AICPA & CIMA Becomes an Experiential Learning Partner at Junior Achievement of Central Maryland’s Youth Workforce & Innovation Center

Baltimore (November 7, 2024) - TheAICPA & CIMA, which together form the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, has become an experiential learning partner in JA Finance Park at Junior Achievement of Central Maryland's Youth Workforce & Innovation Center. Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing young people for career success and financial responsibility. Through this partnership, AICPA & CIMA will provide a new storefront inside JA Finance Park to create an authentic and immersive experience focused in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, highlighting the Association's new youth apprenticeship program.

JA's Youth Workforce & Innovation Center located in Baltimore, consists of signature JA programs - JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, as well as the JA Career Center.

Funded by a grant from Maryland State Department of Education, the AICPA & CIMA storefront will be located inside JA Finance Park and will create an authentic and immersive brand experience that showcases the products, services, and core values of the accounting and finance profession and the opportunity to enter the profession through an apprenticeship. This partnership will introduce the accounting and finance profession annually to more than 10,000 students and more than 1,000 educators from Central Maryland schools, along with over 2,500 volunteers representing professionals, parents, and community groups from Central Maryland's top companies.

"The increasing battle for talent makes the need for more skilled accounting and finance professionals especially pressing. How we address the needs of our finance teams today will better position us for tomorrow," said Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, Executive Vice President of Business Engagement & Growth at the AICPA & CIMA. "Introducing students to the accounting and finance profession as a career possibility at an early stage and through apprenticeships is vital. And having the opportunity to partner with JA on this program to provide students with early and necessary experiential learning and skills to develop strong financial habits and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset is critical for their success and, ideally, the success of the accounting and finance profession."

"Partners like AICPA & CIMA bring authenticity to student learning, which is a critical component to JA programs like JA Finance Park."," said Paul Kappel Jr., President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. "Early exposure to skilled professions benefits everyone. It will enhance the work JA does to bridge the gap between education and business by strengthening JA's ability to make early connections to students who are thinking about their future and fuel the workforce pipeline for businesses in our community - all to drive positive long-term results."

Separately, AICPA & CIMA has also partnered with JA USA from a volunteer perspective. This collaboration includes providing resources such as email templates, marketing materials and strategies for engaging with diverse student groups as well as an opportunity to fulfill the National Pipeline Advisory Group or NPAG Pipeline Pledge. This partnership is focused on CPA professionals volunteering to increase students' awareness of and interest in accounting by volunteering with JA either through their firm, state society, or individually. With over 100 JA offices spanning all 50 states, there are many opportunities to get involved.

About AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

AICPA® & CIMA®, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 597,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates, and registrants in 188 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members, candidates and registrants with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future.

About Junior Achievement of Central Maryland

Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JA) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Since 1957, JA has been a leader in providing authentic and engaging experiential learning focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. By bridging the gap between education and business, JA connects students with dedicated volunteers and mentors to provide relevant life skills needed to succeed and thrive in today's world. As part of the world's largest organization devoted to youth empowerment, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland has positively impacted over a million Marylanders. For more information, visit www.jamaryland.org.

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Media Contacts: Bill Ferguson
AICPA-CIMA
[email protected]

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