Accounting 3:2 Student Awarded Competitive Scholarship

By Lindsay Anderson ‘04

Accounting 3:2 student Ashley Epping ’17, of Peoria, recently received the Illinois CPA Society Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship.

“The Illinois CPA Society’s scholarship programs are very competitive since the Society solicits applications from students at every accounting program in the state of Illinois,” Accounting Department Chair Dr. Simon Petravick said. “Students have to show achievements both inside and outside the classroom as well as plans to sit for the CPA exam. Students who receive these awards are among the top accounting majors in the state of Illinois.”

The $4,000 scholarship was established by the Illinois CPA Society Women’s Executive Committee to create advancement opportunities for women in Illinois. This scholarship is supported by individuals, CPA firms and companies committed to ensuring the success of other women. A lead donor to this scholarship fund is Ernst & Young LLP.

Epping is active on campus as an executive board member of Beta Alpha Psi, the national honors organization for accounting majors. Last year, she organized outreach programs to area high schools. She made a presentation at BAP’s annual meeting this summer.

“When I found out I had received the scholarship from the Illinois CPA Society, I was very happy and surprised,” Epping said.

She noted faculty interaction and learning experiences helped her achieve the recognition. She interned this summer for CPA firm RHL and will continue to work for the firm part-time once school resumes. Another internship is in the plans for next summer as well.

“People want to invest in students who are going to succeed in being an active member in the field,” Epping said. “Having great faculty and several experiential learning experiences helped me get involved within the field and bettered my chances at receiving this scholarship. I don’t know where I will end up, but I feel confident in my future as a CPA.”