UAlbany Accounting Student Counts His Blessings as Scholarship Winner

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 18, 2011) – Catskill, N.Y. native Keith Gardell, a student in the M.S. Professional Accountancy program at the University at Albany, has won a $2,500 scholarship from the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA). The UAlbany accounting programs—B.S. and M.S. degrees—are among the few in the United States to receive accreditation in accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. UAlbany also has a tradition of high pass rates on the CPA exam.

UAlbany graduate accounting student Keith Gardell of Catskill has already accepted a position with Ernst & Young for next fall, after he graduates in May 2012. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

As a transfer student to UAlbany in 2009, Gardell wanted to meet new people. “The great thing about UAlbany is the incredible amount of opportunity for student involvement,” said Gardell, who joined the Student Association as an off-campus senator and became a member of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honorary organization for accounting students and professionals. Being a part of these two groups “gave me the communication skills and confidence I needed to excel, not only in school, but in a professional setting as well,” he said.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting in May 2011, he interned with Ernst & Young over the summer. Gardell has accepted a position with Ernst & Young which begins in the fall after he complete his studies in May 2012.

“It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience and I’m grateful for everything the program has taught me,” he said.

Scholarships Supported by NYSSCPA

The scholarships are based on both financial need and merit. Recipients must have declared a major in accounting in a New York state college or university that offers a state-registered accounting program. They must have at least an overall cumulative average of 3.0 and meet other requirements.

About the NYSSCPA

Representing more than 28,000 CPAs, the NYSSCPA is the oldest state accounting organization in the nation.

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