Professional Growth Opportunities

Accountancy students in Gies have the opportunity to complete one of the best accountancy programs in the country. However, there are more opportunities for growth outside of academics. Below are some of our other opportunities for professional growth you can take advantage of while still a student at Illinois. These opportunities include workshops, internships, and even some additional support for the CPA.

We would highly recommend checking out these options and see if any would interest you as you prepare your for life after graduation.

Professional Experience Opportunities

Outside of academics, we highly encourage ACCY students to participate in at least 1 internship and to take advantage of our various professional developments events before graduation. Below you will find other workshops & internships designed to help ACCY student be more competitive in the job market after graduation.

Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program

The Illinois CPA Society has an annual, all-expenses paid opportunity which launches underrepresented college students into the accounting profession with access to training, resources, and mentors. At the end of the program, employers interview the students for a variety of paid accounting internships that could lead to full-time jobs. View more information

Here is what one of our incoming MAS students had to say about the program:

"This experience changed my life! I received helpful resume tips, interview advice, and learned all about the CPA exam. I learned important lessons about my professional presence, attitude, and etiquette, which has provided me with a greater sense of self confidence."

— Abisola Oladigbo (MAS, 2021)

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

  • Expect to complete a double undergrad major or Master's degree in Accountancy by December 2025
  • 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:

  1. Transcript of all college courses
  2. Grade-point average for accounting courses
  3. Resume
  4. Gies Accountancy faculty member reference, including contact information
  5. 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)

AICPA & CIMA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW)

The AICPA Foundation sponsors an annual leadership workshop for underrepresented accounting, tax, and finance students. Selected students will participate in learning session and panel discussion covering a wide array of topics such as developing leadership skills and passing the CPA exam. The AICPA and other organizations will cover most of the costs associated with the event. View more information

Here what some of our students had to say about their experience at the Accounting Scholarship Leadership Workshop:

"The ASLW was such an amazing opportunity and I'm very grateful to have been invited to attend along with all the other prestigious students from all over the US. During the workshop, we listened to speakers tell us about their journey through the accounting profession and how they overcame adversity. We also had the chance to talk with many professionals who work in various industries which helped me learn about the different paths an accounting degree can lead to. Most importantly for me, however, were the relationships I was able to build with other students who are just like me. Hearing their stories of how they handled adversity motivated and inspired me to keep moving forward with my education and become a CPA. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I would encourage every accounting student to attend."

— Robert Navarro (MAS, 2020)

"The AICPA and the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop gave me the opportunity to hear from successful individuals both in and outside of the accounting profession. I received a lot of resources and support and it felt great to be surrounded by student leaders all striving towards one common goal: passing the CPA exam."

— Mia Shah (MAS, 2020)

Memberships & Scholarships

As Gies students, you have the opportunity to become members of a variety of academic and professional groups. While many of them are student groups such as fraternities, sororities or RSOs, there another organizations you can become a member of outside of Illinois.

National Society of Black CPAs (NSBCPA)

Earlier this year NSBCPA launched a first-of-its-kind Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam Bootcamp Program for Black Accounting Students.

The National Society of Black CPAs is laser-focused on increasing the number of Black CPAs. We developed our own CPA Exam Review that encompasses study methods to enhance the skills of Black students by providing professors from our community.

This one of a kind virtual program also includes:

1. Placement Assessment

2. Pre-recorded Black CPA/professor accounting sessions

3. Weekly CPA exam review sessions led by Black CPAs

4. Weekly accountability study sessions

5. CPA mentor assigned to each student

6. Application and test fee support

You must be an active NSBCPA student or CPA Candidate member to apply, which you can do there: https://www.nsbcpa.org/application

Additionally, please note the deadlines are January 5, 2024 for the FAR cohort. If you or someone you is ready to apply to CPA Breakthrough. They can go to https://www.nsbcpa.org/become-a-cpa and log in to the application once they have their NSBCPA login details.

Join the AICPA -for free- as a Student Affiliate Member

The AICPA is the largest professional organization for CPAs- providing technical resources, training, and networking opportunities, as well as expert guidance to CPAs worldwide.

In addition to the tools and resources to support your journey to CPA, AICPA Student Affiliate Members get:

  • Access to exclusive scholarships opportunities and member-only programs
  • Valuable industry news and publications via email and online
  • Exclusive offers and deals from partners like Dell, Lenovo, Hertz, FedEx and more
  • Special pricing on not-to-be-missed conferences
  • Deep discounts on the latest industry info

Join now for free here

Join the Illinois CPA Society -for free- as a Student Member

The Illinois CPA Society's FREE student membership provides access to valuable information, programs, and support.  They offer scholarships, career development, CPA exam resources, and more!  If you join while you're still in school, the Society will grant you with one year of FREE professional membership after you graduate.  Students can join online HERE!

AICPA Legacy Scholarships

Snag an AICPA Legacy Scholarship and you'll be a member of the elite AICPA Legacy Scholars.  The coinage will help pay for college, and the program will provide you with skills that make you even more appealing to employers.

Interested in becoming an AICPA Legacy Scholar?  Explore information on all of the scholarships we offer below:

  • AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs- $3,000-$10,000
  • AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship Award- $5,000
  • AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students- $3,000-$10,000
  • AICPA Foundation Two- year Transfer Scholarship Award- $5,000

National Scholarship Search - If you don't qualify for an AICPA Legacy Scholarship, don't fret.  There are plenty of other scholarship options to explore.

APPLY HERE

CPA Exam Resources

You can find a variety of academic and financial support for the CPA on our resource page here; however, there are a few additional financial resources to help off-set the costs of the CPA exams listed below.

AICPA Foundation CPA Exam Scholarship

Times are tough and AICPA is here to help.  We've just launched the first-ever AICPA Foundation CPA Exam Scholarship.  At least 75 extraordinary applicants will be paid up to $1,000 in a lump sum to reimburse CPA exam fees and preparatory courses. (Open Date: June 1, 2024; Close Date: September 30, 2024)

Applicants must provide a copy of Notice to Schedule (NTS) for at least one section of the CPA Exam and a copy of the receipt for payment of exam application fees.  For reimbursement of CPA Exam preparatory courses/materials, applicants must provide proof of purchase with their application.  Some recipients may be awarded less than the full amount of this scholarship.

An Eligible Applicant Must:

  • Be an AICPA Student Affiliate member or an AICPA CPA Exam Candidate Affiliate member (or have submitted a new member application).  AICPA Student Affiliate membership is free.  A promotional code is available within the scholarship application to waive fees for the first year of AICPA CPA Exam Candidate Affiliate membership.
  • Be planning to pursue CPA licensure, but not currently be a CPA.
  • Be approved to test by NASBA or your State Board of Accountancy and agree to sit for at least one part of the exam within nine months of the date on the application approval letter.
  • Not have already completed all four parts of the exam (may have completed up to three parts).
  • Have some financial need (i.e., not receiving any scholarship, grant, or employer reimbursement that would cover exam cost or preparatory courses).
  • Recipients may be current or prior AICPA Legacy Scholarship recipients.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).

Required Documents:

  • A copy of a Notice to Schedule (NTS) AND a copy of your receipt for payment of exam application fees.
  • If applicable, receipts of paid exam preparatory courses for reimbursement (no more than $1,500 will be reimbursed to selected recipients for exam fees and or exam preparatory courses).
  • An official academic transcript from your graduate and/or undergraduate degree where you met the 120 or 150 credit hours requirement; state dependent.
  • A copy of your updated resume.
  • A completed online application.

Apply Here

Contact Information: scholarships@aicpa.org

Illinois CPA Society- CPA Exam Award

Amount: Approximately $1,000 reimbursement for NASBA fees

Available in Fall: November 30/ Deadline: January 30

Available in Spring: January 30/ Deadline: June 30

Click to APPLY

The CPA exam award reimburses candidates approximately $1,000 for the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy fees and helps bridge the gap between the number of graduating accounting majors and new CPAs. The high cost of the CPA exam is often the last financial hurdle aspiring CPAs must overcome. These CPA candidates have achieved their 150 credit hour requirement, applied to sit for the exam, and are often at the beginning stages of their job search.

Scholarship Requirements:

  • Intend to earn CPA license in Illinois within the next year
  • Not have completed all four parts of the exam but may apply with a portion of the exam completed
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Have not received a CPA Exam Award previously
  • Have out-of-pocket exam costs of at least $1,000

Illinois CPA Society Scholarship Program

The Illinois CPA Society scholarships are funded by the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois. The scholarships recognize accounting students and CPA candidates who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership qualities, and financial need. Annually the Fund awards approximately $250,000 in scholarships and outreach support to more than 275 of the most diverse and deserving accounting students across the state.

Student Testimonial:

"As the recipient of two Illinois CPA Society scholarships, I'm here to tell you that it's absolutely worth the time it takes to apply!  I get it- you have a lot going on.  I did too!  I held a busy-season internship, served in leadership roles on campus, and earned my BS with honors.  It's tough to find the time for everything!  Receiving this scholarship removed so much stress from my life.  It lightened my financial burden so that I could cut back on my hours at work and focus on achieving my goals.  Now, I'm graduating in May with less student debt, studying for the CPA exam, and ready to start my full-time job in October!  If you are eligible, DO NOT miss your chance to apply for one of these scholarships.  The deadline is just a few short weeks away, so get started today!"

- Paige Cosgrove

APPLY HERE