20 Great Accounting Scholarships

  • Last Updated

Cashing in on accounting scholarships can make managing your own finances easier throughout college.

National and state CPA organizations have pooled resources to encourage students into this in-demand profession.

Accounting is a business niche. It’s focused on measuring, processing, and reporting financial information for investors or regulators. Majoring in accounting will teach you the “language of business” to unlock profitable jobs like:

  • financial advisor
  • accounting software developer
  • cost manager
  • controller
  • forensic accountant
  • auditor
  • tax accountant.

The U.S. News and World Report recognized accounting as the #3 best business job with an average annual salary of $75,280.

Whether you’re starting a bachelor’s or finishing your master’s for CPA licensure, achieve a higher degree ROI by saving money with these 20 scholarships for accounting.

Reviewing the Best Scholarships for Accounting Majors

1. AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship is funded by a Robert Half company. The Scholarship presents $10,000 annually to four full-time undergraduate or graduate accounting majors. They must  plan to pursue the CPA licensure. Eligibility criteria includes:

  • attending a nonprofit college accredited by the AACSB or ACBSP
  • having completed at least six credits in accounting
  • carrying an overall GPA of 3.0 or better
  • holding U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
  • exhibiting leadership capacity
  • being AICPA student affiliate members.
Contact

AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship
1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-6600
scholarships@aicpa.org
Scholarship Link

2. Anchin, Block & Anchin Scholarship

Deadline: April 21st

The New York State Society of CPAs administers the Anchin, Block & Anchin Scholarship. It provides $2,500 for full-time or $1,250 for part-time accounting majors. They must enroll at accredited in-state colleges. Qualified applicants must:

  • be legal New York residents
  • demonstrate unmet financial need
  • have completed 72+ college credits
  • have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a four-point system
  • intend to take the CPA examination
  • submit an FAE Campus Liaison recommendation.
Contact

Anchin, Block & Anchin Scholarship
14 Wall Street 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(800) 537-3635
dabela@nysscpa.org
Scholarship Link

3. Bill Rush Mosby Jr. Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 1st

Valued at $1,000, the Bill Rush Mosby Jr. Scholarship Program is hosted by the Mississippi Society of CPAs. It financially supports accounting majors at four-year colleges within the state’s borders. Acceptable schools include:

  • Alcorn State
  • Delta State
  • Mississippi State
  • Southern Miss
  • Millsaps College

Other mandatory qualifications are:

  • attaining junior standing
  • having at least six accounting credits
  • residing in Mississippi’s Natchez or Adams counties
  • achieving a 3.0 GPA.
Contact

Bill Rush Mosby Jr. Scholarship Program
306 Southampton Row
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 856-4244
mail@ms-cpa.org
Scholarship Link

4. Byron Bird Graduate Scholarship

Deadline: February 12th

The Byron Bird Graduate Scholarship is named for the first recipient of the AICPA National Public Service Award. It grants $3,000 annually through the Kansas Society of CPAs. Eligible “Sunflower State” residents must:

  • exhibit academic merit
  • leadership
  • charitable service

These must be done while earning a master’s degree in accounting full-time at an accredited in-state graduate school. More Kansas accounting scholarships include:

  • the John J. Killian Scholarship
  • Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick Leadership Scholarship.
Contact

Byron Bird Graduate Scholarship
100 SE 9th Street Suite 502
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 272-4366
info@kscpa.org
Scholarship Link

5. Cheryl A. Ruggiero Scholarship Fund

Deadline: January 29th

The Cheryl A. Ruggiero Scholarship Fund was created in 2005 by the Rhode Island Society of CPAs. The Fund awards $1,300 yearly to female accounting majors. They must who show potential for positively contributing to the public accounting profession. Suitable applicants will:

  • reside legally in Rhode Island
  • be U.S. citizens
  • be matriculated full-time in bachelor’s or master’s study
  • have a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • pursue the 150-hour CPA requirement
  • attach an accounting faculty recommendation.
Contact

Cheryl A. Ruggiero Scholarship Fund
40 Sharpe Drive Unit 5
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 331-5720
riscpamembers@riscpa.org
Scholarship Link

6. Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellowships

Deadline: October 15th

As one of the Big Four firms, Deloitte has partnered with the J. Michael Cook Doctoral Consortium. They award $25,000 fellowships. These go to 10 PhD candidates who are studying accounting full-time at an accredited U.S. university. Applicants must:

  • hold the CPA credential
  • have at least two years remaining
  • be recommended by the Accounting Department chair
  • display significant public accounting or tax experience
  • demonstrate the capacity to become distinguished collegial faculty.
Contact

Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellowships
695 East Main Street
P.O. Box 10098
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 708-4000
usnydeloittefoundation@deloitte.com
Scholarship Link

7. H. Burton Bates Jr. Scholarship

Deadline: April 4th

The Virginia Society of CPAs established this scholarship is In memory of a life member who passed away in 2005. The H. Burton Bates Jr. Scholarship grants $2,000 each year. Eligible recipients must:

  • be enrolled full-time at an accredited Virginia university
  • be entering their junior or senior year
  • maintain a minimum accounting GPA of 3.0
  • plan graduate study for the CPA exam

Other accounting scholarships include the MJW Scholarship and Verus Financial Partners Scholarship.

Contact

H. Burton Bates Jr. Scholarship
4309 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 270-5344
vscpa@vscpa.com
Scholarship Link

8. IMA Memorial Education Scholarships

Deadline: February 15th

The Institute of Management Accountants  Memorial Education Fund offers $1,000 to $2,500 scholarships. These go to student members pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting. Qualified candidates need:

  • to carry at least six credits per semester
  • attend an accredited B-school
  • have at least sophomore standing
  • intend to pursue a career in management accounting
  • take one part of the CMA exam before the Fall term
  • sustain a cumulative GPA above 3.0.
Contact

IMA Memorial Education Scholarships
10 Paragon Drive Suite 1
Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 573-9000
research@imanet.org
Scholarship Link

9. James Wilcox Endowed Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

The Florida Institute of CPAs Educational Foundation offers the James Wilcox Endowed Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship is for African American students statewide who are entering their fourth or fifth year of an accounting major. To be eligible, candidates must:

  • be active FICPA members
  • be nominated by a Florida university’s department chair
  • maintain at least part-time enrollment
  • be dedicated to the CPA profession

Residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties could apply for the 1040K Race Scholarships.

Contact

James Wilcox Endowed Scholarship
325 West College Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-2727
wilsonb@ficpa.org
Scholarship Link

10. John L. Carey Scholarship Award

Deadline: April 1st

The John L. Carey Scholarship Award memorializes his 40-year tenure as executive director of the American Institute of CPAs. It awards $5,000 annually to five graduate students pursuing a Master of Accountancy or an equivalent. Appropriate applicants will:

  • have earned a non-business bachelor’s degree
  • enroll at a United States college with AACSB or ACBSP accreditation
  • intend to earn a CPA certificate
  • take at least nine credits per semester
  • maintain satisfactory degree progress.
Contact

John L. Carey Scholarship Award
1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-6600
scholarships@aicpa.org
Scholarship Link

11. KPMG Foundation Minority Accounting Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

Since 1994, the KPMG Foundation has awarded over $15 million through its Minority Accounting Scholarships. Awards are made to students who are:

  • African American
  • Hispanic/Latino
  • Native American

They must be earning PhD degrees in accounting. Seeking this large, renewable $10,000 scholarship will require being enrolled full-time as doctoral candidates in AACSB-accredited business schools. Funding can accompany teaching and research assistantships for PhD students diversifying America’s accounting faculty.

Contact

KPMG Foundation Minority Accounting Scholarship
3 Chestnut Ridge Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 307-7932
us-kpmgfoundation@kpmg.com
Scholarship Link

12. Ledgent Diversity Undergraduate Scholarship

Deadline: October 1st

Each year, the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance collaborates with Ledgent. They present the $2,000 Diversity Undergraduate Scholarship to women of these groups:

  • African American
  • Hispanic
  • Native American
  • Asian
  • Pacific Islander

They must be studying accounting or finance. Qualified applicants must:

  • have completed their sophomore year
  • be pursuing a bachelor’s or five-year program
  • attend an accredited U.S. college
  • have an overall GPA above 3.0
  • display excellent professional character.
Contact

Ledgent Diversity Undergraduate Scholarship
2365 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 219-3532
foundation@afwa.org
Scholarship Link

13. Max Mukelabai Future Leaders Scholarship

Deadline: February 27th

The Max Mukelabai Future Leaders Scholarship is named for the North Carolina Association of CPAs Chair. He died unexpectedly at 38 in 2011. The Scholarship gifts $2,500. It goes to emerging Certified Public Accountants who are finishing their graduate study at an in-state institution. Eligible NCACPA members must:

  • have resided in North Carolina for 12+ months
  • need financial support
  • submit two recommendations
  • exhibit potential for community leadership

There’s also the $1,000 James L. McCoy Scholarship.

Contact

Max Mukelabai Future Leaders Scholarship
3100 Gateway Centre Blvd.
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 469-1040
mlittle@ncacpa.org
Scholarship Link

14. NABA National Scholarship Program

Deadline: January 31st

The National Association of Black Accountants  hosts a National Scholarship Program annually. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. They’re to help at least 50 African Americans break through barriers for an undergraduate degree in:

  • accounting
  • finance
  • business

First-year graduate students pursuing accounting master’s degrees can also apply. Active NABA student members must:

  • enroll at an accredited four-year U.S. college full-time
  • meet the minimum 3.0 GPA
  • be of African descent
  • exhibit financial need.
Contact

NABA National Scholarship Program
7474 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 474-6222
radams@nabainc.org
Scholarship Link

15. Robert H. Lange Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

The $1,000 Robert H. Lange Memorial Scholarship is from the Georgia Society of CPAs. It’s open to:

  • Juniors
  • Seniors
  • Graduate students

Eligibility criteria requires:

  • attending an SACS-accredited public or private college, residing in Georgia
  • enrolling in six or more semester credits
  • demonstrating financial need on the FAFSA form
  • possessing an accounting GPA above 3.0
  • writing a 250-word personal goals statement.
Contact

Robert H. Lange Memorial Scholarship
Six Concourse Parkway Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 231-8676
nklareich@gscpa.org
Scholarship Link

16. Robert T. Zaleski Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

The Pennsylvania Society of Tax & Accounting Professionals  grants the Robert T. Zaleski Memorial Scholarship. It’s for $2,000 to full-time undergraduates who have completed 60+ credit hours at an accredited Pennsylvania college or university. Suitable candidates will:

  • have a declared accounting major
  • display merit with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • display leadership in extra-curricular activities
  • need financial aid for tuition

Recipients also receive discounts for the Becker CPA Review course.

Contact

Robert T. Zaleski Memorial Scholarship
20 Erford Road Suite 200A
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(800) 270-3352
info@pstap.org
Scholarship Link

17. Shaun S. Tokumura Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 18th

The Shaun S. Tokumura Scholarship Fund honors a Punahou student who died tragically in a car accident. It’s administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation for at least $1,000. Potential awardees must:

  • have graduated from Hawaii public high schools
  • attend any accredited nonprofit U.S. institution
  • take at least 12 credits per term
  • major in accounting
  • have financial need
  • maintain a minimum “B” average
  • perform community service.
Contact

Shaun S. Tokumura Scholarship Fund
33 Lono Avenue Suite 390
Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 242-6184
drice@hcf-hawaii.org
Scholarship Link

18. Stanley H. Stearman Scholarship Award

Deadline: March 10th

The National Society of Accountants (NSA) honors Stanley H. Stearman, the former Executive Vice President. It awards a $2,000 scholarship to relatives of living or deceased NSA members. They must be pursuing the accounting profession. Eligible undergraduates must:

  • enroll full-time or part-time at an accredited U.S. school
  • be U.S. or Canadian citizens
  • major in accounting throughout their collegiate career
  • score a minimum 3.0 GPA

Online applications are submitted via Scholarship Management Services.

Contact

Stanley H. Stearman Scholarship Award
1330 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 966-6679
members@nsacct.org
Scholarship Link

19. Wiley CPAexcel Student Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

Partnering with the American Woman’s Society of CPAs, the Wiley CPAexcel offers a Student Scholarship. It’s for $1,000 and a free Gold CPA Review Course. Eligible are actively enrolled full-time seniors and graduate students with a declared accounting major. Fitting applicants for these accounting scholarships will:

  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • have a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • satisfy CPA exam education requirements
  • use the online review course within 12 months.
Contact

Wiley CPAexcel Student Scholarship
P.O. Box 4223
Sedona, AZ 86340
(888) 884-5669
info@awscpa.org
Scholarship Link

20. Women in Transition Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

Offering $16,000 total over four years, The Women in Transition Scholarship is gifted by the Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA). It offers  $16,000 total over four years. Eligible are non-traditional female students who are furthering their career and returning to school as freshmen. Qualified recipients must:

  • declare an accounting major
  • be U.S. citizens
  • matriculate in an accredited business school
  • demonstrate significant financial need
  • exhibit accounting aptitude

Preference is given to women who are single mothers.

Contact

Women in Transition Scholarship
136 South Keowee Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 424-3391
info@efwa.org
Scholarship Link

The U.S. Virgin Islands is the only jurisdiction where the 150-hour CPA requirement isn’t enforced. For the best accounting career opportunities, investing in at least five years of post-secondary education is virtually required. Affording training up to the master’s level for accounting competence isn’t easy though. Excellent funding resources that won’t need to be repaid include:

  • scholarships
  • grants
  • work-study
  • graduate assistantships

Consider these accounting scholarships to pave your path into a field with faster-than-average job growth at 11 percent.

GCD Staff

See also: Online Accounting Masters Degree: 20 Best Deals

This concludes our coverage of the top accounting scholarships available to reduce your college costs.

Find Your Degree!