December 19, 2013
 

Accounting Career Awareness Program

The primary objective of Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) is to increase the understanding of accounting and business career opportunities among high school students from underrepresented ethnic groups. ACAP began in 1980 when NABA recognized the need for a program that would direct African-Americans and other minorities towards the accounting and finance profession. Recognizing that preparation for a professional career begins in junior and senior high school, NABA designed a pilot program that would be informative, yet go beyond words.   The result was the development of an on-site, interactive enrichment program.

The ACAP program is a one-week residency program for high school students interested in a career in business. Held at a local college or university, the program introduces students to accounting, finance, economics and management through a focused, undergraduate-level program taught by college faculty and guest lecturers from business and government.  During the week, students have the opportunity to attend classes on careers in accounting and business, personal development and college preparation and tour college campuses, local companies, and CPA firms.  The program concludes with the students inviting their parent(s) or guardian(s) to a banquet in commemoration of their completion of the program at the end of the week.

Benefits of ACAP

There are educational and personal development benefits to attending the ACAP Program. Some of the benefits include:

  • Attend technical sessions to learn more about Accounting and Finance as a course of study
  • Meet and hear from a panel of Accounting and Finance professionals from metro Detroit accounting firms and corporations
  • Participate in corporate visits and network with corporate executives
  • Learn the requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the importance of having a CPA certification
  • Network, make new friends and develop personal skills in a real-life college setting
  • Join the ACAP Alumni Association to keep in contact with former ACAP students

ACAP Program Offerings

Today, NABA Chapters offer ACAP programs in more than twenty cities across the country.  Many of the 2016 programs are starting to accept applications, others are still in the process of building their 2016 program.  Here is a list of the Chapters that offered programs last year and/or programs that have already been confirmed for this year.  To learn more about a program, including program details, program contact information and how to apply, click on the links below.

Applications are currently being accepted.  Deadline to apply is April 15.
Applications are currently being accepted. Deadline to apply is June 15.

Through ACAP’s efforts, students have received educational enrichment experiences and practical help needed for college preparation and a career in accounting.

Contact us to receive an application, become a sponsor or learn more about the program.

Amount: Varies

Sponsor: NABA, Inc. Atlanta Chapter

Open Date: Dec 15
Close Date: Apr 08

Scholarship Overview

The National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) – Atlanta Chapter will host the Accounting Career Awareness Program (“ACAP” or the “Program”) in June 2017. This free week long summer residency program provides minority high school students with an exciting opportunity to:

  • Reside on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia for 5 days and 4 nights;
  • Learn about diverse careers in Business Administration focusing on Accounting, and Finance;
  • Visit some of Atlanta’s top Fortune 500 companies to network with Accounting and Finance professionals;
  • Tour select colleges and universities in the Atlanta metropolitan area; and
  • Work with other high school students in a business case study competition.

Application and Selection Process

Students, who are currently in their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average, may complete an application for ACAP. The completed application package includes:

  • The application
  • A current, official academic transcript – sent separately by the registrar or in an envelope sealed by the school official,
  • Two letters of recommendation—letters may be submitted by anyone who knows you well and able to attest to your character, leadership ability, commitment to community service, or academic achievement. This may include someone such as an employer, coach, high school guidance counselor, teacher, principal or mentor. It cannot be your mother, father or guardian, and
  • A brief statement of interest.

Students must complete the entire application package to be considered for ACAP. Incomplete applications will not be considered. There will be no follow-up communication to request information not received by the application deadline.

Select applicants will be invited to an in person interview in the Atlanta area on a date, time and location chosen by the ACAP Committee. Telephone or teleconference interviews are not permissible. The tentative interview date is Saturday, March 18, 2017.

Notifications, including interview details and rejections, will be communicated via electronic mail (e-mail). Please confirm the email addresses provided in the application are accurate and legible. Failure to respond to email correspondence within the requested timeframes will be considered forfeiture of interview time.

If selected to participate in the Program, each student and one parent/guardian must attend an orientation in the Atlanta area tentatively scheduled for the morning of Saturday, May 20, 2017. Students selected for ACAP must also attend the entire Program from check-in on the afternoon of Sunday, June 18 through the awards reception on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Additional rules and regulations will be provided to the students chosen to participate in the Program.

Please note that all mail is received at a PO Box, therefore please do not send application packages that require signature receipt.

Contact

Please email acap@nabaatl.org with any questions. The electronic version of this application is located on the NABA, Inc. Atlanta Chapter website (www.nabaatl.org/acap/).