Legacy Scholars program provides $666,000 to 129 future leaders of the accounting profession

September 12, 2019

NEW YORK - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) granted $666,000 in academic scholarships to 129 students as part of the AICPA Legacy Scholars program.

The program helps students pay for college and provides opportunities to succeed in the profession and to be even more appealing to future employers. Funded by the AICPA, the AICPA Foundation, and partners, the Legacy Scholars program consists of five scholarship categories awarding between $3,000 and $10,000 per student. The scholarships provide support to a variety of students, including liberal arts students pursuing a graduate degree in accounting, minority and female scholars and those transferring from a two-year to a four-year institution.

“The AICPA remains committed to helping the next generation of accounting students earn their degrees and ultimately become CPAs,” said Joanne Fiore, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants’ vice president of professional media, pathways and inclusion. “Our Legacy Scholars program provides talented students from a wide range of backgrounds with the financial assistance they need to complete their education and resources and guidance to help them get started on their career path.”

The Scholarships that comprise AICPA’s Legacy Scholars Program are:

• AICPA/Robert Half Student Scholarship Award, which provides $10,000 to up to four undergraduate and graduate students who intend to earn their CPA.

• American Woman’s Society of CPAs (AWSCPA) Scholarship Award, which offers $5,000 to up to four outstanding women pursuing a degree in accounting.

• AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship Award, which gives $5,000 to up to five non-accounting or business degree holders pursuing a graduate degree in accounting.

• AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students, which offers $3,000 to $5,000 to approximately 90 outstanding minority students to encourage their study of accounting.

• AICPA Foundation Two-year Transfer Scholarship Award, provides $5,000 to up to 25 students transferring from a two-year school to a four-year program to complete their accounting degree.

See the complete list of recipients at https://thiswaytocpa.com/alsrecipients/.

The AICPA will once again be offering scholarships for the 2020-2021 school year. Students interested in becoming one of the AICPA’s Legacy Scholars should review the eligibility criteria and submit their applications through www.ThisWayToCPA.com starting December 1, 2019.

About the American Institute of CPAs

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 429,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives professional competency development to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.

About the AICPA Foundation

The AICPA Foundation was established in 1922 to advance accounting as a learned profession and promote its future. To encourage a wide range of talented and diverse students to pursue their CPA, the Foundation is committed to three main areas: accounting education and outreach, scholarships and fellowships, and diversity and inclusion. Within these areas of focus, the Foundation funds over $1.3 million in programming each year, provided in part by donations from individuals, state societies, accounting firms and others.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is the most influential body of professional accountants, combining the strengths of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to power opportunity, trust and prosperity for people, businesses and economies worldwide. It represents 657,000 members and students across 179 countries and territories in public and management accounting and advocates for the public interest and business sustainability on current and emerging issues. With broad reach, rigor and resources, the Association advances the reputation, employability and quality of CPAs, CGMAs and accounting and finance professionals globally.