Careers in Accounting and Financepresented by

Odell L. Brown, CIA, CPA, PHR

Odell L. Brown, CIA, CPA, PHR

• Current Role:– Owner of MPrints (Career Awareness; Career Development)

• Retired from Southwest Airlines

• Prior Work Experiences:– Human Resources & Training– Adjunct Professor– Corporate Accounting– Internal Auditing– Public Accounting

Who Wants To….

• Make a lot of money

• Travel to a lot of places

• Meet a lot of interesting people

• Own your business

• Work with computers

Accounting Careers

• Public Accounting • Corporate Accounting • Tax Accounting • Entrepreneur • Professor/Academia • Non-Profit • Information Technology

Primary Job-Related Skills

• Good knowledge of accounting and finance

• Excellent computer skills• 10-key by touch• Attention to detail• Strong organizational skills• Excellent communication skills• Strong analytical skills

Primary Job-Related Skills, Continued

• Excellent project management skills• Ability to handle multiple projects at

once• Strong leadership skills• Know how to coach and mentor others• Ability to build great teams• Ability to think strategically

Some Job-Related Values for Success

• Strong desire to succeed (motivated from within)• Strong work ethic• Ability to handle confidential information• Flexible• Perseverance• Ability to network• In a nutshell:

– Technically competent– Socially acceptable– Politically astute

Some Rewards of Accounting Careers

• Financial prosperity (you can make a lot of money)

• Access to confidential or proprietary information

• Exposure to:– Diversity (people and environments)– Senior leaders at major companies– Various technology/systems

• Travel• Network with like-minded professionals• Multiple job opportunities

Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)

http://www.dallasacap.com/acap-videos.html

Accounting…For All Seasons of Your Life

High School College

Professional

Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)*:

• Introduction to Careers in Accounting & Business• Exposure to College Life• Exposure to Accounting Professionals• Corporate Tour• Networking Opportunities• Working in Teams• Mentoring Opportunities• Scholarship Dollars• Interactions with other High School Students• Targeted Curriculum

NABA Student Chapter*:• Internships/Job Opportunities• Interviews & Interviewing Skills Workshops• Exposure to Accounting & Business Careers• Exposure to Accounting Professionals• Mentoring Opportunities• Scholarship Dollars• Interactions with other college students• Seminars and Workshops

*Program or activity sponsored by the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA). For additional information on NABA, go to the following websites: www.nabainc.org (National); www.nabadfw.org (DFW Chapter of NABA); www.dallasacap.com for ACAP application , scholarship application, etc. You may also contact Dallas ACAP at P.O. Box 88, Frisco, TX, TX 75034.

NABA Professional Chapter Member:• Career Opportunities in Accounting and Business• Exposure to the Big 4 Accounting Firms• Exposure to Seasoned Business Professionals• Mentoring Opportunities• Exposure to various industries and working environments• Advancement Opportunities at various levels within the

firms/corporations• Consideration for positions on corporate and non-profit boards• Unlimited opportunities in technical and skills training• Networking Opportunities

Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)What is ACAP? Dallas ACAP Success Stories

Partial Listing:

•568 students graduated since inception in 2001•Range of class size -- 20 students to 62 students•Average GPA approximates 3.4•Repeat students each year (stay in pipeline)•Scholarship dollars awarded each year approximate $5,000.•Students come from approximately 30 different high schools.•Former ACAP students serve as Counselors•Participants include siblings and NABA member children•Approximately 80% of ACAP graduates major in business•Dallas ACAP is a premier NABA program•Dallas ACAP celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2010•Dallas ACAP was held on the following campuses: UNT (2001); TWU (2002 and 2003); SMU (2004 – Present); UTD & SMU (2011 & 2012).

For additional information on ACAP, go to the Dallas ACAP website: www.dallasacap.com. The Dallas ACAP address is Dallas ACAP, P.O. Box 88, Frisco, TX 75034. The ACAP Director is Maria Bean, CPA. You many contact her at dfwacap2013@yahoo.com or at 214-529-1834. The Executive Director is Odell Brown, CIA, CPA, PHR. You may contact him at odellbrown72@gmail.com or at 214-212-9374.

ACAP is a career development program designed by NABA for minority high school students at all grade levels.

During a week-long residency camp, a select group of students explore careers in accounting and business. ACAP steers students toward these vocations and guides them through career decisions.

The program is fully supervised, all-expenses paid (no cost to selected students),supported by donations from leading business professionals and grants from a number of NABA corporate partners.

Students selected for ACAP receive free tuition, room and board, books, materials, tours, and mentoring. Candidates must complete an application, obtain personal references, and write an essay. Students will also compete for scholarships.

2014 Key Dates:•September/October 2013 Initial High School Visits, Marketing•February 2014 High School Visits; Revisits•April 14, 2014 Deadline for Applications•April 30 Screening of Student Applications•April 26, May 3, 2014 Student Interviews•May 17, 2014 Notification of Student Acceptance•May 24, 2014 Student/Parent Orientation•June 8 – 13, 2014 ACAP Week 2014

ACAP 2014 Student Selections ProcessTargeted Audience: High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors

Students/Parents Orientation (May 24) Students Selected & Notified (May 16)

Step 1: Students submit application, essay, reference letters and transcript by deadline date as directed.

Step 2: Applications and other paperwork are reviewed for completeness, accuracy, etc. Students are notified of incomplete paperwork; follow up is done.

Step 3: Students who meet established criteria and completed paperwork are scheduled for interviews. Students are notified of status by phone.

Student Applications

Submitted (Feb 1 – Apr 14)Applications Reviewed (Apr 14- 30) Interviews Scheduled

(Apr 30)

Interviews Conducted (April 26; May 3)

Step 4: Students are interviewed; parents are briefed of interviewing process. Optional interview dates are communicated and confirmed.

ACAP Week (June 8 - 13)

Step 5: Students are selected and notified of their acceptance or rejection.

Step 6: Students and parents are invited to the Students/Parents Orientation.

Step 7: Students participate in ACAP Week.

ACAP Week: June 8 – 13, 2014Pre-ACAP Week:

Date Activity Saturday, April 26 Saturday, May 3

Student Interviews

Saturday, May 24 Students/Parents Orientation

ACAP Week:

Date Activity Sunday, June 8 Counselors Check-In

Students Check-in Opening Reception Get-Acquainted Activities

All Week: June 9 – 13 Classroom: Facilitated Lectures (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Monday, June 9 Executive Roundtable/Dinner Alumni Night

Tuesday, June 10 Computer Lab: Group Project Young Professionals Panel

Wednesday, June 11 Corporate Tour(s) Rap Session: Keeping It Real Social Activity

Thursday, June 12 Computer Lab: Group Project Group Presentations Talent Show

Friday, June 13 Closing Luncheon Students Check-Out Counselors Check-Out

Questions

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ryxfmwoepm6b9hq/Invest_in_Your_Future.mp4

For ACAP application and additional information: www.dallasacap.com