The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) recently demonstrated its commitment to the next generation of financial professionals, awarding $188,000 in scholarships to 44 high school and college students.
The awards were presented during the society’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony on April 23 at the Pines Manor in Edison. The evening served a dual purpose: providing financial runway for aspiring accountants and honoring 61 newly licensed New Jersey CPAs who recently entered the profession.
The NJCPA Scholarship Fund distributed awards to a diverse group of scholars across the state:
- High School Seniors: 14 students from schools including Arts High School (Newark), Bridgewater Raritan, and Montville Township received $1,500 each to support their transition into accounting majors.
- College Students: 30 students currently enrolled in New Jersey institutions—such as Rutgers, Seton Hall, and Stevens Institute of Technology—received individual scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000.
Recipients were selected based on a rigorous vetting process that included academic performance, standardized test scores, essays, and personal interviews.
The 2026 awards highlight the profession’s push for diversity and corporate social responsibility. For the fifth consecutive year, the Deloitte Foundation funded multiple awards, specifically targeting high school and college students on accounting pathways.
Furthermore, the NJCPA collaborated with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of Black Accountants – Northern New Jersey (NABA-NNJ) to issue Minority Scholarships, ensuring a more inclusive future for the New Jersey accounting landscape.
“At a time when the accounting profession is rapidly evolving, we welcome the skills, innovation and talents they can bring to its future,” Angela Garofalo, president of the NJCPA Scholarship Fund and partner at Citrin Cooperman said.
Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, CEO and executive director of the NJCPA, emphasized the vital role of the membership in this initiative. “We are grateful to the generosity of our members, who donated their time to review applications, become mentors and provide the necessary resources for these students to start their accounting journeys.”
Since its inception in the 1960s, the NJCPA Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $7 million to over 1,700 students. This year’s fund was bolstered by major accounting firms including CohnReznick, EisnerAmper, Forvis Mazars, and Withum, as well as several “in-name-of” awards honoring past NJCPA presidents and influential members.
