School of Accountancy - Advisory Council - West, Karen :: College of Business at Ohio University

Accounting Advisory Council

Karen West

Ohio Society of CPA's

Karen West joined The Ohio Society of CPAs in July 2002 in the newly-created position of Manager of Student Initiatives. This unique position was created to focus specifically on the challenge of attracting students to the CPA profession. Karen is responsible for identifying and creating opportunities and programs to reach students and those that influence their education and career decisions.

Students and educators at various levels of education comprise the target audience for these initiatives. Programs range from ACAP-Ohio (the high school Accounting Careers Awareness Program), On-Campus Student Ambassadors at the college level, a variety of member/student events, and Accounting for Kids Day which brings CPAs into local elementary classrooms. Additionally, Karen manages both print and electronic communications efforts with students.

In 2005, Karen’s position was expanded to include the Society’s financial literacy initiative – Financial Fitness Ohio. Her responsibilities include overseeing the development, implementation and promotion of the Society’s ongoing financial literacy programs.

Karen has 12 years of experience in marketing and public relations. Before joining the Society, Karen worked at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio in marketing and student recruiting.

Karen received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in 1995. She received her MBA from Franklin University in 2001. She and her husband reside in Westerville, Ohio.