Empowering Tomorrow’s Business Leaders: Accounting for the Future Workshop Recap

Over the summer, Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business along with the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies offered the second annual pre-college course: "Accounting for the Future: Unleashing Your Potential," a workshop designed to ignite high school students’ interest in accounting and business.

What makes the program distinctive is its direct connection to Seton Hall’s nationally recognized CPA Pathway Apprenticeship Program, a partnership with Withum, one of the country’s leading advisory, accounting and consulting firms. Through this innovative “work-for-credit” model, recent participants including Seton Hall graduates and current undergraduates earn academic credit, gain paid professional experience and progress toward CPA licensure; an experience which culminates with a capstone project, the facilitation of this summer high school program, with the apprentices leading workshop design, curriculum and learning activities in the program.

The workshop curriculum balanced fundamentals with forward-looking skills. Students explored essential accounting concepts such as the accounting equation, debits and credits and preparation of financial statements. They also engaged with emerging topics like artificial intelligence and digital transformation, seeing firsthand how technology is reshaping the profession.

In addition, the program featured guest speakers from the accounting profession, who provided students with perspectives on career opportunities, industry challenges and the skills needed to thrive in today’s market. These professionals helped participants understand how the lessons learned in the classroom translate into meaningful and impactful work in practice.

By working through practical financial scenarios, high school students gained insight into the ways accountants support decision-making, interpret complex data and solve problems in professional contexts. These interactive experiences emphasized analytical thinking, teamwork and the use of digital tools — helping participants envision a clear, step-by-step path to an accounting career that begins now and stretches into the future.

Collaborative Learning Builds Knowledge

Teamwork and discussion were crucial to the experience, with students working in small groups to analyze data and transactions. Mentors guided these hands-on exercises, providing context on how these skills mesh with accounting classes in college and how they are used by accountants. This collaborative environment mirrored real-world accounting scenarios encouraging participants to communicate effectively.

By the end of the session, students had gained the ability to understand accounting fundamentals and relate them to today’s technology and modern career perspectives.

“Eye-Opening” Experience for Aspiring Accountants

The workshop left a strong impression on students. “I came expecting spreadsheets and numbers, but the CPA Apprenticeship Pathway Program went beyond that focusing more on how accounting informs business strategy,” said one participant. Another student said: “In just a day and a half, I learned more than I expected. I want to study accounting now and maybe combine it with tech or business later.”

Institutional Vision and Progress Ahead

The Accounting for the Future workshop demonstrates Seton Hall’s commitment to growing the pipeline of future accounting majors and professionals, by exposing high school students to career pathways in accounting and a focus on both the fundamentals of accounting along with evolving industry trends. Through the leadership of Professor Danielle DiMeglio, faculty leader of the CPA Pathway program and Mark P. Holtzman, C.P.A., Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Accounting and Taxation, the program was successfully brought to fruition. Professor Danielle reflected on the impact of the initiative, stating:

This workshop shows students that accounting is so much more than numbers on a page, it’s about problem-solving, critical thinking, and understanding how businesses make decisions. By connecting them with our Withum apprentices and industry professionals, we’re giving them both inspiration and a head start on their future.

For further details and to register for Summer 2026 programs, visit the Pre-College Summer Programs website.

Categories: Business, Education