Educational Foundation of the CSCPA 

• About the Foundation
• Board of Trustees

About the Educational Foundation of the CSCPA

The demand for qualified accounting personnel historically has exceeded the supply of top candidates. In 1958, concerned CSCPA members formed an Education Committee to encourage high school and college students to enter the accounting profession.

 It became apparent almost immediately that to attract the "best and brightest" students, financial assistance would be required due to the increasing cost of a college education. This led to the creation of The Educational Foundation of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants as a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization charged: "To promote accounting education and research by providing financial assistance to individuals engaged in the study and teaching of accountancy in Colorado."

Since 1961, the Educational Foundation has awarded over 900 scholarships to deserving high school graduates and third- and fourth-year accounting majors attending one of Colorado's 16 accredited four-year colleges and universities. The Educational Foundation also has provided financial support for accounting research grants to college professors. In total, over $700,000 has been awarded in scholarships and research grants through the generous donations of CSCPA members, accounting firms, and other supporters. These scholarships have transformed young people's lives and offered students remarkable opportunities to further their accounting careers and have brought tremendous talent and leadership into the profession.

Scholarships are awarded primarily based on merit and the student's commitment to the accounting profession as a career goal. While the Foundation has seen many success stories, there is still a need to help more students. For information on scholarships and applications, please click here.

Every dollar contributed to the Educational Foundation is put to good use. Historically, the CSCPA has absorbed overhead and staff expenses, enabling the Educational Foundation to reduce its operational and fundraising expenses significantly. A majority of the funds have been raised through fundraising drives or through "named" scholarships provided by accounting firms and companies that believe in the importance of providing deserving students with financial assistance to complete their accounting degrees.

Along with annual fundraising, the Educational Foundation encourages you to consider making a planned gift through your estate planning. With your support, the Foundation can help today’s students prepare to lead the CPA profession in the future. For more information on planned giving or to make a contribution to the Educational Foundation, e-mail Executive Director Susan Vaschereau, or call her at (303) 741-8612 or (800) 523-9082, ext. 112.

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Board of Trustees

Officers

• Lori Nelson, Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman - President
• Mark J. Smith, Mark J. Smith & Associates – Vice President
• Paul J. Herz, Fort Lewis College – Secretary/Treasurer

Trustees

• John D. Bazley, University of Denver
• Amy M. Bathrick
• Marc C. Hendrikson, Citywide Banks
• Gerald R. Kaiser, GHP Horwath PC
• Steven E. Mithuen, Clifton Gunderson LLC
• Mary E. Medley, CSCPA

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