CPA Ontario Foundation Supporting Black and Indigenous Students Through a New Strategic Partnership and Bursaries
TORONTO, ON, May 2, 2023 – The CPA Ontario Foundation, which supports the educational success of aspiring CPAs facing barriers to pursuing their goals, is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership and bursary program in support of Black and Indigenous students over the next two years.
The Foundation has entered a partnership with Pathways to Education to co-create long-term mentoring, tutoring and career exploration opportunities for Ontario high school students, while also introducing them to the CPA designation and the wide range of career options it can offer. Pathways to Education provides youth from low-income communities the resources and network of support to graduate from high school and build the foundation for long-term success.
“Young people living in low-income communities often face significant barriers that make it difficult to access the knowledge, training, and skills they need to succeed in Canada’s competitive job market,” says Quinn Bingham, vice president and chief development officer, Pathways to Education Canada. “Our partnership with the CPA Ontario Foundation will play a critical role in leveling the playing field for Pathways youth by exposing them to a professional accounting career and giving them the necessary supports to pursue it.”
The Foundation has also created two bursary programs, Black Student Success and Indigenous Student Success, which are awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Through these bursaries, 10 post-secondary institutions in Ontario will receive funding over the next two years to help support aspiring CPA students. These institutions include:
- Algoma University
- Algonquin College
- George Brown College
- Laurentian University
- Seneca Polytechnic
- St. Lawrence College
- Sheridan College
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Trent University
- University of Windsor, Odette School of Business
Black and Indigenous post-secondary students in financial need will be able to apply for bursaries directly through these academic institutions for the 2023/24 school year.
“Whether a student decides to pursue the CPA designation for a career as a forensic accountant, an entrepreneur or an auditor, we are dedicated to helping them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential,” said Daniela Carcasole, CPA, CA, chair, CPA Ontario Foundation. “By partnering with Pathways and post-secondary institutions across Ontario, we can help advance our mission to provide students from priority communities equal and equitable opportunities, while fostering the next generation of diverse business leaders and building a stronger future for our profession.”
About the CPA Ontario Foundation
The CPA Ontario Foundation is the charitable organization associated with CPA Ontario. Its mission is to empower more diverse groups of people to enter the profession through access to education, skills development, and opportunities. The Foundation will build strong academic and community partnerships to help achieve this goal.
About the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
We protect the public. We advance our profession. We guide our CPAs. We ensure that our more than 100,000 members and 21,000 students meet the highest standards of integrity and expertise. We help them stay ahead of global market trends and abreast of regulatory change. CPAs represent a globally recognized, premium designation. Our Chartered Professional Accountants are valued by organizations in all industries for their financial expertise, strategic thinking, management skills and leadership. We believe that success happens when both business and society benefit.
For more information, please contact:
Kathryn Hanley
Vice President, Communications
[email protected]