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School of Business Hosts PICPA Accounting Internship Seminar

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Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Westminster's Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) campus representative Sarah M. Smith '18 organized a panel of senior accounting majors to discuss accounting career paths; the value of internships; graduating with 150 credits in four years and preparing for the CPA exam. The panel discussion was held on March 13, and provided an opportunity for students to learn more about their field. Panelists included seniors Joan J. Richardson ’18, Nataleigh R. Kerr ’18, Megan E. Peluso ’18 and Nickolas A. Dickson ’18. Associate Advisor at JFS Wealth Advisors and 2016 graduate Sean Gibbon, CPA, was a special guest panelist, and stressed the importance of networking, perseverance, communication and passing the CPA exam. 

Though passing the CPA exam may seem like a lofty feat, professor and chair of the School of Business Jesse Ligo, CPA/MBA, stated accounting majors benefit from working closely with their academic advisors/professors who are all licensed CPAs.

"Westminster’s accounting professors help students develop and execute their plans for obtaining internships; graduating in four years with 150 credit hours; and building strong foundations to pass the Uniform CPA Exam," added Ligo. 

All of the students panelists involved in the dicussion completed interships and expect to graduate from Westminster in four years with the 150 credit hours required for licensure. Also, all but one have already accepted job offers before returning to campus for their final Spring semester. 

The PICPA 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.

For more information, contact Ligo at ligojr@westminster.edu or 724-946-7167.