Community College

Program Overview

The Accounting Scholars Development Program (ASDP) is a residential summer program that gives minority community college students a glimpse of university life and the accounting profession. ASDP offers a range of academic and professional activities that promote transfer to a bachelor’s degree-granting institution to be eligible for the CPA license.

What to Expect

ASDP is a week-long program focused exclusively on accounting. Participants engage in rigorous, hands-on sessions taught by senior accounting faculty and experts from CPA firms. The sessions are designed to provide participants with the skills needed to successfully manage the transition from community college, knowledge about the accounting curriculum and profession, and confidence to establish leadership cohorts to support them through academia. The cost of student participants’ transportation to/from Washington, DC, accommodations, and meals are covered by the sponsors.

Requirements

Eligible applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a community, tribal or other college and interested in exploring a career in accounting
• Be an ethnic minority (i.e., Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; Native American; or Asian, etc.)
• Have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of study at the time of their participation (Unofficial Transcript Required)
• Have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Be actively involved in campus or community activities or be employed
• Have not attended a past workshop
• Provide a letter of recommendation (either from a faculty member or a current employer)
• Answer a short essay question in the application

Program Impact

“I had the remarkable opportunity to participate in the Accounting Scholars Development Program (ASDP) in the summer of 2014. While one week may seem like a short time, the experiences I had and the lessons I learned during the program, continue to have a positive impact throughout my professional career. The program deepened my knowledge about the career opportunities that accounting majors could pursue, such as, Tax Preparation, Consulting, Auditing, Internal Controls and Compliance and Accounting. Before my involvement in the program, I did not have clear insight into the different career paths available to accounting majors. I am currently in a senior role in the Audit and Assurance Practice of a Global 8 firm. While working on a case study during the program, with individuals I did not know, I learned how important it is to listen to others and to understand other people’s perspectives. I also learned how important it is to harness the technical skills that each person possesses to effectively complete a project. Additionally, the various professionals who participated in the program also provided the mentorship and advice that has helped me in my career.” — Past Program Participant

“ASDP was a gift. I learned so much not only through the public speakers, on-site visits to the Big 4 firms, and the exposure to various activities that challenged my thinking and perspective, but I also learned from the people within my cohort. It was hearing their stories while we walked to the cafeteria for breakfast or lunch that was inspiring. During those walks, I realized I wasn’t alone in my journey, and it was comforting to know that others shared similar struggles and experiences on their path to becoming a CPA. Interestingly the interactions didn’t seem like networking, but the program provided a great atmosphere to network. In addition to the cohort, I met and kept in touch with some of the speakers even after six years, which has been invaluable…This program provided the social and cultural capital for me and my peers; it helped us to get up to speed and it equipped us to be able to engage in conversations with accounting professionals. It was a thoughtful and well-rounded schedule of events, activities and exposure which ultimately provided the confidence and self-esteem that I, despite the obstacles, could achieve my goal of being a CPA.” — Past Program Participant

“The Accounting Scholars Development Program (ASDP) at Howard University is an amazing networking and learning platform for underrepresented and minority accounting students from all over the nation’s community colleges. ASDP changed my perspective on a career in Accounting and Finance. A voice in my head told me that getting a job in accounting and finance was out of reach. That voice was wrong… Before attending ASDP, I was debating the idea of continuing my studies after earning my Associate Degree. But by the end of the program, I had made up my mind. I decided to continue my studies at a 4-year college and get a BBA in accounting and later became a CPA. It gave me a map! It was an amazing experience! An eye opener for students from a community College like us. That week helped boost my confidence in my abilities to fulfill my dream as an accounting professional.” — Past Program Participant