Nine Davis & Elkins College accounting majors are now student members of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (WVSCPA), thanks to a gift from Elkins businessman and CPA Mark Doak and his wife, Marsha.
“I’m a member of the WVSCPA and I thought that providing memberships to students might encourage them to take the test to become a CPA,” Doak said.
As members, students have access to a wealth of educational resources and discounts on study materials, as well as mentoring programs, recruiting fairs, conferences, seminars and quarterly newsletters. In addition, they are eligible to compete for scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study.
“It’s so nice when local individuals provide opportunities to our students,” said D&E Assistant Professor of Accounting and Business Lisa Daniels-Smith CPA. “I encourage all accounting majors to sit for the CPA exam and experience the value that an accounting major provides. The accounting profession is experiencing a shortage and the WVSCPA does a great job of assisting students, not just monetarily and educationally, but through their recruiting fairs. I thank Marsha and Mark for opening another door for our students through their generous gift.”
Student WVSCPA membership continues for one year after undergraduate graduation or for the duration of graduate school.
The Davis & Elkins College accounting program offers two degree options to prepare students for a successful career. The associate’s degree program is completed in two years and trains students to work in bookkeeping. The bachelor’s degree program requires four years of course work that encompasses a larger area of accounting and is needed to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam. Students gain hands-on experience by completing an internship in the accounting field.
Elkins business owners Mark and Marsha Doak, standing right, visited the Davis & Elkins College Intermediate Accounting I class, instructed by Assistant Professor of Accounting and Business Lisa Daniels-Smith, to offer membership into the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mark Doak, a CPA and member of the Society, paid membership fees for accounting students, from left, seated, Travis Scala, Tyler Cutright, Vighnesh Muley and Madison Wagner; and standing, Jordan Hyland, Bayley Eidell, Hussain Hamide and Evan Merlo.
