The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has found an innovative way to make the accounting profession look like, well, fun. The organization has launched a Web-based game, CPA Career Adventure, designed to make the accounting profession look attractive to high school students.

Participating students will track their scores from launch date through Friday, Nov. 30, and will be eligible to win prizes, including a Macintosh iBook laptop computer.

The PICPA has launched a multi-year image enhancement campaign designed to improve the image of the accounting profession among high school students. "CPA Career Adventure is a fun, interactive, and progressive learning tool that is just one of many creative methods we are using to help accomplish our goal," explains Ron Rogozinski, CPA, of Allentown, PICPA's president.

The game is loosely modeled after the television show, "Survivor," and student participants will take part in virtual mini-challenges including Leap Frog, Hieroglyphics, Stop the Monster, Go Fish, and Keep the Fire Burning. To advance, students must answer accounting-related questions correctly.

"We are excited about CPA Career Adventure and the increased awareness it will bring to high school students, who may have never considered the accounting career path," explains Susan E.S. Howe, CPA, of Philadelphia, chairperson of PICPA's Image Enhancement Task Force.

"We plan to launch other creative initiatives throughout the campaign to shed a brighter light on the accounting profession as a viable, exciting opportunity to numerous career pathways," she said.