Accounting students consider career options at USQ

Close to 200 high school students from across the region learned that accounting is not all tax talk and number crunching when they attended the Accounting Students' Careers Day at USQ this month (February).

Jointly sponsored by CPA Australia and the University, the annual event is now in its ninth year and continues to attract hundreds of local high school students and their teachers.

Head of the Accounting, Economics and Finance School, Professor Peter Best, said the Accounting Students’ Careers Day has become highly successful over the years.

'The event gives students an insight into varied career opportunities in commerce,' Professor Best said. 'Student attendance has been high for the past three years and feedback from students and teachers has been great. The support of business teachers in the region is also very much appreciated.'

Students heard presentations from CPA Australia, as well as speakers who have used their accounting qualifications to forge successful and exciting careers in the diverse areas of accounting and business leadership.

'This is in response to feedback that students are interested in the basics, as well as the more exotic potential careers available in accounting,' Professor Best said.

CPA Australia again sponsored the CPA Australia Forensic Investigation competition, held during the Careers Day, which is valued at $1000. School teams solved case studies on symptoms of fraud, and prevention strategies.

The winning schools were:

First: Dalby State High School
Second: Fairholme College
Third: Toowoomba State High School.