On November 7, 2016, The Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) hosted the second annual Rising Professionals Program. The goal of the program is to inspire high school students to become certified public accountants (CPAs) and to expand each student’s knowledge of the accounting profession. The program was first organized by Smith & Howard and was known as SHARP (Smith & Howard Advancement for Rising Professionals).

Nearly 20 juniors and seniors from 11 different high schools in the Atlanta Public School (APS) system attended. Teachers and counselors from each high school selected students to apply, and a group of volunteers evaluated each application to determine which students met the required criteria to participate in the event.

"The GSCPA Diversity and Inclusion Task Force is committed to generating awareness of the CPA profession among students. The GSCPA Rising Professional Program is a prime example of providing high school students with an opportunity to interact with CPAs, entrepreneurs and financial advisors. The day is full of activities, understanding, and realization of the importance and variety a CPA career offers. This program was a success thanks to all the participants and volunteers."

- Barbara Evans, CPA, GSCPA chair  

Throughout the day, students heard from accounting professionals in various industries and learned about the CPA profession. GSCPA Chair Barbara Evans welcomed students and Evelyn Rosier, Top Solutions Group, LLC, kicked off the event with an icebreaker game. Danielle Hile, Clausell & Associates, PC, presented an informative session on the importance of networking and proper handshakes. During this time, the students practiced what they learned. Next, Jessica Mytrohovich, GSCPA director of finance, spoke about her experiences in a session called “A Day in the Life.” Afterward, Abriel Davis, Caraustar Industries, Inc., led the group in a team-building exercise called “Pins and Straws.” During this session, the students were assigned different roles to play. The leader was instructed to secretly use one of three management styles: dictator, laissez-faire or democratic. Each group worked together to build a structure using only newspaper, tape, drinking straws, and straight pins. After the students had finished, everyone reconvened to vote on the best structure.

After a networking lunch, a panel of accounting professionals enlightened the students with stories and words of advice. The group consisted of Barbara Evans, GSCPA chair; Jeff Morris, National Association of Black Accountants Atlanta Chapter president; and ‎Charlie Merritt, manager, equipment and parts finance, The Coca-Cola Company. Tabitha Jones, CPA/PFS, CFP, tax partner, Henning, Dowdy & Jones, LLC, served as the moderator.

"The life of a CPA can be as dynamic as you desire. We are an integral part of the business community. We are no longer the 'bean counters', we grow the beans."

-Evelyn Rosier, CPA, CGMA, PMP

The final session of the day, titled “Spin for Success,” was run by Liz Walsh, Smith & Howard Wealth Management, and Scott Collins, Collins/Moody & Company, PC. During this session, Mr. Collins and Ms. Walsh divided the students into two groups. Each student spun a wheel which randomly selected different cards. Each student was asked to read the card which fostered the discussion of different careers within accounting.

Throughout each session, the students were scored by Lauren Starks and Stephanie Roberts of Smith & Howard Wealth Management. At the end of the day, all scores were tallied, and as a result, five students were awarded scholarships. Scholarship contributors included GSCPA (one $1,000 scholarship to a senior and one $500 scholarship to a junior), Smith & Howard (one $1,000 scholarship to a senior and one $500 scholarship to a junior), and Clausell & Associates, PC (one $500 scholarship to a senior). All monies will be presented at each student’s honors day in the spring.