ACADEMICS
Two innovative education programs target PhD candidates and high school students
ACCOUNTING DOCTORAL PROGRAM
The AICPA-run Accounting Doctoral Scholars (ADS) program will be funding PhD students in universities across the country this fall.
The program was started by the largest accounting firms in 2008, in response to the growing shortage of PhD accounting faculty in auditing and tax in United States colleges and universities.
To date, nearly $17 million has been pledged toward the program by more than 65 of the country’s largest accounting firms and 45 state CPA societies.
While no Rhode Island schools currently participate in the program, funding can be found at nearby schools such as Bentley University, University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, Rutgers and others.
“I wanted the opportunity to further explore various nuances of accounting that I felt warranted investigation,” said CPA and accounting doctoral student Denise Hanes, enrolled at Bentley University. “That combined with my love of the university setting, particularly the energy students offer in the classroom, motivated me to pursue a career in academia.”
Previously, Hanes worked as a CPA in PricewaterhouseCoopers. She said she found the job “both rewarding and challenging,” but envisioned herself teaching and researching at a university. Thanks to the ADS funding, she is now in her second year of the four-year program that will culminate in a dissertation.
Another CPA, Aaron Saiewitz, is currently enrolled in his second year of the ADS program at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. He’s working toward his PhD in Accounting, specializing in behavioral research in accounting and auditing.
“I was previously a partner in a small firm in New Jersey, and started teaching as an adjunct at a local university,” Saiewitz said. “After speaking to the other professors, I decided that this was something I really wanted to do full time.”
He said the work is very demanding – even more taxing than the busy season in his previous career. But it’s rewarding and will lead him toward his career goal of becoming an accounting professor.
“I’m hoping to join the faculty of a research university, conduct research in auditing and accounting and teach the ‘next generation’ of accountants,” he said.
FINANCIAL LITERACY IN HIGH SCHOOL
A few issues back we brought you a story about an innovative program designed to help high school kids learn important facts and strategies about credit cards, budgeting, car loans and other essentials in managing personal finances.
The program, “CASH for Success (Colleges and Schools Headed for Success),” groups college accounting students with accounting professionals to go in teams into high school classrooms to explain the financial issues that affect young people, and offer helpful tips and advice for getting off to a good start from the beginning of adulthood.
“What Counts” caught up with one of the program’s leaders, Elizabeth Cannata, who chairs RISCPA’s Cooperation with Education Institutions Committee.
Cannata said CASH for Success has been going really well so far and has a full plate, with about a dozen sessions scheduled over the course of the next several months. Generally a session runs an hour, and is led by two college students and one or two professionals.
“I was just meeting with a high school teacher from West Warwick, and he was just thrilled going over the program,” Cannata said. “Part of his excitement is that the subject matter would be delivered by college kids, rather than the older teacher playing the parent role. It’s college students telling it like it is.”
Cannata said CASH for Success is always looking for more volunteers, both college students and professionals. If you want to get involved, feel free to contact RISCPA for more information.
