Don't let this be your last issue of Advi$or! Receiving Advi$or, the VSCPA's quarterly student e-newsletter, is just one of the many benefits you receive as an official student member of the VSCPA. By renewing your student membership, you will continue to receive tons of resources and information, including full access to the VSCPA Web site, the Student Zone Web site and free subscriptions to Disclosures bimonthly magazine, Footnote e-newsletter and Advi$or student e-newsletter.

If you're a new high school graduate heading off to college, be sure to become a student member to get the tools you need to establish yourself as a successful accounting professional. If you have any questions about student membership or other VSCPA programs for students and educators, e-mail Tracey Zink or call her at (800) 733-8272.

Remember, VSCPA High School Accounting Club memberships are valid until your high school graduation, so if you're enrolled in high school in the fall, you don't need to renew.

Great news for college graduates! We know life after graduation can be expensive, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to continue your membership. If you upgrade to associate membership before September 1, 2006, you’ll pay only $75 — a savings of more than $100! You’ll also enter to win one of two Kaplan CPA Exam review course vouchers, worth $650 each!

Several students around Virginia deserve a round of applause! Sixteen Virginia college students received a combined $25,000 in accounting scholarships for the 2006–2007 academic year from the VSCPA Educational Foundation. The Foundation offers undergraduate, minority undergraduate and graduate scholarships, as well as the Goodman & Company Annual Scholarship. For the second year in a row, Paul Demeré from Virginia Tech received the $2,500 Goodman & Company scholarship. Check out a list of all 2006 recipients.

Each year the VSCPA recognizes top graduating accounting seniors from Virginia colleges, universities and high schools statewide for outstanding academic achievement. The students are selected by accounting faculty at their respective schools. This year, 63 students, representing high schools, colleges and universities across the Commonwealth, received the 2005 VSCPA Award of Achievement.

More information on the VSCPA Educational Foundation's scholarship programs is available online. If you missed the deadline this year, check out requirements to fulfill now for next year's application process.

It's summer! Sure, you don't want to spend your time thinking about schoolwork, but you CAN spend a few minutes playing fun online games to keep accounting on the brain. Check out these cool games and simulations on the Start Here Go Places Web site from the American Institute of CPAs:

Things are looking bright for new and upcoming grads. It's the best job market since 2001 according to a recent survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Graduates in business, computer, engineering, education and health care fields are in highest demand. Employers plan to hire 14.5 percent more new grads than a year ago, the NACE report states.

Another recent NACE survey revealed that new grads' starting salaries continue to climb. The average offer to accounting grads is $45,656 — up 5.5 percent from last year at this time.

As a young professional, beginning in the workforce can be daunting. To help CPA firms figure out how to appeal to young professionals, a research group brought together young staff from small and mid-sized CPA firms. Check out what they found, from how they see their jobs to what drives them.
Source: SmartPros