Michigan City High School Business Students Experience a Day in the Life of a CPA

MCHS-accountingtripOn April 28, more than 20 Michigan City High School students interested in accounting careers traveled to South Bend for an event called “Game On: CPAs in Action.” The trip, coordinated for MCHS by Michigan City CPA Paul Applegate, was made possible by the Indiana CPA Society.

The CPA firm of Crowe Horwath hosted the experience for students from several South Bend area high schools, along with the MCHS students and their Business teacher, Ronda Ross. Lance Werner, Michigan City Area Schools CFO, and Connie Shoening, MCHS Business Teacher, also attended the event.

The day-long experience began with a panel discussion by Peter Aghimien, CPA of IUSB; Lindsey Bauer, CPA of Inovateus Solar; Jeffery Rowe, CPA of Umbaugh Financial Services; and Adam Schwelnus, CPA of LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Other activities included a Business Etiquette workshop, and a guided tour of local companies including 1st Source Bank, Kruggel Lawton CPAs and the McGladrey CPA Firm. The event concluded with a catered lunch and a “Lesson on Leadership” discussion by Amy Cline, a CPA from Whirlpool Corporation.

MCHS teacher Ronda Ross said several of her Business students returned from the trip with concrete career plans. “Several who were undecided as to which business degree they would pursue decided to obtain their degrees in accounting, and now plan to take the additional courses required to sit for the CPA exam,” she said. “The students wish to thank everyone involved in making this trip happen!”