Deloitte Foundation teams with Fordham on grad scholarships

The Fordham University Gabelli School of Business is collaborating with the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program to diversify the accounting pipeline and support students of color.

Launched in 2021 under the Deloitte Foundation, the DFASP works in parallel with Deloitte's MADE, Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable, a $75 million initiative that aims to create more opportunities for aspiring accountants and promote greater representation for students from diverse backgrounds. The Deloitte Foundation expects to fund $30 million in scholarships for students over the next five years, including students interested in pursuing a fifth-year master's degree in accounting or tax through the DFASP. 

"The Deloitte Foundation accelerates innovation and equity in education to build pathways to opportunity for the workforce of tomorrow," said Deloitte Foundation president Erin Scanlon in a press release. "We are very excited to bring the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program to more colleges and universities this year to engage more diverse students in pursuing a career in accounting or tax." 

Nearly 20 U.S. colleges and universities are collaborating with the Deloitte Foundation  to increase racial and ethnic diversity within their programs. Aside from books and living expenses, selected students will have their tuition completely covered by DFASP-participating schools and the Deloitte nonprofit.

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The 90-year-old foundation has also been responsible for the Deloitte Foundation Matching Gifts Program since 1972, which encourages retired and active Deloitte employees to sponsor higher education and support students' professional journeys. More than $38 million has been donated to over 500 U.S. colleges and universities in Deloitte Foundation matching funds over the last five years, including historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.

"Our philosophy focuses on empowering students who are passionate about business with a higher purpose — not only to generate profit but also produce positive change for social justice, equitable outcomes, environmental sustainability and lasting and impactful change," said Stan Veliotis, associate professor and area chair of accounting and taxation, in a statement. "We see the diversification of the fields of accounting and tax as being critical to this process."

To apply for fall 2023 scholarships, students have until March 31 to apply to the Fordham University Gabelli School of Business for an MS in accounting or taxation. Students will need to make a separate application to join the DFASP, and participating schools will be in charge of selecting scholarship recipients.

"Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity may not be. There is an urgent and long-term need to create racial and ethnic equality in accounting, business and society more broadly, and I am delighted to see this collaboration between the Deloitte Foundation and Fordham University and the resulting opportunity it presents for participating students," said Deloitte managing partner Roger Arrieux Jr. in a press release. "This program helps to strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent entering the CPA profession."