OU Student Earns Scholarship From Public Accounting Board

Jodie Madeja, a recent OU graduate and current student in the university’s Master of Accounting program, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Madeja is one of only 234 students in the country to be named a PCAOB Scholar for the 2020-2021 academic year. The program benefits outstanding students who are likely to become accountants and auditors. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in April 2020, Madeja immediately enrolled in OU’s Master of Accounting program and is preparing to take the exam to become a certified public accountant next spring.

“This scholarship means so much to me,” said Madeja. “I have worked full time the entire way through college, and by sticking to a very strict budget I have been able to cash-flow my entire education. Receiving this scholarship relieves tremendous financial stress in my life.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must meet various requirements, including possessing an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher or being in the top third of their overall class. They also must demonstrate high ethical standards. Scholars are nominated by representatives from their educational institutions. Donna Free, faculty director of accounting programs at Oakland University, nominated Madeja for the award.

“Jodie is an excellent student with outstanding organizational skills and work ethic,” said Free. “These qualities are key to a career in accounting and that is why I nominated her for the PCAOB Scholarship. I know she will be successful in our Master of Accounting program and in her future accounting career.”

Madeja’s career is already off to a promising start. Since 2016, she has worked for an IT company in Sterling Heights and was promoted to the role of staff accountant soon after earning her bachelor’s degree.

“I learn so much from my work, and I am thankful I am able to apply what I learn in my classes to my work and vice versa,” she said.