If you were asked to name one professional accounting credential, it’s pretty likely you’d think first of the coveted CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license. Anyone with these prestigious letters behind their name has put in countless hours as a student successfully completing years of coursework, studying for and passing all parts of the CPA exam, and getting the necessary hours of specific work experience to fulfill all licensure requirements. The CPA path may seem daunting, and there is no one path to the CPA. So where do you begin?
To aid those who may be considering becoming a CPA, we hosted a virtual “Path to & through the CPA” event for our students, alumni, and prospective MPAcc applicants.
With the record-breaking attendance and 30-minute Q&A portion, it’s clear that there is immense interest and desired clarification regarding all things CPA. You can view a recording of the presentation portion of this event below:
Speaker Profiles
Dr. Letitia Pleis, PhD, CPA, CMA, CFM, CGMA, CSCA | Full Professor at MSU Denver
Dr. Pleis has a Ph.D. in Accounting. She is focused on Cost Accounting and is Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis. Current research interest involves cost management and strategy within small businesses. She is active within the profession focusing much of her time with the Institute of Management Accountants and is a great resource for students wanting to know more about the Certified Management Accountant certification.
Misty Walker, MPAcc | Vice President of Accounting & Finance at Go West IT
Misty graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2008 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2024, both from MSU Denver. She has also completed all the CPA exams and is currently in the process of applying for licensure. Misty has experience in public accounting, owning and operating a bookkeeping business, and management accounting in the IT field. Recently, she has continued her learning in Power BI and data analytics and will be pursuing other certifications as well.
For those continuing to explore the many career paths within the accounting profession, we have upcoming virtual events to check out!
- Fraud & Forensic Accounting Career Paths – 9/27 at noon MT
- Mapping Your Audit Path – 10/9 at noon MT
- Exploring Your Path to Taxation – 10/21 at 5:30pm MT
You can see a complete list of events for our Accounting Roadrunner Community here.