New Interactive Game Lets Students Experience

the World of a Record Company Executive

Created to Interest Them in Business and Accounting

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- High school and college students who
wonder what it would be like to run a record company may now get a
taste through a new online game produced by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

The Turnaround Game (http://www.theturnaroundgame.com) asks the
players to develop a winning proposal to save an ailing record company
called BigNoizz. The interactive game introduces students not only to
the music industry, but to the wider experience of the business world
-- specifically, that of the CPA.

The AICPA developed The Turnaround Game with its marketing
communications firm, Wunderman New York, as the latest installment of
its award-winning Start Here Go Places campaign
(http://www.startheregoplaces.com), designed to interest high school
and college students in an accounting career.

In creating The Turnaround Game, the AICPA tapped into two abiding
passions of students: video games and music.

"We want to reach out to younger audiences and give them a sense of
what being a CPA is all about," said Barry Melancon, AICPA President
and CEO. "Since students are so interested in games and music, we
believe a vehicle like The Turnaround Game clearly demonstrates the
challenges and rewards that CPAs face every day."

Indeed, Melancon noted that a number of today's music stars are also
successful business professionals who rely on the talents and
expertise of their CPAs.

The accounting profession has gained a higher profile among students
in recent years. According to a 2005 AICPA survey of U.S. colleges and
universities, enrollments in accounting programs have increased 19
percent over a four-year period.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(http://www.aicpa.org) is the national, professional association of
CPAs, with approximately 350,000 members, including CPAs in business
and industry, public practice, government, and education; student
affiliates; and international associates. It sets ethical standards
for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private
companies; federal, state and local governments; and non-profit
organizations. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA
Examination. SOURCE American Institute of Certified Public Accountants