A New Jersey Senate resolution designates the week of Nov. 6-12 as Certified Public Accountants Week.

Senate Resolution 101 – sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22, and Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho, R-24 – unanimously passed the full Senate in October.

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) says the designation complements its Career Awareness program, which connects members with students and faulty at high schools to encourage young people to enter the accounting field. Dozens of New Jersey CPAs will visit high schools throughout the state to offer insight into the accounting profession, including the courses necessary to become a CPA, what role accountants play in businesses and what they can do with a degree in that field.

The presentations will also make students aware of scholarship opportunities available through the NJCPA Scholarship Fund, which awards $1,500 scholarships to college-bound New Jersey high school seniors who intend to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in the field. The fund also awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,500 to accounting students at New Jersey colleges or universities who are currently in their sophomore or junior year, or in their senior year and entering an accounting-related graduate program.

In 2022, the fund awarded $230,000 in scholarships to more than 55 high school and college students.

Last month, NJBIZ chronicled a first-in-the-nation pilot program taking place in New Jersey between Saint Peter’s University and PwC that allows students to get their final 30 credits of the 150 credits needed to enter the field via a paid internship (see index at left).

“CPAs are the unsung heroes of the business world,” said Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and executive director at the NJCPA. “The NJCPA appreciates the efforts of Sen Oroho and Senate President Scutari in recognizing the integrity, objectivity, and professionalism of thousands of New Jersey CPAs who help foster economic growth across the state.”

More information about CPA week is available here.