Accounting Career Awareness Program

Thank you for a great program. Details regarding our 2022 season will be released in the Fall.

Sunday, June 26 - Friday, July 1, 2022 | 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 minority students. The goal of the Accounting Career Awareness Program, which is 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.

ACAP began in 1980 when NABA recognized the need for a program that would direct African Americans and other minorities 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.

Applications CLOSED

Program Eligibility

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 in order to participate. Our application, a current copy of your academic transcript and at least two counselor/teacher letters of recommendation must be received by April 30 to be considered.

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

Schedule & Dates

Important Dates:

Residential Move-In: Sunday, June 26 from 11:00am - 4:00pm
Orientation: Sunday, June 26 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Residential Move-Out: Friday, July 1 (late evening)

Class Outlook:

During the week, students have the opportunity to 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. The below schedule is subject to change until the start of the program.

Sunday, June 26:

Starting a Business table
7:00pm - 8:30pm	Starting A Business
8:30pm - 10:30pm	Team Assignments and Team Building

Monday, June 27:

Accounting as a Career Choice table
8:15am - 9:45am	Accounting as a Career Choice
10:00am - 10:45am	The Language of Business, Part 1
11:00am - 11:45am	The Language of Business, Part 2
12:00pm - 1:30pm	Lunch / Break
1:30pm - 2:15pm	Financial Literacy - Part 1
2:30pm - 3:15pm	Financial Literacy - Part 2

Tuesday, June 28:

Scholarship / Financial Aid / College Applications table
8:15am - 9:15am	Scholarship / Financial Aid / College Application
9:30am - 10:45am	Personal Branding and Effective Written Communication
10:45am - 12:00pm	Learning Great Study Habits
12:00pm - 1:30pm	Lunch / Break
2:00pm - 5:00pm	Team Presentations Development

Wednesday, June 29:

Art of Public Speaking table
8:30am - 11:45am	The Art of Public Speaking
12:00pm - 12:45pm	Lunch / Break
1:00pm - 3:30pm	Interviewing Skills / Non-Verbal Communications
3:45pm - 4:45pm	Break
5:00pm - 7:00pm	Business Etiquette Workshop and Dinner with Professionals
7:30pm - 10:30pm	Team Presentations Development

Thursday, June 30:

Field Trip to Public Accounting Firms table
8:00am - 1:00pm	Field Trip to (2) Public Accounting Firms & Lunch
1:00pm - 2:30pm	Team Presentations Development
2:45pm - 5:15pm	Field Trip to (1) Public Accounting Firm
5:00pm - 10:00pm	Team 1-on-1 Sessions with Sally Chopping

Friday, July 1:

Pursuing Your Passion table
8:15am - 9:00am	Pursuing Your Passion
9:15am - 10:45am	The Second Language of Business, Information Technology
10:45am - 11:10am	Week Reflections Essay
11:30am - 1:30pm	Real Talk with Real Professionals
2:00pm - 5:00pm	Team Presentations Development
5:00pm - 6:00pm	Prepare for Dinner
6:00pm - 9:00pm	Closing Ceremony (Dinner, Guest Speaker, Presentations)

Meet your Instructors

Past Speakers:
CLA Pittsburgh
C.S. McKee
Dicks Sporting Goods
Ernst & Young
Huntington
Maher Duessel
Point Park University
Admissions Counselor
Career Services
Center for Student Success
Rowland School of Business
PwC Pittsburgh
Sisterson

Benefits

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

Cost

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.

Location

Welcome to our campus!

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

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

Living on Campus

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 advisers live on campus to supervise students who are minors. Each adviser is responsible for eight to ten minors.

Student Experience

Meet Malaki Davis, an 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."

Accounting Alumnus Malaki Davis is an Internal Revenue Agent

Become a Point Park Student

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.