AICPA Scholarships Provide More than $350,000 to Top Accounting Students

The fine folks at U.S. News and World Report have recently released their Top 100 Jobs for 2013 report and ‘accountant’ came in as the third best business job and number 36 of all jobs.

I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but with the profession’s modest 4.2% unemployment rate, and a median salary of more than $62,000, there is a lot to like about a career in accounting.

Rebecca Mahler, manager of career research at the AICPA, stressed to U.S. News and World Report how important it is for aspiring accountants to become certified. "It's really the gold star on the resume," she said. "It's an invaluable credential, and you get a 10 to 15 percent higher salary."

What’s more, there is plenty of room for the profession to grow! According to a Yahoo! Article on the top growth jobs for 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 15.7% growth between 2010 and 2020, which means there will be an additional 190,000 positions to be filled.

Let’s say someone is reading this and thinking, ‘I’m glad I am studying accounting… But man college is expensive. I wonder if there are any scholarships available…’

You are in luck, hypothetical student. The AICPA recently announced that undergraduate and graduate level accounting students may now apply online for scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year.

“The AICPA is committed to ensuring that qualified students can get the education they need to take advantage of the possibilities a career as a CPA offers,” said Scott Moore, director – career awareness. “I encourage all eligible students to review the opportunities available, both through the AICPA’s scholarship program and also those listed on ThisWayToCPA.”

With the average student loan debt for a graduating senior at almost $27,000, any help defraying the costs of college is welcome for students, and their parents.

Students may apply online at ThisWayToCPA.com or through the links below:

AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship: awards 10 scholarships to undergraduate and/or graduate students
AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship: awards 10 scholarships to non-business majors pursuing their graduate studies in accounting
AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students: awards more than 80 scholarships to minority undergraduate and/or graduate students

James Schiavone, AICPA Staff.

Scholarship application image via Shutterstock.