Bentley University Launches Effort To Diversify Accounting Major

WALTHAM, MA — Bentley University is collaborating with the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program (DFASP) to fund scholarships for students pursuing a fifth-year master's degree in accounting with the goal of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the field.

Over the next six years, the DFASP expects to fund $30 million in scholarships for students pursuing an accounting degree from select Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredited schools, including Bentley University. Participating colleges and universities and the Deloitte Foundation will cover 100 percent of tuition for selected students.

“The scholarship opportunity helps to reduce one of the many barriers to entry that students from underrepresented groups may face in their educational pursuits and helps facilitate more inclusive and equitable access to a rigorous accounting education,” said Bentley Assistant Professor of Accountancy Kerri-Ann Sanderson in a statement

The DFASP is a critical tenet of Deloitte’s Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE), a $75 million commitment to generate more opportunities for the next generation of certified public accountants (CPAs). MADE aims to transform the future of the accounting profession by addressing the identified barriers faced by racially and ethnically diverse students.

“Our Deloitte Foundation is laser focused on driving education initiatives that help prepare the next generation of diverse business leaders,” said Deloitte Foundation president Erin Scanlon in a statement. “We are proud to fund the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program as an important step in strengthening the pipeline of next generation CPA talent.”

Scholarships for students pursing fifth-year master's degree in accounting will be granted in 2022. Interested students should apply for admission to Bentley University and then separately apply to be considered for the DFASP. Winners are chosen by each participating school.

For more information about the program, visit the Deloitte MADE website.