WMU accountancy student recognized with $5,000 scholarship

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University student Aedan McCauley, an accountancy major from Montague, Michigan, has received the Michigan Accountancy Foundation Final Year Scholarship, a $5,000 scholarship awarded to students who are in their final year of studying accountancy at a Michigan college or university.

“My most meaningful experience at the Haworth College of Business has been the development of valuable professional connections and friendships,” says McCauley. “Through shared goals with other accounting and business students and my involvement as a member of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, I have created lasting relationships. These connections have allowed me to collaborate with other like-minded students to accomplish meaningful goals and to grow professionally and personally.”

Of all his faculty relationships, McCauley’s most influential mentor is Dr. Jim Penner, chair of the Department of Accountancy. “After transferring into WMU Haworth, I focused on getting involved as much as possible to create a strong foundation in both professional skills and accounting,” says McCauley. “Dr. Penner guided me in the accounting program and directed me to a variety of career opportunities. Without his help and expertise, it would have been a much more difficult process. Since entering the college, I have received two back-to-back internship offers after just one semester, and I attribute that to my positive experiences in the Western accounting program and mentors like Dr. Penner.”

McCauley notes that the Michigan Accountancy Foundation Final Year Scholarship will enable him to finish his final semester strong, while also preparing to take the CPA exam.

“Aeden is a great student, and it is wonderful to see his hard work recognized by the Michigan Accountancy Foundation,” says Penner. “I am excited to watch him finish his degree from the Department of Accountancy and excel in his career in public accounting. The Michigan Accountancy Foundation’s support of accounting talent at WMU Haworth makes a significant impact and assists students like Aedan in achieving their career goals.”

About Aedan McCauley

Aedan McCauley is an accounting student who is also pursuing a minor in music. He has been on the dean’s list each semester during his time at WMU. McCauley recently completed an internship at Crowe LLP in tax and is beginning an audit internship with PwC this summer. During the academic year, he works as a private music teacher at Kalamazoo Music School. He is also studying jazz piano at the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music. Following graduation, McCauley intends to take the CPA exam and become fully certified before beginning a full-time role. He plans to work as a CPA in the Grand Rapids area.

About the award

Each year, the Michigan Accountancy Foundation (MAF) awards scholarships to accounting students attending colleges and universities across Michigan. Accounting majors in their senior year are encouraged to apply. The MAF scholarship program seeks to build diversity within the profession and to assist current accounting majors in funding their fifth/graduate year. Several named scholarships are offered, as well as the Accountants Coalition Minority Scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded varies each year depending on the amount of available funding. On average, eight to 10 students will receive scholarships.

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