Bentley University’s Master’s in Accounting Fellowship program provides recipients with a full scholarship towards a Master’s in Accounting (MSA) degree, mentorship, and customized career development support. The demand for diversity in the accounting profession is high, and this program aims to provide those groups who are underrepresented in the profession with the financial, academic, and career support to start on a rewarding career in this field.
Bentley is looking for motivated candidates to apply and join our program. College faculty and administrators, as well as industry professionals, are invited to nominate students for consideration.
Fellowship Details and Requirements
100% Tuition Funding
Fellows receive full tuition remission in Bentley's one-year MSA program. Awards are specific to tuition only and do not cover housing, meals, or other types of personal expenses
Faculty Mentorship
Fellows are assigned a faculty mentor and receive assistance navigating CPA requirements and preparation, dedicated career development sessions, and cohort-based social and networking opportunities.
Corporate Mentorship
Fellows are assigned a corporate mentor from the sponsoring organization.
Career Services
Fellows receive support and guidance from Bentley's award winning Career Services office.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Enrollment begins in the fall with the option to start classes in May or August.
- Eligibility varies based on the guidelines of each corporate sponsor. In general, candidates should be completing an undergraduate accounting degree at an accredited U.S. institution by May 2025 with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher who intend to pursue CPA and are eligible for employment in the U.S. Some scholarships indicate a preference for applicants from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the field of accounting.
- Candidates should not hold an employment offer acceptance to participate in the program.
- Candidates are required to enroll full-time in the Bentley Master's in Accounting (MSA) Program.
- Due to the rigor of the program, students should not be engaged in full-time employment while enrolled in this program.
- This fellowship does not require placement with corporate sponsors upon graduation.
- Each corporate sponsor has specific additional requirements and candidates should meet all the criteria to be considered eligible.
Application Instructions
How to apply for the Master's in Accounting Fellowship program
Candidates interested in this fellowship program will apply directly to the MSA program through the standard Bentley Graduate Application.
Corporate Sponsor
Bentley University is proud to collaborate with the Deloitte Foundation to champion diverse talent entering the CPA profession. Together, Bentley and the Deloitte Foundation are happy to support students with a record of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by providing a limited number of full scholarships to the Bentley University Master’s in Accounting program.
Specifically, the criteria to be considered for this scholarship are:
- Currently enrolled in a Historically Black College University (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), or other accredited College, or University in the United States
- Pursuing an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in accounting from an accredited program, with all degree requirements to be completed no later than May 2024.
- Strong academic track record; minimum of 3.0 GPA ( on 4.0 scale)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must meet the standards for admission into a Deloitte Foundation selected AACSB accredited college/university master's program in accounting
- Have an interest in pursuing a career in public accounting and obtaining their CPA, but not presently a CPA
- Selected participants must matriculate to the University's full-time master's of accounting program for the duration of the academic school year (September through May)
- In the spirit of supporting a racially and ethnically diverse student population, the University will also endeavor to consider applicants from underrepresented demographic groups who meet the recipient eligibility criteria above.
Meet Some MSA Fellows
Aidan Ignatius, MSA Fellow, Class of 2024
"The Bentley MSA fellowship program significantly enhanced both my tax and auditing capabilities allowing me to excel in any accounting role I take on. Moreover, the program gave me invaluable opportunities to meet with experienced accountants to build a strong professional network."
Darian Smith, MSA Fellow, Class of 2024
"Bentley’s MSA Fellowship program has helped introduce us to technology and programs used in the accounting profession today. Bentley’s diverse and comprehensive curriculum incorporates real-world experiences that help us learn and develop new accounting skills. The resources and guidance I received attending Bentley have helped me become a better business professional and person."
Elisandra Fontes, MSA Fellow, Class of 2024
"My experience in the fellowship at Bentley University was truly extraordinary. The program both challenged me and significantly strengthened my skills, while also providing abundant resources for my success. I am also deeply grateful for the mentors who guided me through the program, offering invaluable insights and advice preparing me for my career in one of the Big 4 firms. Ultimately, I chose Bentley University due to its renowned reputation for fostering student career development and its commitment to providing substantial financial support to further my education.”
David Gozali, MSA Fellow, Class of 2024
"I chose the Bentley MSA Fellowship program because I deeply valued its focus on real-world insights and the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals in the field. The program’s rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and invaluable networking opportunities have made my experience both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling."
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Faculty Mentor Biography
Kerri-Ann Sanderson, Phd, CPA is an assistant professor in the Accountancy department at Bentley University. She is a former Big4 auditor and is a certified public accountant (CPA) with 10 years of experience in public accounting, internal auditing and corporate budgeting with Fortune 500 companies. Her research focus is in experimental-behavioral auditing topics specifically in the areas of auditor judgment and decision making, and internal auditing. Kerri-Ann's research is published in leading journals such as Contemporary Accounting Research, Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Behavioral Research in Accounting, and Journal of Information Systems. She serves on the editorial boards of Accounting Horizons, Current Issues in Auditing, and Journal of Information Systems. Her teaching interest is in accounting information systems. She is an AICPA Doctoral Fellow and a KPMG Foundation PhD Project Doctoral Fellow.