High School Students

What do CPAs do and where do they work?
As a CPA, you may find yourself, working for

• A public accounting firm, providing tax, audit, IT, environmental and forensic services
• The FBI, as an agent investigating fraud
• Yourself--operating your own CPA practice from your home
• Everything from a large corporation like Coca-Cola to your local computer store
• Individuals, helping them with their tax, financial and retirement planning
• A nonprofit organization like the Red Cross
• A local college or university teaching accounting courses

Did anybody famous major in accounting?
To name a few:

• John Grisham, bestselling author and attorney
• Arthur Black, CEO at HomeDepot
• Phil Knight, founder of Nike
• Doug Investor, CEO of Coke
• Bob Newhart, actor
• Steve Young, former NFL quarterback

Skills you need
You should be a good communicator, possess strong analytical and computer skills, and have a well-rounded academic background that combines liberal arts, science and a solid accounting and business curriculum. (Notice we didn’t say you have to be a wizard at math?)

How you become a CPA in Maryland

• Complete 150 college credit hours
• Gain a year of real world experience
• Pass a test of business, auditing and general accounting skills.
• Pass the ethics exam
• For more detail, visit the Maryland State Board of Accountancy, http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/ cpa

Where should you go to college?
You should attend any college with an accredited accounting program that qualifies you to sit for the CPA examination. Find a list of Maryland colleges and universities with accounting programs and Maryland community colleges with accounting courses at http://www.tomorrowscpa.org/ highschool/college.html

CPA vs. accountant: Not all accountants are CPAs
While most people use the terms accountant and CPA interchangeably, there’s a big difference. The CPA credential carries enormous weight in business and financial circles. Achieving CPA status takes intelligence, ethics, integrity and lifelong commitment. That means tough business courses at your college or university, then a year of real world experience, and finally a test of business, auditing and general accounting skills. CPAs also are required to follow a strict code of ethics as well as perform within the high standards of the profession. Every two years they must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education to keep up with the new rules and regulations in the financial, accounting and business world.

Is it worth the extra effort? A CPA generally makes an additional 10 percent right off the bat, compared with other professions, and has greater income potential. The CPA profession also commands greater respect and credibility in the business community.

Classes you should take
The following are recommended for a degree in accounting. You’d probably take most of them anyway:

High School
Introductory Accounting
English & Writing
Computer Sciences
Mathematics
Economics
Foreign Language
Fine Arts
History

College
Behavioral Sciences
Communications
Ethics
Economics
Accounting
Computer Sciences
Statistics
Finance
Marketing
Business Law
International Relations

Remember, all work and no play is no good. Don’t forget extracurricular activities, such as after-school clubs and organizations, music, church activities, athletics, community service.

• Curious about a CPA career?
  These Web sites are chockfull of information about the CPA and how to become one.
• www.tomorrowscpa.org
• www.aicpa.org
• www.startheregoplaces.com
• www.thiswaytocpa.com
• www.smartpros.com/accountingstudents.xml

How can you get a jump on this exciting career?
Join Tomorrow’s CPA today…it’s free!

Questions? Contact MACPA at 800-782-2036
or TCPA@macpa.org.