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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 ACAP Program participation. Some of the benefits include:

  • Introduction to basic skills needed for accounting
  • Develop the proper etiquette needed for interviews, on the job, and the general business environment.
  • Network, make new friends, and develop personal skills in a real-life college setting
  • 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 
  • 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
  • Join the ACAP Alumni Association to keep in contact with former ACAP students
ACAP – National Grant Program 
NABA is pleased to announce the expansion of ACAP by offering grants to colleges and universities to support high school accounting programs through a partnership with the AICPA Foundation.  Through the partnership, colleges and universities will have access to the ACAP - National Grant Program.  The expansion is made possible by major firms who donated funds to the AICPA Foundation.   

The ACAP - National Grant for University Based Programs is open to colleges and universities with accredited accounting and finance programs.  Priority will be given to new ACAP programs as NABA is looking to expand the number of ACAPs across the country.  New ACAP programs will have the opportunity to launch their programs with more resources.  Click the following link to learn more about the on the ACAP National Grant Program .

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO THE ACAP GRANT PROGRAM!

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM IS APRIL 30, 2021. 

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.

ACAP – 2021 Virtual Summer Program
NABA is transitioning its Accounting Career Awareness Programs (ACAP) summer program into it's second year in the digital space. ACAP provides high school students who are interested in attending college, open to considering accounting, finance, or business as a college major or interested in undergoing a sample of the college experience. 

Click here for more information.