DOLLAR$ AND $EN$E

Volume 35, Number 1, August 28, 2006

Accounting Student Newsletter

For 35 years, Accounting students have received DOLLAR$ AND $EN$E (D&$) biweekly during Fall and Spring Semesters in their accounting classes and, more recently, via email. D&$ is a source of information for accounting majors about speakers and organization meetings, activities, career and internship opportunities, scholarships, advise, informational links, department and college announcements. To keep informed, students are encouraged to read each issue. (Submission dates for announcements are listed with each issue of D&$.)

Accounting Major Forum

The Accounting Major Forum will be held September 5, 2006, at 5:30-6:30 pm in 102 Forum. All Juniors are required to attend (and seniors are encouraged to attend). The guest speaker, Mike Denove from Ernst & Young, will share an “Alumni Perspective on the Accounting Major.” Faculty and staff will discuss: academic requirements, curriculum planning, courses, grades, career and internship opportunities, CPA exam and other certifications, student organizations, etc.

Accounting Student Organizations

Beta Alpha Psi, the National Honors Fraternity for Financial Information Professionals, offers opportunities for important contacts with accounting, finance, and IT professionals through programs and social events. The Penn State Chapter is forming its Fall 2006 Pledge Class. Students must have completed 30 credits and intend to be, or already are, enrolled in the Accounting, Finance, or MSIS majors. Academic requirements to be initiated are a 3.0 Cum Ave and a 3.2 GPA in upper level ACCTG, FIN and/or MSIS classes. The application is available on the Beta Alpha Psi homepage under Pledging.

Accounting Society is for everyone interested in accounting and are encouraged to join. Speaker meetings are held with Beta Alpha Psi. Established authorities in the field of accounting provide information on career paths in public, industrial, tax and government accounting and bring their expertise on current issues affecting the accounting world today. Speakers and recruiters from the major CPA firms discuss career opportunities, professional ethics, interviewing, the CPA exam, and more. Top executives from national firms discuss opportunities as management accountants, the CMA exam and corporate issues. Social events add variety and networking. To be a member, students must attend 3 meetings each semester. There are no grade requirements and no dues.

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) goals are to promote and develop the professional skills of members; encouraging and assisting diversity students in entering the accounting profession; providing opportunities for members to fulfill their civic responsibility; ensure long-term financial stability and provide adequate resources to implement programs; and represent the interests of current and prospective diversity accounting professionals. The Penn State NABA helps to strengthen the skills and experiences, and encourages members to become active in functions and activities. NABA serves as a resource for all diversity students considering business majors.

Remember to . . .

Check your schedule! Changes may have occurred(times/rooms).
Accept Tuition Bill through Elion (pay tuition)
Update your local address and telephone number via E-Lion
Add/Drop: Sept 5-14.

Curriculum Information

Advisers: Juniors are assigned academic advisers (see Elion) in the Smeal Undergraduate Advising Center (degree audit, administrative forms) and a faculty adviser for career info (list in department).
Accounting Major requirements: https://intranet.smeal.psu.edu/uprog/requirements/ACCTG.html
IB Minor: May choose as a supplement to the major.
Study Abroad: MUST be PRE-approved in 202 Business
"C" or higher grade is required for the following courses for Graduation: ENGL 202D, ACCTG 211, 405, 471, 472

Accounting Interviews

Career Services (CSC)

CSC arranges interviews for accounting majors seeking permanent positions. Students are required to register to use the On-Campus Recruiting System (OCR), Nittany Lion Recruiting for all on-campus interviews. Attendance at an on-campus recruiting orientation session is mandatory:
September 12 - 15 - start times: 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, & 5:15.
All sessions held in 103 Bank of America Career Services Center.
PLEASE NOTE: Sessions run approximately 30 minutes. Seating capacity is limited to 90 for each of the sessions so please arrive early.  Please bring your student ID card with you.  Please attend one of the orientation sessions to pick up the 2006-2007 Career Guide, and obtain more information about how to register to participate in on-campus recruiting. PLEASE NOTE: Students who register after September 15th will miss initial job posting deadlines. No extensions to these deadlines will be granted.

CPA firm interview schedule:

Beard Miller - October 9
Reinsel Kuntz Lesher - October 10
Merrill Lynch - October 10 & 11
Pricewaterhouse Coopers - October 12 & 13
Thompson Greenspon - October 16
Deloitte & Touche - October 16
Clifton Gunderson - October 16
Bear Stearns - October 17
KPMG – October 17
Kreischer Miller - October 17
Beers & Cutler - October 18
Ernst & Young – October 20
Reznick Group – October 23
Simonson Lipschutz & Fogel - October 23
Rothstein Kass & Co. – November 8

Application deadlines and interview sign-up dates for interviews will vary based on interview date. That information will be noted in Nittany Lion Recruiting once you have registered for access to on-campus recruiting.

Smeal Internship Program

The Smeal Internship Program has many internship opportunities for Accounting Majors. Students must attend ONE orientation session (September 5, 7, 8, 11-15 - rooms and times TBA) to participate in the Smeal Internship Program for 2006-2007. However, if students are already enrolled in the program and have attended an orientation session, they do not need to attend again. Seniors must be able to participate in one full semester of classes AFTER the internship and PRIOR to graduation. The Smeal Internship Program is located in 114 Business (814-863-6161 or intern@www.smeal.psu.edu).

Bear on the Prowl

This section of D&$ starts with "The Bear says . . . " and contains advise to accounting students on a variety of topics, such as interviewing, involvement, courtesy, etiquette, discipline, etc. Observations are submitted by faulty and staff to assist students in becoming professionals.

Job Opportunities

Proctors and Tutors

The Accounting Department is accepting applications for exam proctors and tutors for accounting courses.
Proctors for accounting exams: Proctors are paid regular wage and/or work study.  They are notified via email of proctoring needs throughout semester.  The exam schedule is published prior to first exam for advanced sign-ups.

Tutors for accounting courses: The Accounting Department maintains a tutor referral list of private tutors for all accounting courses, especially needed for 400-level courses. Tutors arrange appointments and compensation directly with the hiring student.

The application is available in the “Accounting Department Group” on ANGEL (under “Departmental Jobs”). Please submit applications to Linda Roan in 354 Business (865-1809).

Other Tutoring Opportunities:

Tutoring Service, in 202 Boucke, hires tutors for all courses.

Academic Support Center for Student Athletes, in 328 Boucke (865-0407) hires tutors for several courses depending on the needs of the athletes.

In the Job Market

Graduating Fall 2006 and in the job market?  LionLink (865-LINK) provides advise on career planning, job searching, working in the real world, job opportunities, companies, resume posting, interviewing tips, and listing of graduate schools.

Publications

The Wall Street Journal (WJS) is strongly recommended for the preparation for interviews and to keep abreast of the current business news. All accounting faculty refer to WSJ articles as part of the course work. Student subscriptions at 80% off are available for 15 weeks ($19.95) and 52 weeks ($108).  Students are billed directly.  Many students receive a free subscription of the Wall Street Journal with their textbooks. Even though students may not need a paper version, they are encouraged to activate their WSJ subscription through their textbook and have the paper version sent to someone else (parents, friends, etc.) or to the Accounting Department to be shared with other students.

The New Accountant Magazine is a professional publication for accounting students and the accounting profession. Each issue includes practical information in feature articles, and columns on careers, educational issues, and management. Emphasis is also placed on personal audit information for the developing professional. Readers gain insight on corporate concerns and trends. In addition, NewAccountantUSA.com offers students an on-line version of the magazine. Printed versions are provided by the Accounting Department in 354 Business Building and announcements of new issues appear in D&$.

Smile

A computer will do what you tell it to do, but that may be much different from what you had in mind.  Joseph Weitzenbaum, Educator

Enjoy the game.  If you can't have fun at it, there's no sense hanging around. Joe Montana, Football player

Recognition of the problem is half the solution. James Farmer, Activist

Don't wait for the light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there . . . and light the bloody thing yourself.  Sara Henderson, Writer

Submit articles for the next issue of DOLLAR$ AND $EN$E by September 5, 2006 to the editor.

Linda M. Roan, Editor