The Leaders' Institute

 

The 2013 Leaders’ Institute takes place May 31 – June 1, 2013, at The Mason Inn on the campus of George Mason University.

 
The Institute is a two-day, all-expenses-paid program developed by founding sponsor Baker Tilly and the VSCPA that seeks to develop future leaders in the CPA profession. Students enjoy access to potential employers, mentoring opportunities with young CPAs and networking opportunities with other academically gifted accounting students.  

Benefits of Participating | Top

 As a student, you're putting in the long hours to get good grades and ultimately land the perfect job or internship. By attending the Leaders' Institute, you'll:

  • Gain an edge on your competition by engaging in important networking opportunities and leadership training
  • Meet with other accounting students and young CPAs
  • Find out ways to communicate effectively and improve your resume to put you ahead of your peers

  • And much more!

Eligibility Requirements | Top

  • Must be receiving an undergraduate degree in 2014 or 2015 and full-time student at an accredited college or university in Virginia with the intent to (or with an existing) major in accounting and pursue a CPA license
  • Provide a recommendation from an accounting educator who is teaching (or has taught) you
  • Have maintained an overall and accounting GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) — if an applicant has less than a 3.0, the accounting faculty recommendation must provide a short explanation justifying the applicant's qualifications
  • Have demonstrated leadership potential
  • Have not attended past VSCPA Leaders' Institutes

NOTE: Submission of an application does not mean automatic acceptance into the program.

Become a Sponsor | Top

The Leaders' Institute is a great opportunity to attract top talent to your firm or company before they graduate from college! Take a look at the complete list of sponsorships (PDF) to see which opportunity best meets your needs. Exclusive sponsorships are first-come, first-serve. For more information, contact VSCPA Academic & Career Development Director Molly Wash at mwash@vscpa.com or (804) 612-9417.

Thank you to our 2013 sponsors!

Founding Sponsor
Baker Tilly 

Event Kick Off Sponsor
Dixon Hughes Goodman

Valedictorian Sponsor
VSCPA Educational Foundation 

Salutatorian Sponsor
Cherry Bekaert
Ernst & Young

Deans List Sponsor
CliftonLarsonAllen
Deloitte
Elliott Davis
Johnson Lambert 
Kearney & Company
KPMG
PwC 
RyanSharkey
The Capital Group Companies
Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer

Meet the Firms Exhibitor
Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts
Becker Professional Education
Brown Edwards
FBI
U.S. Government Accountability Office
PBMares
Wells, Coleman & Company

Video & Pictures From Past Events | Top

Click the links below for highlights: 

  • Attendees, connect online through the VSCPA's closed social network, Connect.
  • Thanks to all of the 2012 sponsors!
  • See photos of students and sponsors from 2012 
  • Read about the 2012 Leaders' Institute in Disclosures magazine.

  • Watch a video to see what you can expect in 2013:

"The 2011 Leaders' Institute was an experience like no other. I learned so much information and had fun connecting with other accounting [professionals]. I also learned that the accounting profession is much more diverse than I ever realized. I took away so much material that will help me succeed in my CPA career goal."            

Judy Williams
Virginia Wesleyan College
Leaders' Institute Class of 2011

 

Weekend Agenda* | Top

Friday, May 31, 2013

Time  Session  Location 
10–10:30 a.m.  Registration The Mason Inn
 10:30–10:45 a.m. Welcome & Program Overview Ballroom A
 10:45–11:15 a.m. Meet your Team Leader & Icebreaker Ballroom A
 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.             General Session: Networking 101 —
Building Relationships to Advance Your Career		 Ballroom A
 12:15–1:15 p.m.        Lunch Jr. Ballroom
 1:15–2:15 p.m. General Session: I've Got a Salary,
Now What?  		 Ballroom A
 2:15–2:30 p.m. Break
 2:30–4:30 p.m. General Session: Speed Dating — CPA Style! Jr. Ballroom
 4:30–5:30 p.m. Hotel check-in, free time,
get dressed for dinner		  
 5:30–6 p.m. Networking Reception Ballroom Pre-
Function Area
 6–7 p.m. Baker Tilly & Keynote speaker Ballroom A 
 7–9 p.m. Meet the Firms — Networking Ballrooms B & C
9–11 p.m.  Hang out at The Corner Pocket.
Ping pong, billiards, foosball, 
board games & more!		 The Corner Pocket, 
The Hub at GMU


Saturday, June 1, 2013

Time  Session Location
 8–8:45 a.m.  Buffet breakfast & hotel check-out
 8:45–9:30 a.m. General Session: Team Leader Panel 

— Surviving the CPA Exam

 Ballroom A       
 9:30–9:40 a.m. Break  
 9:40–10:45 a.m.       General Session: Leadership Core
Competencies		 Ballroom A
 10:45–11 a.m. Break  
 11 a.m. – noon General Session: Personal Branding Ballroom A
Noon–12:45 p.m. Buffet Lunch  Ballrooms B & C
 12:45–1:45 p.m. General Session: How to Interview
Your Future Employer		 Ballroom A
 1:45–2:45 p.m. General Session: Team Leader Panel — 
Real World/School-to-Work Transition		 Ballroom A 
 2:45–3 p.m. Wrap Up & Departure Ballroom A

* Agenda is subject to change.