With student memberships to top organizations, young accounting majors can get a jump start on their careers. Organizations help students and accounting professionals network in their area as well as provide resources they need for a solid foundation once they leave school. Memberships provide organizational benefits while being affordable for the scholar.
Resource: Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master of Finance Degree Programs 2017
Institute of Management Accountants
This organization is also known as the Association of Accountants and Finance Professionals in Business. It’s filled with journals, reports and white papers that feature the latest in research when it comes to accounting and finance. There’s an online learning center that students can take advantage of with their reduced charge for joining. This same organization administers the exam for certified management accountant, so there is a learning center and materials to help the scholar prepare for the exam.
American Institute of CPAs
All of the members of AICPA get incredible benefits with their dues. There’s a sense of community with other professionals in the field. There are resources for professional development on the site as well. Members get newsletters and trade magazines like Journal of Accountancy with their access. Along with networking opportunities and current finance news, members get discounts on other services like insurance and travel accommodations. Scholars must be attending school full or part time to get access to the association’s discount. Memberships for scholars are free.
American Accounting Association
This organization gives members access to a number of electronic subscriptions for publications like The Accounting Review and Accounting Horizons. While the name of the organization implies that only those residing in the U.S. can become members, full-time students are eligible around the world. These memberships provide access to the archive of old journal articles in the digital library as well as discounted rates on printed publications. Students can attend association meetings too. The costs are $50 for one year.
Professional Accounting Society of America
The PASA has very low fees for all its members due to the donations of sponsors. They have local chapters specifically for students that allow them to have access to resources free of charge. The student-led chapters are based on many campuses around the country. Students can attend events like the CPA Keynote Speaker Luncheon Series. There are always networking events specific to each chapter that students can access with no fees.
Young CPA Network
The AICPA runs the Young CPA network for students and new professionals to the field of accounting. The This Way to CPA program was created especially for students who want to become affiliates of the AICPA. Students will need to prove that they are in school on a full- or part-time basis. Student affiliates are able to join the organization free of charge. If the scholar wants to join for access to the CPA Exam Candidate Affiliate, the charge is $75 for the 2017 – 2018 year.
Students will want to get access as soon as possible to all the resources available with these organizations. It can be tough to decide on one organization, and when you’re a new professional, there’s no money to join more than one or two. You can take advantage of the opportunity to find the right organization for your needs.
