DePaul University’s School of Accountancy & MIS is collaborating with the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program to expand a scholarship program for students who are underrepresented in accounting and pursuing a fifth-year master’s degree in accounting, audit, advisory or tax.
The DFASP works in parallel with Deloitte’s MADE (Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable), a $75 million commitment to fuel greater racial and ethnic diversity in accounting and tax, and generate more opportunities and leadership pathways for the next generation of certified public accountants (CPAs).
Program expansion opens the door for more students
Starting in the 2022-23 academic year, the number of DFSAP scholarships offered at DePaul increased from six to 10. The university also started accepting applications from students currently enrolled in any undergraduate business discipline – not just those pursuing an undergraduate accounting degree – if they have an interest in a CPA career.
Furthermore, students accepted into the program now have the option to enroll in either the Master of Science in Audit and Advisory Services Program (MSAA) or the Master of Science in Taxation Program (MST).
The selected scholars will have 100% of their tuition covered by the Deloitte Foundation and DePaul.
Making a difference for students and the accounting profession
Galen Gutierrez, Class of 2024 and 2025
When the program first began in 2021, the scholarships were awarded to students interested in the MSAA program. It has since expanded to over a dozen students in all three graduate accounting programs.
“An individual’s success requires support from many pillars: family, friends, mentors, and even an external factor like scholarships. The support from the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program gives me that extra pillar to help me achieve my goals,” says Galen Gutierrez (BUS ’24) who is pursuing the MST program.
“Before receiving this scholarship, my goal of obtaining a CPA license was far away. My financial situation prevented me from taking the next steps to achieve my goal. Now, I’m put in a spot where my goal is more obtainable than ever. The support has given me the ability to prepare and gain the necessary experience to be successful on the CPA exam and in my career.”
Kent Klaus (BUS ’82) led the charge to implement the scholarship expansion with Deloitte at DePaul.
“The DFASP’s expansion is great news for students and also for the accounting profession as efforts to increase the diversity of students eligible for the CPA exam continue to grow. A graduate degree in accounting or tax can provide these students with the education and credit hours to meet the exam requirements,” says Kent Klaus, director of the MST Program and former partner at Deloitte Tax LLP.
“DePaul is proud to collaborate with the Deloitte Foundation in this effort. The mission of the Vincentians is to create access and opportunity for all students regardless of their background,” Klaus adds. “The expansion of this scholarship program will allow us to help more students become CPA eligible and open the doors for them to aspire to a successful career in accounting or tax.”
