2026 KyCPA Advantage Scholarship
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Kentucky Society of CPAs is pleased to offer our Advantage Scholarship, which will provide CPA review materials for students affected by outside challenges.
Eligible students are defined as one of, if not many of these qualifications:
• First-generation college students
• Students eligible for Pell grants
• Students from under-resourced high schools or particular ZIP codes with low college attendance
• Students who have overcome educational, economic, caregiving, disability, or geographic barriers
• Students must be currently enrolled in or graduated within one year from the date of application from a Kentucky college/university or a Kentucky resident attending a border state (IN, OH, TN, WV, VA, MO, IL) college/university with intent to pursue CPA licensure and practice in Kentucky.
Scholarships are awarded through the Kentucky Society of CPAs Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The intent of this program is to support disenfranchised Kentucky students in pursuit of their CPA licensure.
Timeline:
The applications deadline is August 14th, 2026.
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee will select the scholarship winners by August 21st 2026. The winners will be notified by KyCPA and contacted by the CPA Exam review providers.
Contact ccole@kycpa.org if you have any questions.
Black CPA Centennial
The Kentucky Society of CPAs is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the CPA profession. We recognize the importance of celebrating and honoring the 100th anniversary of the first Black CPA, and we do so with our deepest appreciation for those who paved the way for diversity in our profession.
KyCPA Behind the Numbers Podcast Episode 034: Black CPA Centennial, Kentucky's first Black CPAs, and more.
The Kentucky CPA Journal
Issue 3, 2021 features articles regarding the first Black CPAs in the U.S. and Kentucky and more. Click here to read articles.
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
2021 marks the 100 year anniversary of the first CPA certificate granted in the U.S. to a Black CPA, John W. Cromwell, Jr. In 2019, a AICPA survey found, that among all CPA firms that responded to the survey, only 2 percent of CPAs were Black.
Behind the numbers Podcast
Click here to listen or to view.
Part 1
KyCPA members Rene Valadez and Kim Burse discuss the Society's Diversity and Inclusion Committees' four-phased process to develop recommendations to promote not only diversity of the profession and inclusion of underrepresented groups, but that will also increase the percentage of these individuals studying, pursuing and remaining in the accounting profession.
Part 2
Rene Valadez and Kim Burse share AICPA diversity and inclusion resources and personal experiences during their professional journey towards becoming a CPA and now as members of the CPA profession.
D&I committee
Click here to meet KyCPA's Diversity and Inclusion 2020-2021 committee chair, Rene Valadez, CPA.
Diversity Recruiting Plan Template
As you think about staffing for the upcoming year, consider the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives and backgrounds in your firm’s work and culture. Whether recruiting online, through social media or through campus events and job fairs, be sure to develop an actionable diversity recruiting plan to map out your efforts for finding top talent. In fact, your firm may want to take an additional commitment to diversity by applying to be a cosponsor for the PCPS George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship and Internship program.
This tool is an example of the turnkey practice management tools and resources PCPS delivers. PCPS is an add-on firm membership section within the AICPA. A PCPS firm membership, at only $35 per CPA, up to a max of $700 per firm, is a great investment for a broad range of practice management resources. Find out if you are already a PCPS member or register for a virtual tour to learn more.