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Now accepting applications for our 2024 Accelerated Career Awareness Program!   Apply Here!

Sun. June 23 - Friday, June 28, 2024 | On-Ground - Residential


The field of accounting has been identified as one of the fastest-growing professions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. Yet studies have shown that there has been declining enrollment in accounting and finance among underrepresented students. The goal of the Accelerated Career Awareness Program, part of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., (NABA) is to increase the understanding of accounting career opportunities among high school students in underrepresented minority groups. 

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ACAP began in 1980 when NABA recognized the need for a program that would direct African Americans and other underrepresented groups toward the accounting and finance profession. Through ACAP, students throughout the United States have received educational enrichment experiences and practical help needed for college preparation and a career in accounting.

Read more about the experience of our 2023 students HERE



 

2024 Applications are now open! Students must apply and be accepted into the program before registering.

This program is only open to on-ground, residential students only. No commuter options are available. 

Recognizing that preparation for a professional career begins in junior and senior high school, NABA designed a one-week summer program for qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school.

All interested students must apply and be accepted into the program prior to registering.

No prior experience is necessary to participate. Our application and at least two counselor/teacher letters of recommendation must be received to be considered. 

All travel costs to get to the Pittsburgh area are at the discretion of the chosen applicant. 

Important Dates:

Residential Move-In: Sunday, June 23 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Orientation
 (required for all students, optional for parents)Sunday, June 23 from 4:00pm - 4:30pm 

Residential Move-Out: 
Friday, June 28 (late evening)

 

Class Outlook:

The below schedule is subject to change until the start of the program. 

During the week, students will attend classes on careers in accounting and business, personal development and college preparation; tour local companies and CPA firms; and invite their parent(s) or guardian(s) to a banquet in commemoration of their completion of the program.

Breakfast occurs daily from 8:30am - 9:00am. 
All students must be in their rooms at 10:00pm each night. 


Sunday, June 23: 

Starting a Business table
3:00pm - 4:00pm Check-In / Residential Move-In
4:00pm - 4:30pm Orientation (required for all students, optional for parents)
4:30pm - 5:15pm Accounting as a Career Choice Presentation (required for all students, optional for parents)
5:15pm - 6:00pm

Dinner (required for all students, optional for parents)

*Parents dismissed at 6:00pm

6:15pm - 7:30pm Downtown Scavenger Hunt
7:45pm - 8:30pm Team Assignments and Team Building 
8:30pm - 9:00pm Evening Reflections Assignment


Monday, June 24: 

Monday Schedule
8:00am - 8:45am Breakfast
9:00am - 9:15am Morning Announcements, Housekeeping & Pep Rally
9:30am - 11:30am The Language of Business (Starting a Business/Case Study)
11:45am - 1:45pm Travel + Firm Visit/Lunch + Learn: A Day in the Life
2:00pm - 3:00pm Break
3:00pm - 5:00pm The Language of Business (Journal Entries/Case Study)
5:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner
6:00pm - 8:00pm Ice Cream Social & Networking Tips (Interview Scenarios)
8:00pm - 9:00pm Evening Reflection Assingment


Tuesday, June 25: 

Scholarship / Financial Aid / College Applications table
8:00am - 8:45am Breakfast
9:00am - 9:15am Morning Announcements, Housekeeping & Pep Rally
9:15am - 10:15am The Audit Life Cycle Explained
10:30am - 11:15am Professional Headshots
11:30am - 1:30pm Travel + Firm Lunch & Learn: Interviewing Skills/Non-Verbal Comm.
1:45pm - 2:45pm Break
2:45pm - 3:00pm Pep Rally
3:00pm - 4:00pm What is an Ideal Accounting Professional?
4:00pm - 5:15pm The Language of Business (Financial Statements/Case Study)
5:15pm - 10:00pm Pirates Game & Networking with PPU Students & Alumni


Wednesday, June 26: 

Art of Public Speaking table
8:00am - 8:45am Breakfast
8:45am - 9:00am Morning Announcements, Housekeeping & Pep Rally
9:00am - 11:15am Travel & Firm Visit: Cyber Security in the World of Accounting
11:45am - 12:45pm Lunch/Break
12:45pm - 1:00pm Afternoon Pep Rally
1:00pm - 2:30pm Art of Public Speaking
2:45pm - 4:30pm The Language of Business (Ratio Analysis/Case Study)
5:15pm - 7:00pm Business Etiquette Workshop and Dinner w. Professionals
7:30pm - 8:30pm Evening Reflections Assignment

 

Thursday, June 27: 

Field Trip to Public Accounting Firms table
8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast w. Sisterson
9:15am - 10:00am Mental Health Session
10:15am - 11:30am Financial Literacy
11:45am - 1:45pm Travel & Firm Lunch and Learn
2:00pm - 3:00pm Break
3:00pm - 3:15pm Afternoon Pep Rally
3:15pm - 4:00pm Scholarship/Financial Aid/College Application
4:00pm - 4:45pm Learning Great Study Habits
5:00pm - 6:00pm Presentation Development
6:00pm - 7:00pm Presentation Practice & Pizza
7:00pm - 8:00pm End of Day Reflection Assignment

 

Friday, June 28: 

Pursuing Your Passion table
8:00am - 8:45am Breakfast
9:00am - 9:15am Morning Announcements, Housekeeping & Pep Rally
9:15am - 11:15am Community Service
11:45am - 1:00pm Lunch w. Counselors
1:00pm - 1:45pm Week Reflections Essay & Record Sponsor Thank You Videos
2:00pm - 3:00pm Team Presentations Development
4:00pm - 5:30pm Residential Move-Out
5:30pm - 7:00pm Closing Ceremony (required for all students, parents are encouraged t attend)


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View our 2024 Sponsors:


Huntington Bank Logo

          PricewaterhouseCooper Logo                    Financial Executives International Pittsburgh Chapter Logo                Point Park University Rowland School of Business Logo    CS McKee Logo           Ernst and Young Logo             GYF-Logo_CMYK_Sq_300dpi-2.jpg      Sisterson Company Logo    Maher Duessel Logo        KPMG_NoCP_RGB.jpg        K,-K--K-logo.png

 

 

Benefits of the ACAP Summer Program

The ACAP Summer Program introduces students to the accounting, business, economics and finance professions through an educational and interactive curriculum involving accounting, business, economics and finance professionals, University faculty and business, government and community mentors.

Other key benefits include:

  • Preparing students to pursue higher education (college application process, FAFSA, scholarships)
  • Informing students about career opportunities available in accounting, business and finance
  • Teaching skill sets relevant to the field of business (interview skills, resume building, dining etiquette, etc.)
  • Connecting students with accounting and business professionals and mentors

This program is free to high school students who have applied and been accepted into the program. Sponsorship is graciously provided by Point Park University and local Corporate Sponsors. Some cash is recommended for snacks, drinks and/or off-campus activities.

Welcome to our campus!

All classes will be held on campus at Point Park University.

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Address: 
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

All students are required to live on campus and must be at least 14 years old.

Each residence hall has multiple points of secure access to student living areas, such as keycards, access codes, and lock and key. Adult resident assistants (usually current Point Park students) live on campus to supervise students who are minors. Each resident assistant is responsible for eight to ten minors. 

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Meet
Malaki Davis
Accounting PPU alumnus working as an internal revenue agent for the IRS.

"I was always interested in the idea of accounting, but until ACAP, I wasn’t sure exactly what career options it offered. I like to learn new things and expand my knowledge, and ACAP taught me the main function of accounting is to keep track of financial information, review it and report it. There are so many options and career paths you can pursue with accounting, and you can move anywhere with it."

Meet Xiaohui and Xiaoli Li
2021 ACAP Participant

"Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to participate in ACAP! We learned a lot about accounting and gained much valuable insight into this field. It was really interesting hearing the guest speakers' perspectives and advice on various topics. We will definitely continue to explore and learn more about accounting as a career.“ 

Meet Alyson Ngo
2021 ACAP Participant

"Thank you once again for this amazing opportunity. I do feel like this program helped me gain a better understanding of accounting and also how the industry operates in general. Not only that but I’ll be sure to broaden my network with the speakers that have taught me so much. Thank you! I appreciate the effort you, Amy, Heidi, and an any other staff members put into this to make it possible. Hope to come in contact with you in the near future!“ 

As an undergraduate student at Point Park, you’ll have access to opportunities only a world-class city can offer — and few universities can match — for a real-world, career-oriented education. Consider an undergraduate degree from the Rowland School of Business

Community and Summer Education Contact Information
PCP_Logo_Green Email summercamps@pointpark.edu
Call 412-392-3456
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