Earlier this month, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants welcomed more than 50 college accounting students to its offices in Roseland.

The inaugural Accelerating Scholars in Accounting event provided the students from colleges and universities and county colleges in New Jersey and beyond with interactive discussions about the accounting profession and becoming a CPA. Topics included:

• Cultivating a positive mindset for success
• How to sharpen one’s professional presence
• The CPA exam
• Scholarships
• Networking
• How to enhance one’s personal brand
• A Business Chemistry workshop conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP

The event was sponsored by CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), CohnReznick, Deloitte Foundation, Mazars, WilkinGuttenplan, Wiss and Withum. It marked a continued effort by NJCPA to support students and the next generation of CPAs, including awarding more than $7 million in scholarships to high school and college students since the inception of its Scholarship Fund (in the 1960s), which has supported more than 1,700 New Jersey students on their way to becoming CPAs.

NJCPA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Aiysha (AJ) Johnson had some advice and wisdom for the students.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. The reality is if you fail, you have time to try again,” said Johnson. “Stay focused and don’t give up. It’s wonderful to see such enthusiastic future accounting professionals. We are grateful to our members who helped make this event happen.”

More than 50 amazing #accounting students attended the @NJCPA inaugural Accelerating Scholars in Accounting (ASA) event on May 16 at our office in Roseland. The students were engaged, curious and passionate. The future of the accounting profession is bright! pic.twitter.com/Ywi5QiMU9v

— Aiysha (AJ) Johnson (@NJCPA_CEO) May 28, 2024

“The Accelerating Scholars event provided the perfect setting for gaining the professional skills needed to succeed in the accounting industry,” said Joseph Hunt, manager at CLA, incoming chair of the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council and a session volunteer at the event. “I left the event knowing that the group of participants was inspired to make an impact! Thank you to the NJCPA for playing such an important role in the future of our next generation.”