Illinois CPA Society Launches Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students may now apply for the new Illinois CPA Society Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program, which aims to provide up to 25 African-American and other underrepresented minority sophomore and junior accounting students with exposure to the profession, practical training, financial resources and access to mentors.

Named for the country's first female African-American CPA, the program is a three-day, all-expenses paid training in downtown Chicago. Washington Wylie was a trailblazer for minorities in the accounting profession by offering apprenticeships for African-American CPAs when others would not. In the spirit of her contributions to advancing diversity, this program brings skill-building and internship opportunities to students in Illinois. On the final day of the program, participants have the opportunity to interview for paid internship positions with some of the most prestigious accounting firms in the Chicagoland area. 

Each selected scholar will receive a $500 scholarship to bring their newfound skills and knowledge back to campus to share with other students in the form of presentations, workshops and guest speakers.

To be eligible for the program, minority students must have sophomore or junior standing at an Illinois college or university during the 2012-2013 school year, have a 3.0/4.0 GPA and complete the application, which can be found online at www.icpas.org. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2012.

This program is funded by donations to the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois' Mary T. Washington Wylie Opportunity Fund. We are very grateful for the support of the following major corporate donors: ComEd; Crowe Horwath LLP; Deloitte LLP; Draper and Kramer, Inc.; Ernst & Young LLP; Grant Thornton LLP; Illinois CPA Society; KPMG LLP; Loop Capital; and Washington, Pittman & McKeever, LLC.

About the Illinois CPA Society
The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fourth largest state CPA Society in the nation, with more than 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois. During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.

About the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois
The CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization founded in 1998 by Illinois CPA Society members. Its mission is to assure a strong, talented, and diverse CPA profession by encouraging individuals to choose accounting as a career choice and become a CPA and supporting students, particularly those in need, in achieving the CPA through scholarships and other programs.

SOURCE Illinois CPA Society