FASB/GASB Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program
Both the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board sponsor a postgraduate technical assistant program twice a year (programs commence in summer and winter) for individuals who are planning a career with an emphasis in accounting. Each program is a one-year term, during which the individual becomes highly involved with the accounting standards-setting process and comes to have an in-depth understanding of the roles played by preparers, auditors, and users of financial information. View more information
Nomination Process
The University of Illinois Accountancy department is invited annually by the Financial Accounting Foundation to nominate up to four students to the PTA program. To apply for one of these nominations, you must submit a required packet of information to a faculty committee. The committee then reviews applications and conducts interviews with finalists. Applications are generally due to the committee in October and nomination decisions are made in November. Detailed deadlines and instructions for the nomination process are communicated annually. The FASB's interview process occurs during December through March.
Eligibility
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Expect to complete a double undergrad major or Master's degree in Accountancy by December 2025
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This program is not appropriate for students enrolled in the Tax option
To express interest in the program, submit the required packet of information to devinw@illinois.edu by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 31, 2025. Your packet must include:
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Transcript of all college courses
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Grade-point average for accounting courses
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Resume
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Gies Accountancy faculty member reference, including contact information
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Statement of interest, addressing the following questions: Why are you interested in this program? What particular financial accounting topic interests you the most, and why?
Here is what MAS students had to say about the PTA program:
"The PTA program provides firsthand knowledge of the standard setting process, as you play an integral role in multiple projects on the FASB's/GASB's agenda. Responsibilities include drafting and presenting technical memoranda to facilitate Board discussion during deliberations; conducting and analyzing stakeholder feedback; and drafting due process documents, including proposed Accounting Standards Updates. My year at the FASB had a profound impact on my development as a new accounting professional. As a PTA, you are surrounded by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced individuals in the field of accounting. The Board and Staff also bring various perspectives and experiences (as they are a mix of former preparers, practitioners, users, and academics), which contributes to receiving a more well-rounded and practical understanding of the impact of accounting decisions to different stakeholders. The knowledge gained as a PTA is invaluable to me and directly relates to my current role in accounting advisory within public accounting."
— Brian McKeown (MAS, 2016)
"After interviewing with the GASB Chairman and project staff, I knew that the PTA program would surround me with some of the most impressive minds in accounting and further stimulate my growth as a professional exponentially."
— Chris Billing (MAS, 2020)