High school students learned about the World of Accounting this semester at an event in the Center for the Arts.

Earlier this semester, the Williamson Theater turned into the “World of Accounting.”

The event, which was sponsored by the Staten Island Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) was coordinated by Cynthia Scarinci, Assistant Professor of Accounting, who is also the past president of the chapter and currently a state board member of the NYSSCPA.

The purpose of the event, which also took place in the fall of 2010, was to provide high school students with information about the field of accounting.

The program featured guest speakers from different industries within the accounting profession, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

More than 150 high school seniors attended, along with a number of Staten Island high school faculty members, from schools including Tottenville High School, Curtis High School, St. Peter’s Boys High School, Susan Wagner High School, Monsignor Farrell High School, New Dorp High School, Moore Catholic High School, and the Michael J. Petrides High School.

The guest speakers from the FBI, Supervisory Financial Analyst Michele A. Palumbo and Forensic Accountant Daniel J. Tempone, discussed their respective positions within the bureau. Richard Singer of Robert Half spoke about interview skills and building a winning résumé. Professor Scarinci discussed the accounting curriculum and requirements for the CPA exam and licensure. Lastly, Rebecca Russo-Iacobellis, CPA, discussed her career path in the field of public accounting.

The event also featured mock college-entrance interviews, conducted onstage with student volunteers, with feedback provided by a panel of local CPAs.

High school teachers and students in attendance expressed how pleased they were with the event, which provided insight into a field of study for the “soon to be graduating” students.