Video Guide

About This Video

Every certified public accountant (CPA) has a story to tell. Each story is different and yet all CPAs share a special kinship. This video was created to celebrate both the differences and the common bonds. Together they paint a big and colorful picture:

• The crucial role CPAs play in Texas business and our communities
• Career advantages of seeking this powerful credential
• The tremendous diversity of career paths and personal history among CPAs

Our goal was to fit all the pieces together in a message that will resonate with different audiences … students and youth groups who would benefit from being made aware of this career path … non-certified accountants who are missing out on professional opportunities for growth and advancement … business and civic organizations who may be unaware of CPAs’ many contributions and willingness to contribute.

Presentation Tips

It’s a good idea to tailor your dialogue to the group you’re addressing by being familiar with both your audience and the speakers on the video.

Here are some sample remarks:

“I’m pleased to be here with (name of group) on (occasion). I would like to begin by sharing a short video featuring some of our CPA leaders around the state who are passionate about what being a CPA has meant to them professionally and personally. Please make a note of any topics you find interesting and we’ll discuss them further after we listen to this. I’d like you to pay particular attention to the kinds of contributions CPAs get the chance to make in business and in their communities. (play video)

Thank you for your attention. I hope this gives you a better idea of the scope of the accounting profession, of the diversity of CPAs’ career paths and personal histories.

What parts of these stories jumped out at you? What questions do you have?”

Now, empty silence following a suggestion for feedback is quite awkward, so you may choose to preempt this possibility. Even if audience members want to speak up, most people are reluctant to be the first to do so. So think of some questions you can place on index cards prior to the presentation and arrange for several audience participants to ask during the Q&A session. This breaks the ice, primes the pump, and gives others a chance to practice public speaking as well.

Possible Questions

What doors, both professional and personal, might open for me as a result of becoming a CPA?

What are some of the ways CPAs get involved with their communities?

How would becoming a CPA give me a competitive advantage?

What are some of the different career paths that would be available to me as a CPA?

How would becoming a CPA enable me to achieve the kind of lifestyle I want?

What’s the first step I need to take toward becoming a CPA?

Becoming a CPA requires 150 hours of classes in college and I’ve heard passing the certification exam can be pretty tough.  Will it really be worth it?

Given that CPAs are often the decision-makers in business and perform critical tasks for their companies … why do you think some people still think of accounting as somewhat mundane?

Has this changed in recent years? I think of a CPA as someone in a suit and a tie. What if I don’t necessarily see myself this way?

Uses

Obviously this is an excellent video to have when speaking at civic gatherings and educational events such as Career Awareness Day.

Here are some other possibilities:

• Share the TSCPA website video link with your local internal organization newsletters and financial literacy newsletters.
• Share with Scouts working on a career exploration badge.
• Insert in a school follow-up article to Career Awareness Day so that students can share it with their parents.
• Launch the video clip as an introduction to local accounting career awareness panel discussions to jump start their conversations.

Want to know more?

Get additional information about TSCPA’s accounting career education program (ACE) and leadership development opportunities. If you would like to explore other ideas for using this video for a facilitated group discussion, please contact TSCPA’s Marketing and Communications team at 800.428.0272 or email the director, Janet Overton, at joverton@tscpa.net.

This video was developed by a task force collaboration of the Texas Society of CPAs’:
Career Awareness Coordinating Committee
Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee
Relations with Educational Institutions Committee