A University of Central Arkansas accounting student has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) for the 2015-2016 academic year.
UCA graduate student Melissa McDowell, of Little Rock, was one of 84 students from various colleges and universities in the US to be selected for the PCAOB scholarship. McDowell graduated from UCA in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and is currently pursuing a Master of Accountancy.
McDowell said that the faculty in the Department of Accounting was contacted to recommend a student for the scholarship.
“I was shocked and honored that they would think so highly of me. I respect my teachers very much and for them to choose me is immensely flattering,” said McDowell.
PCAOB awards scholarships to encourage students to pursue a career in audit. According to PCAOB, to qualify for a scholarship, students must “be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in accounting, demonstrate interest and aptitude in accounting and auditing and demonstrate high ethical standards.”
McDowell said that although she is not currently working in audit, she completed a summer internship in audit at Thomas & Thomas. She is also a graduate assistant in the Accounting department.
“Anyone who has worked with the UCA Accounting department will say how helpful all the teachers and staff are,” said McDowell. “They will find any way to help each and every student, both in class and preparing for life after college. I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.”
