Accounting Scholars program gives junior new skills, development opportunities
Christian Cervantes knew business was his passion when he started a small business in high school. The junior finance and accounting double-major from Olathe, Kansas, would buy and resell hard-to-get items for consumers, like unique shoes, limited-edition Stanley Tumblers and vintage clothes. Through this experience, he realized he was already practicing the basics of finance and accounting without knowing it. So, when it came to choosing a major and a school, the decision was simple.
“I already had that entrepreneurial desire, and I was hoping that with the knowledge I get from here [the School of Business] that I could find that again with other opportunities,” Cervantes said.
When he began his academic journey at KU, his goals were simple: maintain a high GPA and be a part of more business-related programs. When he learned about the Accounting Scholars program in ACCT 323 Honors Intermediate Accounting with Rachel Green, accounting lecturer, he knew he wanted to apply.
The Accounting Scholars program is a two-semester program designed for accounting majors in their second or third year of school. The program, with tuition cost provided by KPMG, allows students the chance to get advanced job search skills, mentorship from alumni and hands-on learning, among other benefits. Accepted students take two one-credit hour courses throughout the program.
Cervantes says he was further pushed to apply when he saw the unique experiences he could gain from the program.
“I knew that it helped find niche opportunities in accounting, and honestly even now as a junior, it’s hard to say for certain what I want to do, so I think that has helped me,” Cervantes said.
Cervantes applied in fall 2023 and after completing general interviews, was accepted into the program as part of the school’s first cohort for the spring 2024 semester.
Since becoming an Accounting Scholar, Cervantes says he has seen a variety of benefits and exposure to different aspects of the accounting industry, as well as deeper connections with both peers and professionals.
“I feel like I’m more connected with my peers, because being in class with them helps me network with them,” Cervantes said. “I’ve also gotten to speak to many professionals that have been in the accounting industry for sometimes decades, and it’s nice to hear that experience.”
His advice for other students considering applying for the program is to “be honest with why you want to be here and be personal about it.”
Before beginning the program, Christian had an internship lined up with EY for summer 2024, but he says Accounting Scholars helped show him how to stand out as an intern and set goals and expectations going into the position.
Along with being an Accounting Scholar, Christian is part of the MSP in Business, where he was paired with Kristen Stack, assistant professor of accounting, as a mentor. Cervantes says both Stack and Green have guided him throughout his time at KU.
“It’s been amazing to watch him navigate an intense academic curriculum while exploring the accounting industry and career,” Stack said. “We talk about his entrepreneurial spirit and his ideas about helping his community. He asks me questions about my research and my teaching load, and we talk about being a first-generation college student. His authenticity and his ability to genuinely connect leave a lasting impression.”
Being a junior, Cervantes doesn’t know exactly where his skills will take him after his four years at KU, but his main goal is to have a post-graduation job lined up and to complete his CPA within one year of graduating, using the skills he gained at the School of Business and as an Accounting Scholar.
Learn more about the Accounting Scholars program and apply by Nov. 10 at business.ku.edu/accounting-scholars.
By Lauryn Zebrowski
