December 14, 2017

On October 20, 2017, The Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) hosted the third 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 30 juniors and seniors from nine different high schools in the Atlanta Public School (APS) system and Marietta High School 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. 

Upon arrival, students were greeted by Nicki Kim and Sara Blair of Bennett Thrasher PC. Throughout the day, students heard from accounting professionals in various industries and learned about the CPA profession. GSCPA Past Chair, Barbara Evans welcomed students and Evelyn Rosier, T.O.P. Solutions Group, LLC, kicked off the event with an icebreaker game. According to Ms. Rosier, “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.”

Ragan Evans, Bennett Thrasher PC, presented an informative session on the importance of networking and proper handshakes. During this time, the students practiced what they learned. Next, Abriel Davis, Caraustar Industries, Inc., spoke about her experiences in a session called “A Day in the Life.” Afterward, Adrian Rivers, Bennett Thrasher PC, 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 a networking lunch, a panel of accounting professionals enlightened the students with stories and words of advice. The group consisted of Cromwell Baun, UBS Financial Services, Inc.; Jessica Mytrohovich, The Georgia Society of CPAs; Evelyn Rosier, T.O.P. Solutions Group, LLC; Josh Sanders, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP; and Ken Thrasher, Bennett Thrasher PC. Barbara Evans, GSCPA past chair, served as the moderator. 

Throughout each session, the students were scored by Nikelle Klareich of Smith & Howard and Khari Rosier-Robinson a student member of GSCPA. At the end of the day, all scores were tallied, and as a result, nine students were awarded scholarships. Scholarship contributors included GSCPA (one $1,000 scholarship to a senior and one $500 scholarship to a junior), Smith & Howard – the Jim Howard Scholarships (one $1,000 scholarship to a senior and one $500 scholarship to a junior), Collins/Moody + Company, PC (one $250 scholarship), Karen C. Drescher, CPA, PC (one $500 scholarship), Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs LLC (one $500 scholarship to a senior), Taylor CPA & Associates, PC (one $500 scholarship to a senior), and Physical Exams, Inc. (one $500 scholarship). All monies will be mailed to each student.

For future events, GSCPA will be looking for volunteers, as well as scholarship donations. If you or your firm would like to participate or donate, please contact Callie Hammond at chammond@gscpa.org or 404-504-2953.