The American Institute of CPAs is accepting applications for the 2021 Private Companies Practice Section George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship and Internship program.
This year, scholarships and internships will be provided to 10 minority accounting students — doubled from previous years — who are pursuing CPA licensure. Scholarships are worth up to $10,000 each and aid students with their final year of tuition. Ten PCPS member firms will also each sponsor a student for an internship during the 2021 tax season.
The program honors the legacy of George Willie, former chair of AICPA’s PCPS Executive Committee and the AICPA Minority Initiatives Committee, who promoted the benefits of accounting careers to students over his 35-year career.
This year's participating PCPS member firms include:
- Abdo, Eick & Meyers — Edina/Minneapolis and Mankato, Minnesota
- Anders CPA — St. Louis, Missouri
- Bowman & Company — Voorhees Township, New Jersey
- Dean Dorton — Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky
- Gumbiner Savett Inc. — Santa Monica, California
- King & Oliason — Seattle, Washington
- Krost CPAs — Pasadena and Woodland Hills, California
- Moss Adams — All office locations
- O'Connor & Drew P.C. — Braintree, Massachusetts
- SobelCo — Livingston and Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
“The George Willie program is a great opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge they’ll need in a career as a CPA,” said Carl Peterson, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants’ vice president of small firm interests, in a statement. “These internships also allow the firms an opportunity to diversify their recruiting efforts and attract talented accounting students.”
“The AICPA is committed to bolstering diversity and inclusivity in the profession, and this is a great vehicle for doing that,” said Shelly Frazier, AICPA senior manager of diversity and inclusion, in a statement. “Not only does the program help minority students complete their accounting education, but it connects students and firms, offering the potential to build life-long careers.”
The application period is open through April 16, 2021. Students interested in the program can visit the AICPA's
