WSCPA Hosts Student Leadership Symposium for Future CPAs

by Monette Anderson, CAE

illustration: ©iStock/artis777

For many accounting students, the path to the CPA profession begins in the classroom. Yet the experiences that truly shape confidence and career direction happen when students connect directly with practicing CPAs. Future CPAs are enabled to see their place in the community when they engage early on with the profession, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships with CPAs.

Last November, early-stage accounting students from across Washington attended the first WSCPA Accounting Opportunities Symposium, a day focused on leadership development, professional connection, and career exploration.

Twenty-five students attended the inaugural event, including many recipients of scholarships awarded through the Washington CPA Foundation. The symposium was designed to complement the Foundation’s financial support by providing students an opportunity to engage directly with CPAs and begin building their professional networks.

The program centered on strengths-based leadership, beginning with a workshop helping students identify and understand their Gallup CliftonStrengths top five talent themes. Through guided exercises and discussion, students explored how their natural talents influence communication, decision-making, and collaboration.

For many participants, the experience offered a new perspective on leadership development. Jean Song said, “This event was truly impactful — it gave me new motivation, direction, and energy for my career journey. I’m grateful for the guidance, the conversations, and the reminder that I’m moving in the right direction.” Rather than focusing primarily on weaknesses, students reflected on how leaning into their natural strengths can help them contribute more effectively to teams and navigate their early careers with greater confidence. Jen Bixby noted, “One of the highlights for me was learning more about the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment. Seeing a leader who also leads with Relationship Building was particularly inspiring and reinforced the idea that there are many paths to leadership — we are most powerful when we show up as our authentic selves.”

Following the workshop, students heard personally from professionals during a panel discussion on strengths and perspective in the accounting profession, where practitioners shared how their own strengths have shaped their career paths and leadership styles —whether they naturally excel at building relationships, thinking strategically, driving execution, or influencing and inspiring others.

In the afternoon, students gathered in small groups with professionals to discuss how to navigate the transition from college to career, keys to build relationships within firms and organizations, and ways to identify opportunities for growth early in their professional journeys.  

The event reflects WSCPA’s broader commitment to supporting the long-term strength of the profession in Washington. Kimberly Scott, President and CEO noted, “One of the most important things we can do for the future of the profession is invest in emerging leaders early. When professionals understand their strengths and connect with a supportive community, they are better equipped to grow into confident and impactful leaders.”  While the Washington CPA Foundation provides scholarships that help students pursue accounting degrees, programs like this student leadership symposium help students develop the confidence, connections, and leadership skills that will shape the profession’s future.

As WSCPA continues expanding its student engagement efforts, the goal is simple: ensure that the next generation of CPAs not only enters the profession prepared but also feels connected to a professional community invested in their success. In scholarship essays and thank-you notes, students often reflect on how encouraging it is to know that the profession is supporting their path forward. This student leadership symposium builds on that support by creating opportunities for students to connect directly with the people and community behind it.

Resources and Upcoming Events

New Professional Cohort - Multiple events between Friday, Aug 21, 2026 - Friday, May 14, 2027
Emerging Leaders Workshop - Tentatively Oct 1