Careers in Accounting Questions

• Does the PICPA offer student memberships?
• How do I get a copy of your Internship Directory?
• How do I get information about the PICPA's Student Writing Competition?
• Which schools have the best accounting programs in Pennsylvania?
• Does the PICPA have any resources to assist me with a speaking engagement?
• Does the PICPA offer scholarships?
• Does Pennsylvania require 150-hours of education to sit for the CPA exam?
• I want to take the CPA Exam. How do I find out if I am eligible to sit for the exam?
• I am speaking at a local high school on careers in accounting. Does the PICPA have any information to assist me?

Q: Does the PICPA offer student memberships?
A: Students attending Pennsylvania colleges and universities are eligible for Student Affiliate memberships. The fee is $10 per academic year, and students are eligible up to one year after graduation. Students who attend a Careers in Accounting event receive a free Student Affiliate membership. Student Affiliates receive a copy of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal and information on chapter events and programs. To become a Student Affiliate, go to www.cpazone.org/affiliates

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Q: How do I get a copy of your Internship Directory?
A: The Internship Directory is located on, www.CPAzone.org, on our Career Resources page. (The Internship Directory replaced the previous CROP directory in 2000.) The Internship Directory is an exclusive benefit of Student Affiliate members so a member number is needed to access it. It is also member benefit to any member firm that would like to list an internship. You can enter your county in Pennsylvania and other specifics, such as paid/unpaid internship, to search for available positions. The directory is updated whenever new opportunities arise, so check the site often.

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Q: How do I get information about the PICPA's Student Writing Competition?
A: For information on the Student Writing Competition, access www.CPAzone.org, then follow the link to Events and Programs, and click on Student Writing Competition.

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Q: Which schools have the best accounting programs in Pennsylvania?
A: The PICPA does not recommend one school over another. We suggest researching the school for accreditation, faculty-student ratio, and other areas of interest. A list of Pennsylvania schools offering accounting degrees and graduate degrees is located on CPAzone.org.

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Q: I am speaking at a local high school on careers in accounting. Does the PICPA have any information to assist me?
A: The PICPA has materials to aid CPA members with their speaking engagements at high schools and colleges, including an accounting careers video. To fill the request, we need the member's name, address, phone number, date of speech, number of students, and school/college name. The Careers in Accounting Team at (215) 496-9272 can provide you with sufficient materials.

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Q: Does the PICPA offer scholarships?
A: Twenty new scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Pennsylvania colleges and universities through the Multi-Year Scholarship program. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000 and can be renewed annually until the completion of a recipient's degree, provided each student pursues a full-time accounting degree and maintains a 3.0 or above GPA. Two scholarships are one-time awards of $1,000 each: the Joseph Taricani Scholarship and the Paychex Scholarship.

The Elizabeth C. and John L. Ricketts graduate scholarship is a $5,000 award given over two years to a full-time graduate student attending a Pennsylvania college or university. Many PICPA chapters also offer their own accounting scholarships.

Scholarship applications are available at our student Web site www.CPAzone.org in the Events and Programs section. Any full-time undergraduate students majoring in accounting at a Pennsylvania college or university may apply. Students must fill out the application and ask a faculty member or other reference to fill out the recommendation section. Both pieces should be sent along with an official transcript to:

Careers in Accounting Team
PICPA
1650 Arch Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2099

The deadline for application was March 17. 2007 applications will be available in January 2007.

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Q: Does Pennsylvania require 150-hours of education to sit for the CPA exam?
A: As of right now the 150 hour requirement has not passed however, may be mandated for CPA certificate applicants after January 1, 2010. The 150 hours of college education would have to be completed through a combination of undergraduate and/ or graduate study. You do not need to accumulate the 150 hours prior to taking the uniform CPA Exam. You may continue to accumulate college credit after receiving your undergraduate degree. Once you have 150 hours of college education, passed the uniform CPA Exam and met experience requirements, you may apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy for a CPA certificate.

The 150 hour requirement would not apply to an individual who successfully completed one or more parts of the CPA Exam prior to December 31, 2009.

Visit http://www.cpazone.org/exam/150-hour for full education requirements and updates.

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Q: I want to take the CPA exam. How do I found out if I am eligible to sit for the exam?
A: All education credit requirements to sit for computerized CPA exam in Pennsylvania, plus other details regarding the administration of the test can be found at http://www.cpazone.org/exam/requirements/index.asp. Additional resources for candidates, members and employers can be found at http://www.picpa.org/exam. Specific questions should be directed to the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy, the governing body that regulates licensure and certification of CPAs.

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Q: I am speaking at a local high school on careers in accounting. Does the PICPA have any information to assist me?
A: The PICPA has materials to aid CPA members with their speaking engagements at high schools and colleges, including a Careers in Accounting Handbook and other online resources. To request more information and materials to aid you in your presentation, we need the member's name, address, phone number, date of speech, number of students, and school/college name. Please send this to the Careers in Accounting Team at (215) 496-9272 or e-mail at schools@picpa.org can provide you with sufficient materials.

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