For many high school students, career exploration is shaped by what they see around them. They may know about careers in medicine, technology, law, or business, but accounting can still seem like a mystery.
That’s where you can make a difference.
Accounting Opportunities Experience (AOE) is a nationwide outreach initiative from the AICPA® and participating state CPA societies that connects CPAs and accounting professionals with high school students to introduce them to the possibilities of a career in accounting. By sharing your journey, you can help students see themselves in the profession and understand that accounting can take them almost anywhere.
Bring accounting to life
AOE gives CPAs an opportunity to step into classrooms and share what a career in accounting really looks like. Rather than simply telling students what accountants do, volunteers can talk about their own experiences, career paths, and interests, helping students see the people and possibilities behind the profession.
“It’s getting CPAs into classrooms to share their stories, humanize the profession, and show students the different opportunities available in accounting,” says Christin Hunter, Senior Manager, Student Engagement & Membership on the AICPA's CPA Pipeline team.
That personal connection matters. Students can hear directly from someone who has experienced the twists and turns of an accounting career and learn that there isn't one defined path.
Maybe you started in audit and moved into another area. Maybe you work in tax, forensic accounting, advisory, or an industry students wouldn't immediately associate with accounting. Your journey can help show them just how broad the profession is, and how much room there is to pivot and grow.
Everything needs accounting
AOE’s messaging this year also highlights a simple idea: Everything needs accounting.
Think about the industries, companies, and experiences that matter to students. Sports. Music. Fashion. Technology. Entertainment. Their favorite local businesses. Even a Taylor Swift concert has accounting behind the scenes.
The AOE classroom resources help students explore different industries and then connect those interests back to accounting. The goal is to make the profession tangible, interesting, and relevant to their lives.
As a volunteer, you can take that approach even further. Talk about a local company students recognize. Mention a professional sports team in your area. Share how your own interests connect with your work.
The more relatable the conversation is, the easier it can be for students to picture themselves in the profession.
You don't have to do it alone
One of the biggest advantages of AOE is that volunteers don't have to build a presentation from scratch.
The AICPA provides a resource toolkit, including a PowerPoint presentation that volunteers can customize with their own information and photos. Speaker notes throughout the deck help guide volunteers through the presentation, and an accompanying activity gives students an opportunity to engage with the concepts.
Additional resources include volunteer tips, pre- and post-presentation checklists, an educator thank-you email template, follow-up activities, and social media templates for sharing your experience with your professional network.
And personalization is encouraged. Add candid photos that show who you are outside of work, not just a professional headshot. Sharing your interests, experiences, and personality can help students see the person behind the CPA license.
Make the experience relevant to students
You don't need to be a veteran CPA to make an impact.
In fact, newer professionals can offer a particularly valuable perspective because their experiences are still fresh. A recent graduate, young professional, or even an accounting intern can help students understand the path from high school to college to the workplace.
Consider bringing another volunteer along, too. Having multiple voices and roles represented can show students the range of opportunities available in accounting.
Most importantly, meet students where they are.
Think about what they care about, what they recognize, and what they may already be curious about. Ask questions. Encourage participation. Bring fun swag, pens, or other small items to give out, if appropriate. And leave room for students to see that accounting isn't just about numbers; it's about solving problems, supporting organizations, and opening doors across industries.
A small time commitment can make a big impact
Volunteering with AOE doesn't have to become a major ongoing commitment.
For someone looking for a manageable way to support the CPA pipeline, a classroom presentation can take as little as 30 minutes to an hour. The main preparation is personalizing and reviewing the presentation, making the overall commitment only a few hours.
And if you enjoy the experience? You can always do it again.
Volunteers often leave their classroom visits feeling happy and energized by the opportunity to connect with students. What may be a relatively small investment of your time can create a priceless opportunity for a student to discover a career path they hadn't considered before.
Get involved this November
November remains the major month for AOE outreach, although participating state societies may schedule activities earlier or later depending on their schools, volunteers, and local plans. Some activities may begin in October or continue into December or January.
AOE reaches students primarily through participating state CPA societies, with the AICPA providing resources to support their outreach. This year, additional AICPA volunteer groups are also helping extend the initiative's reach.
If you're interested in volunteering, start by contacting your state CPA society to ask about high school outreach and AOE opportunities in your area. Participation varies by state, so your state society can let you know what's available and how you can get involved.
If you already have a connection to a school, perhaps through your community, a family member, or a career day, that may also be an opportunity to introduce students to accounting.
Whether you're a seasoned CPA, a recent graduate, or somewhere in between, your story can help make accounting less of a mystery and more of a possibility.
Share your journey. Inspire theirs.