Robust economic climate and record low unemployment levels are contributing to widespread demand for skilled accounting and finance professionals. Accountants are playing key roles in improving efficiencies while enabling companies to keep pace with growth.

The next generation of financial wizards can now apply for the 2004 Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession summer program at Le Moyne College.

The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants offers the program with the college and Leadership Greater Syracuse. It will be held June 28 to June 30 at Le Moyne.

Applications are being accepted from students entering their senior year of high school in the fall 2004.

The program helps students develop their leadership skills and introduces them to community resources and business and civic leaders in the area.

COAP was developed to recruit young people into accounting and focuses on minority groups, which are historically underrepresented in the CPA profession.

Students interested in applying should call Kari Dalton, the chair of the program, at 471-2777 or e-mail kdalton @tfgcpa.com.

Dalton is a CPA and tax supervisor at The Fagliarone Group CPAs PC.

Other members of the committee include: Jaimee Benson from Testone, Marshall & Discenza; Terry McCarthy and Lou Gastin from Green & Seifter; Linda McGraw, LaVerne Higgins, Johnnie Hill-Marsh and Ken Ernst from Le Moyne; and Barb Murphy from Fust Charles Chamber.