Department of Accounting

Award Amount

Up to $6,000 per recipient per academic year depending on the number of applications received and annual scholarship fund of $22,000 available. A student may not receive the scholarship for more than three semesters with a maximum lifetime award of $12,000 allowed.

Application Deadline 

Applications are accepted throughout the academic year on a rolling basis until the fund is fully claimed. 

Eligibility Criteria

If you are a Texas resident that plans to start taking the CPA exam within the next three years and demonstrate financial need, you may consider applying for the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy 5th Year Scholarship. The purpose of the TXCPA Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to students to meet the academic requirements to take the CPA Exam. The scholarship is available to students who:

• Are classified as residents of Texas (International Students on Student Visas not eligible) 
• Are enrolled at UHCL 
• Are enrolled at least half-time majoring in accounting and attending consecutive semesters or in the final semester of the degree 
• Have filed an Application of Intent to take the CPA examination with the Board 
• Have completed 15 semester hours of upper level accounting coursework at the beginning of the term in which the award is being made (e.g. If you apply in Fall 202X and the award is made for Fall 202X, you need to meet this requirement at the beginning of Fall 202X; if the award is made for Spring 202X, you need to meet this requirement at the beginning of Spring 202X).
• Are deemed to be making satisfactory academic progress 
• Have registered for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement 
• Demonstrate financial need 
• Have not met the education requirements for certification in Texas as a CPA

How to Apply

Please follow the steps at TSBPA - Scholarship - Applications - Student Application Process. Email the completed application form (Section I only) along with a copy of your Application of Intent acknowledgement letter to pan@uhcl.edu. You will be given further instructions once your application is received. 

Award Amount 

Up to $10,000 for tuition and other educational expenses. Visit the PCAOB Scholars Program for more details. 

Application Deadline

Usually around mid/late March. Please check email announcements for specific deadline for that year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Is, or will be, enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate accounting program at UHCL.
• Start classes on or after August 1 of the current year.
• Demonstrate interest and aptitude in accounting and auditing as evidenced by an  overall GPA of 3.3 or higher or being in the top 1/3 of their overall class
• Demonstrate high ethical standards
• At the time of nomination, not be a PCAOB employee or a child or spouse of a PCAOB employee. (Note: This includes all full-time and part-time employees of the PCAOB, including interns, and independent consultants who are natural persons.)
• Demonstrate financial need (Defined as being eligible to receive a Pell Grant or requiring other Federal financial aid for a significant portion of the expected or actual billed cost of attendance, as determined by the institution)

How to Apply

Please email pan@uhcl.edu and indicate your interest in this scholarship along with a copy of your current transcripts, a current resume, and a short essay on how this scholarship would benefit you in terms of achieving your career and academic goals and help the scholarship committee get to know more about you. You could see the profiles of some of the scholarship recipients for example on the PCAOB Scholars Program website. Of course, your essay should reflect your personal background and story. 

Award Amount 

$2,500

Application Deadline

Usually around mid-October. Please check email announcements for specific deadline for that year. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Attend an eligible college or university in Texas or be enrolled in an accounting program at a community college in Texas that has been awarded the designation to offer Qualifying Education Credit for CPA Examination by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.
• Be nominated by the chairperson (or their chosen designee) of the school currently attended. 
• Be an accounting major with the intent of becoming a Texas Certified Public Accountant and entering the accounting profession upon graduation. The student is expected to be enrolled as a full-time college student (at least 12 semester hours each semester for undergraduate students/at least 9 semester credit hours each semester for graduate students). A student enrolled in an approved community college program is expected to be enrolled in at least 9 semester credit hours. 
• Have satisfactorily completed at least 110 semester credit hours of college-level courses by August 31 of the current year and graduate no earlier than spring of next year. 
• Have completed 21 semester credit hours of accounting courses required of accounting majors by August 31 of the current year. 
• Have an Accounting GPA of 3.6 or more on a 4.0 scale. 
• File an Application of Intent to sit for the CPA Exam with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. Applicants must submit evidence that an Application of Intent to take the CPA Exam has been filed with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. The verification email received from the Board can be uploaded during the application process. 
• Be a Student Member of the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) or have submitted a new Student Member application. (There is no charge for student membership - Become a Member | TXCPA) 

How to Apply

Please check the email announcements for the Application Form. In addition, applicants must email a current transcript during the application process. If the applicant has attended more than one university, the cumulative college transcript should show grades and credit received from all previous schools. If the transcript does not show a previous record, then a separate transcript (or transcripts) will be required. Finally, the verification email received from the Texas State Board as evidence of an Application of Intent to take the CPA Exam has been filed.

Please email the above items to pan@uhcl.edu by the deadline. You will be notified if you are nominated for the Scholarship and given further instructions to complete the application. The TXCPA Board will make the final decision on the recipient of the award. The nominee will be notified of the decision in December of the current year. 

Award Amount 

$2,000

Application Deadline

Usually around mid/late March. Please check email announcements for specific deadline for that year. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Women accounting students
• Citizen of the United States of America 
• Declared accounting as her major
• Graduated from a Houston area high school or is currently attending a Houston-based college or university 
• Completed 20 hours toward a degree
• Completed 12 hours of accounting, and 
• Submit an application by the deadline.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities and achievements, community involvement, and professional recommendations.

How to Apply

Please check the email announcements for the Application Form. Only applications postmarked by the deadline will be considered. Applications, official transcripts, and three (3) recommendation letters must be received in one package and mailed to the designated address no later than the deadline to be included in the evaluation process. 

Please include your email and a phone number on the application. Award notification will be made in May of the current year. 

Award Amount

$500 to $3,500

Application Deadline

Usually around late February/mid-March. Please check email announcements for specific deadline for that year. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a U.S. citizen or a legal Texas resident (green card holder). 
• Be an accounting major entering their senior year at an accredited four-year college or university, or a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in accounting in an accredited program, or those seeking the additional 30 hours of education to become eligible for a CPA license in Texas. College or university should be located within the Houston CPA Society's thirteen-county membership area. 
• File an Application of Intent with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA). 
• Have a GPA of at least 3.25 in accounting and 3.0 overall. 
• Have taken a minimum of 12 hours in accounting courses. 
• Have declared accounting as the major. 
• Have been considered a full-time student (at least 12 hours per semester if an undergraduate and 9 hours per semester if a graduate student) immediately prior to the current semester. 
• Be a member of TXCPA Houston. Complimentary TXCPA student membership is available. 
• Demonstrate financial need, superior ethics, social responsibility, and high scholastic achievement on campus based on the judgment of accounting faculty.
• Be planning to continue in an educational program at the university through the Fall semester of the year of the award received.

How to Apply

Please check the email announcements for the Application Form. Only applications postmarked by the deadline will be considered.

Instructions: 

• Official transcripts from colleges or universities, where the applicant is currently and was previously enrolled, must be submitted with this application. 
• A recommendation letter from the professor or person in charge of the accounting or business program at the institution where applicant is presently enrolled must accompany this application, as well as signing the application form. 
• Send the application, the official transcript, verification that the application of intent has been received by Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA), and the letter of recommendation to the TXCPA Houston. (see the application form last page for the address.) 
• TXCPA Houston and the Accounting Scholarship Committee reserve the right to refrain from awarding scholarships in the event applicants do not meet the desired qualifications. 
• Students receiving scholarship awards are expected to participate in TXCPA Houston activities when possible.
• Award notification will be made in May of the current year. 

Award Amount 

$2,500 -$4,000

Application Deadline

Application is open in February and award of scholarship is contingent on availability of funding and is made for the following academic year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Major: Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student in the College of Business, with a preference given to students majoring in accounting or management information systems
• GPA: Minimum 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
• Status: Preference is given to students enrolled in a minimum of 9 
  undergraduate or 5 graduate hours per semester
• Financial need is not a factor
• Recipient name will be shared with ISACA for professional recognition and networking invitations.
• Additional Documentation: Submit an essay, 1 page minimum - 2 page 
  maximum, 12 pt. font, describing your degree and career goals that fit ISACA goals.

How to Apply

Students need to apply through the E-services. Please check out UHCL Current and Continuing Scholarships for detailed instructions.

Accounting students have a wide range of career choices. UHCL accounting students have successfully secured positions in many of the following areas:

• Public accounting (e.g., auditing, forensic accounting, appraising services, and tax)
• Private accounting (e.g. cost accounting, financial accounting, actuarial accounting, and auditing)
• Financial services (e.g., business valuation and financial analysis)
• Government and non-profit (e.g., local government, fund accounting, and IRS jobs)

The Accounting Advisory Board includes accounting professionals who have significant career accomplishments and high ethical standards. Its purpose is to provide guidance and assistance that aligns accounting courses and curricula with accounting practice and improves the functioning of the Accounting department. The following are the members of the Accounting Advisory Board:

Ronny Bedford
CBIZ, Inc.

Ashley Boyer
Fortis Bank

Jennifer Canas
Astrotech Corporation

Jaclyn Cheslock
Sulzer Pump Services

Michael Dummer
Chapelwood United Methodist Church

Rumy Jaleel-Khan
Deloitte Advisory

Chris Japczynski
Weaver and Tidwell, LLP

Larry Johnson
TF Companies

Michael Landers
UHY, LLP

Shannon McCain
Crowe, LLP

Douglas Moore
Chevron Phillips Chemical

Greg Owen
Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB)

Carrie Owens
EMCOR Industrial Services

Ruben Perez
LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors

Nikolas Reigleman
BDO USA, PC

Heather Rodriguez
OxyVinyls, LP

Stephen Sutton
Texas Crude Energy, LLC

Laurian Tollett
DRDA, PLLC

The University of Houston-Clear Lake Accounting mentorship program provides students with opportunities to interact with accounting professionals. The mentoring relationship is normally for one regular school year (which ends in May). The program is open to Accounting majors at the junior, senior, and graduate levels.

Goal

To help prepare University of Houston-Clear Lake Accounting students for their careers by connecting them with a mentor for professional and personal guidance.

Objectives

• Learn about the profession of accounting and how it is changing.
• Improve soft skills, including verbal communication and how to act and dress professionally.
• Increase awareness of useful business resources, including books, websites, and seminar materials.
• Provide guidance on how to adapt to an office environment and work remotely.
• Give advice on methods to achieve work-life balance.
• Enhance awareness of the importance of professional certifications.
• Encourage membership in professional organizations.

Activities

Meetings between mentor and mentee over one regular academic year (ending in May), with frequency between once every week and once every four weeks. Meetings can take place in-person, virtually, or by telephone.  We recommend that at least one meeting take place in-person. All in-person meetings must be at a public location. In addition, all mentors and mentees are required to attend one 15 to 30 minute mentorship program kick-off (introductory) meeting before involvement in the mentorship program. The meeting will be held virtually.

Expected Outcomes

• Access a trusted professional for one-on-one advice and interaction.
• Improve verbal communication skills.
• Improve self-confidence in a business environment.
• Enhance career development.
• Establish competitive advantage in the business world.
• Increase preparation in the professional job market.
• Receive guidance on pursuing certifications (e.g., CPA, CFE, CIA, CISA, CMA). 

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Becoming a Mentor

1. Review the participant expectations and the FAQs below.
2. Fill out an application form.

Mentor Application Form

Becoming a Mentee

1. Review the participant expectations and the FAQs below.
2. Fill out an application form.

 Mentee Application Form

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Participant Expectations

Mentor

• I will follow through the mentoring process over the period of the mentoring relationship.
• I will encourage my mentee to communicate openly.
• I will respond to my mentee’s questions in a timely fashion as my schedule allows.

Mentee

• I will be proactive in requesting assistance from my mentor.
• I will make the best use of our meeting time by preparing thoughtful questions in advance.
• I will share with my mentor my goals and objectives for my career. I will be ready to ask for advice on my goals.
• I will respond promptly to my mentor’s communications.
• I will be a good listener.
• I will be on time with commitments or meetings. If I must cancel a meeting, I will inform the mentor when I know I will be unable to attend.
• I will be courteous to and respect my mentor.
• I will keep details of conversations with my mentor confidential and will not publicly evaluate my mentor. This includes social media.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the mentorship program offered?

During the regular academic year (which includes Fall and Spring semesters).

How long does the mentoring relationship last?

Normally, during the regular academic year, which ends in May.  If the mentee graduates or otherwise leaves UHCL before the end of the regular academic year, the mentoring relationship will end when the mentee leaves UHCL.

How frequently should the mentor and mentee meet?

The mentor and mentee should meet at least three times in a semester.  One of the characteristics in which a mentor and a mentee are matched is the frequency with which they would like to meet.

In which format (e.g., in-person, virtual, telephone) can the meetings take place?

The meetings can take place in-person, virtually (e.g., Teams meeting), or by telephone. We recommend that at least one meeting take place in-person.  Please note that all in-person meetings must take place in a public location.

What if the mentee and mentor do not 'click'?

A mentoring relationship is about listening, learning, communicating, and relationship building.  Sometimes it gets off to a ‘rocky’ start but improves over time.  However, in some cases, the match may not be ideal.  If you would like to discontinue the relationship before the end of the regular academic year, please contact the mentorship coordinator at Lacina@uhcl.edu. 

Can the mentor and mentee continue the mentoring relationship for more than the regular academic year?

The mentor and mentee may be able to continue their relationship for more than the regular academic year.  This depends on the availability of mentors and the number of students who apply to the mentoring program.  We want to give all students who apply to the mentoring program a chance for a mentoring relationship.

As a mentee, can I stay in the mentoring program beyond one regular academic year but with a different mentor the next school year?

Yes, if there are enough mentors available for the students who applied to the mentoring program.  We want to give all students who apply to the mentoring program a chance for a mentoring relationship.

How many mentees are assigned to a mentor?

Either one or two mentees is assigned to a mentor.  We will only assign two mentees to a mentor if the number of mentees is greater than the number of mentors and the mentor agrees to take on a second mentee.

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Participating Professionals

The following are the professionals participating as mentors along with their affiliations: 

Ivette Armenta
CBIZ, Inc.

Ronny Bedford
CBIZ, Inc.

Ashley Boyer
Fortis Bank

Kenneth Bratton
CBIZ, Inc.

Jason Fuqua
CBIZ, Inc.

Ashlee Higginbotham
BDO USA, PC

Jaden Holbrook
BDO USA, PC

Timothy Papa
BDO USA, PC

Nikolas Reigleman
BDO USA, PC

Heather Rodriguez
OxyVinyls, LP

Laurian Tollett
DRDA, PLLC

In recent years, we have successfully placed students in various international, national, regional, and local public accounting firms such as Ernst and Young, KPMG, BDO, Harper Pearson, Whitley Penn, Ham Langston & Brezina, DRDA, Doeren Mayhew, etc. Our graduates have also secured positions at leading companies in the oil and gas industry, healthcare, and the financial services industry.

Number of graduates over the prior three academic years (2022-23 through 2024-25):

Accounting B.S. - 249

Accounting M.S. - 56

Andrhea Chu is a Tax Associate at EY. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from UHCL in 2023. In addition to interning at EY, she was a Tax and Audit intern at Weaver and Crowe, respectively. She is in the process of obtaining her CPA license after passing the exam. Andrhea received her black belt in martial arts at the age of nine in the Philippines and won at the national level.

Nicole Gerry is an Internal Auditor at Live Nation Entertainment. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from UHCL in 2023. She worked in public accounting for BDO in 2024 before earning her CPA license, transitioning to an industry role, and earning her CFE certifications in 2025. Nicole is an integral part of testing controls and investigating fraud in her workplace. She serves regularly at her church in Manvel, where she volunteers as a youth mentor and leader.

Molly Zhang is a Senior Accountant at U.S. Capital Wealth. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration in 2014 and a Master of Science degree in Accounting in 2022, both from UHCL. Mrs. Zhang is a former auditor for PwC and holds a CPA license. She has volunteered at the Galveston County Food Bank and as a Sunday school teacher at her local church.

We actively engage our students with accounting professionals and provide them with networking opportunities through the annual Accounting Recruiters' Reception in fall and Meet the Firms in spring.

Many students secured valuable internship opportunities through these events and most led to full-time employment. Check the UHCL News and Events and the UHCL Accounting Association webpage for the latest information.

• Beta Alpha Psi - Zeta Upsilon Chapter
• UHCL News and Events
• UHCL Accounting Association

A significant number of UHCL accounting students obtain internships with accounting firms and companies of various sizes. Many of those internships lead to permanent positions. Students in an accounting internship who meet specific requirements have the option of  enrolling in a three-credit hour internship course. For more information on the internship course, see the following document:

Requirements for the Accounting Internship Program