Freshman Information Session: "Decide to Decide"

On October 25, the WSOA hosted an event for freshman women called "Decide to Decide". The event was an information session for all freshman and sophomore women who have yet to decide a major and may have interest in accounting. We had an awesome turnout -- over 100 interested women were in attendance!

The theme of the event, "Decide to Decide: Your Financial Future Starts Here," was to help inform BYU's women about the importance of financial planning and the amazing opportunities and blessings that come with a BYU accounting degree. Financial literacy packets were mailed to all freshman women in order to give them a "Top 10" things to know when it comes to personal finances and preparing for the future. We were also fortunate enough to hear from Dr. Kay Stice and Professor Melissa Larson. We are so lucky to have such outstanding faculty at BYU who are always willing to help.

Following the program, the women were able to mingle and ask questions while enjoying delicious crepes. We're hopeful that many of these women will decide to pursue a degree in accounting!

Our wonderful committee members helping set-up for the event! Special thanks to all of our lovely ladies for their help.

 We would also like to thank PwC, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, the UACPA, and the AICPA for providing us with awesome literary materials and information packets, as well as some sweet swag!

 We were privileged to hear from Dr Stice and Professor Larson. 

We had an awesome turn-out and a great information session. Everyone had a great time mingling afterwards. The crepes were delicious!

Our awesome co-chairs Emily Zarbock and Ashley Amos and a few of our wonderful Committee members.

If you were unable to attend the event or have any questions about the BYU accounting program and "why accounting?" please don't hesitate to reach out to us at byuwsoa@gmail.com.

Second Junior Core Lunch!

On January 23 we held our second WSOA Junior Core lunch. This was a great excuse to get together and talk about internships, summer leadership programs, missions, and life. All fifty that attended enjoyed Zupas salads, sandwiches, and soups.

This has been an exciting and busy school year for the WSOA. We held five events last semester and will be hosting three events this semester. Our next event will be an Accounting 200/310 Information Session on March 15. We will conclude the year with a farewell lunch for the graduating MAcc and Bachelor's students. Also, look for an article about the WSOA in the next SOA Alumni Newsletter!

First Annual WSOA Alumnae Dinner!

The first annual WSOA Alumnae Dinner was a HUGE success! Many thanks to all the students, faculty, and alumnae who attended the event. Seventy-five students and twenty-five alumnae enjoyed a three course dinner at The Skyroom Restaurant. The event also included a short program where students heard from Liz Weinberg and Melissa Larson about the "Blessings of an Accounting Degree." This event will be held for many years to come. If you want more information about this event or would like to attend next year, please email BYUWSOA@gmail.com.

WSOA Alumnae Dinner

On December 8 at 7pm the WSOA Committee will be hosting the first Alumnae Dinner. We have invited over 40 alumnae and all of the current female students. This will be a great opportunity for current students to learn about post graduation opportunities from alumnae.

If you would like more information or an invitation, please email the WSOA at BYUWSOA@gmail.com

Accounting 200/310 Information Session

On October 20 we held our Accounting 200/310 Information Session! The event was a great success as 65 prospective students were in attendance. This was a great opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the prerequisite courses, the application process, the junior core, and career opportunities. We were lucky enough to have Dr. Stocks kick off the meeting by discussing why we need more women in our program. After the program, prospective students ate lunch and mingled with the WSOA committee members and learned more about the benefits of an accounting education.

Dr. Stocks speaks to students

Emily Wood talks about the application process

Students enjoying lunch after the program

Lunch with the Ladies

The WSOA committee welcomed the newest group of SOA women to our Lunch with the Ladies last week. We invited the Junior Core ladies to join us for a break from studying to eat good food, celebrate completion of the infamous Waren Case, and hear from Jonyce Bullock, a partner at Squire. 

We had a great turnout! The Junior Core women who attended met women in the next levels of the accounting program and asked questions about what to expect for the rest of their time in the SOA. 

Here are some shots of our lovely attendees! 

The event concluded with a few words from Jonyce Bullock. She shared her experiences of entering the work force after her husband was diagnosed with a serious illness. She has since made partner at Squire and is able to support her family while her husband remains home with their children. 

Jonyce expressed gratitude for degree from BYU's accounting program and that it has allowed her to face unexpected challenges that have come up in her life. She was a terrific speaker! We look forward to seeing her at future WSOA events. 

What is the WSOA?

The WSOA's main focus is to “encourage female students to come into the School of Accountancy (“SOA”) and to enhance the experience and address the needs of female students in the WSOA.”

Encourage female students to come into the School of Accountancy – The female population in the BYU SOA is far less than the female population in other accounting programs and in the workforce. In the 2011, 23% of students admitted to the junior core were female (21% in 2010, 23% in 2009, 26% in 2008). According to a 2009 AICPA study, 53% of accounting students were female and females accounted for 55% of graduates that were hired by CPA firms. In order to spread awareness of the accounting program, the WSOA holds a freshman information session, Accounting 200/310 information lunch session, and an awareness campaign throughout campus.

Enhance the experience and address the needs of the female students in the WSOA – The WSOA strives to facilitate the success of current students by providing information about career options tailored to their needs and by connecting current and past students. In both the fall and winter semesters the WSOA hosts a “Women in Accounting” panel for all WSOA students. The panels consist of SOA alumnae pursuing a variety of life paths, including full-time and part-time professional work, as well as homemaking. Panelists share their experience using their accounting degree to achieve both their professional and personal goals. A lunch panel was debuted in 2011 for officers in the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Women’s Society of CPAs (“AWSCPA”) to discuss professional and networking issues with WSOA students interested in working in Utah. In addition, the WSOA encourages mentoring relationships between current female students and SOA alumnae through the SOA alumnae database. SOA alumnae are invited to establish a profile in this database in order to encourage mentoring relationships with our female students. Currently the database contains 269 alumnae profiles.