Oakland University Accounting Students Attend Professional Meeting

On May 13, 2008, several Oakland University Accounting students had the opportunity to have breakfast and interact with one of the most influential leaders of the Accounting profession in the United States.

Barry Melancon, President and CEO of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), was in Lansing to be the key-note speaker at the semi-annual Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants' (MACPA's) Members Advisory Forum. The AICPA is the national membership organization of CPAs, with some 350,000 members. The MACPA's Forum was attended by about 200 leaders in the Accounting profession from throughout the state of Michigan.

The MACPA extended an exclusive invitation to Oakland students to attend a private breakfast with Mr. Melancon. Only Oakland students and MACPA staff were present. Ten Oakland Students participated in the breakfast, and then attended the Members' Advisory Forum. Students attending (left to right in the attached picture) were: Lori Dorko, Bridget Gruich, Samantha Snell, Drew Green, Korry Bates, Sheila Brooks, Mr. Melancon, Jessica Coury, Ashley Denard, Del Kanka, and Karen Meyer.

These students, along with Oakland students Karla Bouchar and Lalena Malloian, also attended the Members' Advisory Forum. Topics covered in the forum included updates on: National issues affecting the Accounting profession; Issues affecting CPAs in Michigan; XBRL; and other updates.

Dr. Gadis Dillon, Oakland Professor of Accounting and member of the MACPA President's Advisory Council, facilitated the invitation to the students.