Westminster College Hosted Accounting Seminar

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College Department of Economics and Business hosted a dinner and seminar in November for accounting majors and students interested in a career in accounting. The seminar was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

The seminar was held to promote accounting internships, raise awareness and help students prepare for the profession. Topics discussed included: the many career paths for accounting majors, information on the job market and the 150-hour requirement for earning a CPA license. Senior accounting majors also discussed their internships.

"Internships provide career direction and are excellent preparation for entry level employment," said Jesse Ligo, Jr., professor of accounting. "Junior and senior students discussing their internship experiences generated interest and excitement among the underclassmen. Freshmen and sophomores learned the importance and availability of internship opportunities."

Additionally, alumnus Matt Saines `09 gave a presentation on preparations for the CPA exam and the qualities employers are seeking in interns and new hires. He also fielded various questions from the students and faculty in attendance. Saines was a business administration and accounting major. He is currently employed by Hill, Barth & King - an accounting firm specializing in tax, accounting and business consulting services.

The seminar was organized by senior accounting and business administration major Zachary Cramer. He is a son of Steven Cramer and a graduate of DuBois Area High School. Cramer is Westminster's student ambassador for PICPA.

"It is important to have this type of seminar because it provides a great deal of information to the accounting majors about a future career in accounting as well as information obtaining a valuable internship," Cramer said. "This is beneficial to them because it gives them a chance to listen to both students and a professional and hear how they obtained their internships and job, respectively, and what they can expect to experience in these roles."

PICPA was founded in 1897. Its headquarters are in Philadelphia, with a government relations office in Harrisburg and a regional office in Pittsburgh. Its mission is to advance professional competence as well as be an advocate for its CPA members. It also provides students with resources for the CPA exam, scholarships for students, classroom resources for instructors and professional speakers.

The PICPA Student Ambassador Program was created to promote these services. The student ambassador is expected to organize a membership drive each semester, promote PICPA scholarships, host a guest speaker on campus, and more.

Westminster faculty encourage scholarly activities outside the classroom to enhance learning and real-world experience. In addition to internships, accounting and business students at Westminster are given opportunities to participate in faculty research and attend conferences; network with area professionals and alumni from the business department; and participate in several on-campus business and economic organizations, including Students in Free Enterprise, Institute of Management Accountants, Economics Club, and several honorary societies for business and economics.             

Contact Ligo at (724) 946-7167 or email for additional information.

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