State CPA Society News and Updates – Sept. 2024

“The TSCPA Educational & Memorial Foundation scholarship program is a key part of the society’s support for the next generation of CPAs in our state,” said TSCPA President/CEO Kara Fitzgerald, CPA, CGMA, CAE. “I’m so grateful for the generosity of our members, who have allowed us to continue to award scholarships to deserving students year after year.”

The 2024-25 academic year TSCPA Educational & Memorial Foundation scholarship recipients are listed on the TSCPA website at www.tscpa.com/education/college.

Scholarship recipients were selected on the basis of academic achievement, professor recommendation, leadership skills and financial need. For more information about TSCPA Educational & Memorial Foundation scholarships, visit www.tscpa.com/scholarships.

The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA) has opened registration for the 2024 TXCPA Accounting Education Conference. The conference will take place October 18-19 at the Norris Conference Center in San Antonio, TX and will be available on webcast as well.  The cost of the conference is $259 for TXCPA members and $369 for non-members. For more information or to register visit TXCPAs conference page to register.

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) recently announced the rebranding of the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation. Established in 2017, the nonprofit is dedicated to inspiring and supporting students and recent college graduates pursuing their CPA licensure. This rebrand symbolizes the PA CPA Foundation’s commitment to educating and supporting the State’s aspiring CPAs, educators, and accounting leaders.

Each year, the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation reaches over 9,000 students and educators through in-person events, resource sharing, scholarships, and strategic partnerships with CPA firms and Corporations in PA. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded $210,000 in scholarships, providing direct financial support to the future generation of Pennsylvania’s accounting leaders.

Since inception, the foundation’s donor list has grown to over 2,500 individuals. The support from these donors, who include active CPAs, financial executives and business leaders, directly impacts high school and college students, and recent graduates pursuing licensure to help them achieve their career goals. 

The new brand identity aims to elevate the awareness and perception of the accounting profession, inspiring more students to consider a career as a CPA. By highlighting the diverse and rewarding opportunities within the field, the Foundation seeks to ensure a robust pipeline of future talent. 

Over the past year, the Foundation has achieved the following notable accomplishments: 

• $210,000 in Scholarships: Awarded to students pursuing accounting careers.
• Over 3,000 high school and college students are active in the PICPA network. 
• 51 Student Ambassadors proudly represent the foundation and its mission. 
• Hosted 35 high school speaking engagements with accounting leaders and 
• Hosted four major career day events engaging with 1,000+ high school students.
• Successfully launched the first CPA Awareness Week in Pennsylvania bringing attention to the profession’s talent challenges and opportunities. 

Looking ahead, the Foundation plans to expand its outreach programs, partnerships with educational institutions, and launch initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the profession. These efforts will help ensure that the Pennsylvania accounting landscape remains dynamic, inclusive, and equipped to meet the challenges of the future. 

The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) has opened registration for the South Florida Accounting Conference, which will take place November 5-6, 2024 at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West. The conference is $575 until October 5, 2024, with non-members paying $825 though October 5, 2024