Accounting
Massachusetts Society of CPAs Adds Scholarship Options
The Society Adds $10,000 and $5,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Students to Help Fuel the Accounting Pipeline.
Oct. 16, 2019
The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), the state’s professional association of over 11,000 CPAs and accounting professionals, has announced changes to its scholarship program. The society will now offer $10,000 and $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing accounting degrees, an effort to provide long-term impact on the lives of future CPAs.
The Society’s Scholarship Program is funded entirely through donations to its Educational Foundation, whose mission is to fuel the accounting pipeline with diverse, qualified candidates. Data from the American Institute of CPAs shows that staffing remains a top concern for CPA firms; however, a primary barrier to entry is the high cost of education. By offering $10,000 and $5,000 scholarships, the Society hopes to reduce the financial burden on students as they move through the pipeline.
“The goal of these changes is to give fewer, higher dollar scholarships that will be more impactful and align with our goal of filling the accounting pipeline with more of the best and brightest students,” said Amy Pitter, president and CEO of the MSCPA. “We are excited to increase our commitment to helping today’s students become tomorrow’s CPAs.”
One of the $10,000 scholarships was established in memory of Dave Clarkson, CPA, a longtime MSCPA Educational Foundation Board Member who passed away earlier this year. The David J. Clarkson, CPA, Memorial Scholarship honors his passion, dedication and impact on the profession through his service in public accounting, academia and volunteerism. “We are proud to recognize Dave, who gave so much and cared deeply about helping others in the profession,” said Pitter. “It’s an honor for his legacy to live on in the Scholarship Program, and it will make a meaningful difference to these students.” Scholarship winners are undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence, financial need and intent to pursue a career in accounting. The deadline to donate to the 2020 Scholarship Program is December 31, 2019. Winners will be selected and awarded in May 2020. For more information about the Educational Foundation and the 2020 Scholarship Program, click here.
The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, Inc. is the state professional association of certified public accountants, representing over 11,000 members in public accounting practice, industry and business, government and education. The Society works to develop and maintain high professional standards and offers a wide array of legislative, technical and referral services to its members.