5 firms. 5 students. Up to $100,000 in scholarships for our shared commitment to a diverse and forward-looking profession.
Firm applications due November 1, 2019. To apply, click here.
CPA firms of all sizes understand the business case for developing a diverse team. But many firms are challenged to find, retain and develop ethnically diverse talent. That’s why PCPS is connecting member firms with promising accounting majors of ethnically diverse backgrounds. By participating, your firm demonstrates your commitment to diversity while gaining an edge in recruitment. Your firm will serve as the entry point to practical experience and exposure to public accounting firms — both critical success factors in increasing ethnic diversity in the profession. As an added measure of our support, PCPS will award up to $20,000 of financial assistance per student to encourage their ultimate entry into the CPA profession.
How the scholarship/internship works
- Your firm applies to serve as a cosponsoring firm that provides an internship to the student during busy season 2021 (January–April)
- The accounting student applies for consideration for the George Willie Ethnically Diverse Scholarship & Internship
- AICPA PCPS selects five firms and five students, and awards up to $20,000 per student towards their tuition, in exchange for an internship at your firm
More advantages for your firm’s participation
Because diversity adds value across the profession, firms of all sizes are encouraged to apply. As a selected cosponsor, you’ll:
- Distinguish yourself in the marketplace because of your demonstrated commitment to diversity
- Have an edge in recruiting for busy season 2020 and beyond, as your motivated intern may convert to a full-time hire after graduation
- Improve retention of promising professionals and attract clients who want to work for a diverse and forward-thinking firm
- Gain the satisfaction of knowing you are playing an important role in expanding knowledge of and interest in the profession
- Receive recognition as a cosponsoring firm and benefit from ongoing PCPS support to help maintain effective diversity and inclusion practices
Requirements to be a cosponsoring firm
To be eligible, your firm must:
- Be a current PCPS member firm and commit to remaining a PCPS member firm for the duration of the program and 3 years thereafter
- Demonstrate the infrastructure, commitment and innovation in embracing diversity and inclusion in the firm
- Commit to offer one awarded ethnically diverse student an internship during busy season 2021 (January–April)
- Apply to be a cosponsoring firm today!
- More information on the commitment of a George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship & Internship cosponsoring firm can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding.
To apply to be a cosponsoring firm, click here.
To learn more about PCPS membership, visit aicpa.org/pcps or contact us at pcps@aicpa.org.
About George Willie
George Willie, managing partner at Bert Smith & Co., is a former chair of the PCPS Executive Committee and the AICPA Minority Initiatives Committee. Throughout his more than 35 years working in public accounting, George has tirelessly promoted the benefits of an accounting career. He has constantly supported high school and college students, as well as young professionals in pursuit of the CPA designation. George is a significant contributor to the academic activities of the student members of National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Institute of the Caribbean, is a leading supporter of Howard University School of Business, has established an endowment fund for high-achieving minority students pursuing degrees in accounting at the American University Kogod School of Business, and is a prominent supporter of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies. George has also been recognized as NABA’s Outstanding Accounting Leader, has received NABA’s National Achievement Award in Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Public Accounting and the Diversity and Inclusion Award by the Michigan Association of CPAs. In addition, he’s been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of both Howard University and American University, was recipient of the 2015 Caribbean Luminary Award, and was elected as an Honorary Councilor of National Council of the Philippine American Canadian Accountants, to name a few. It is our privilege to award scholarships in George’s honor to ethnically diverse students in pursuit of an accounting degree.