ICPAS distributes $93.5K in scholarship money to aspiring Black CPAs

The Illinois CPA Society named the recipients Tuesday of the nearly $100,000 it committed to giving to 100 Black accounting students to enable them to study to become CPAs.

Back in March the ICPAS sought out applicants for the scholarships to commemorate the centennial of the first Black CPA, John W. Cromwell Jr., in 1921 (see story). The $93,500 raised during the society’s Black CPA Centennial celebration last year are being distributed as scholarships to provide financial support for expenses related to preparing for or taking the CPA exam, including college tuition toward CPA eligibility, related classroom materials, CPA exam preparation courses, CPA exam application fees, tutors and more.

“Our intent was to help pave the way for more Black individuals to pursue the CPA credential and succeed in a more diverse and inclusive CPA profession,” said ICPAS president and CEO Todd Shapiro in a statement. “The 100 scholarships we’ve been able to award, in honor of the 100-year commemoration, are going directly to deserving students and professionals to provide meaningful financial assistance to each of them as they strive to overcome their unique financial barriers during their pursuit of the coveted CPA credential.”

The names of the 100 recipients of the Aspiring Black CPA Scholarship can be found here.