Scholarships offer incredible opportunities for accounting students who are looking for financial assistance. They also offer a chance to showcase your skills and experience and connect with some of the most significant networking opportunities in the accounting field.

That’s exactly what many of the accounting graduates of the Lubin School of Business have experienced, courtesy of our exclusive partnerships with Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), three of the world’s “Big 4” accounting firms and the most respected names in the profession.

We’re proud to offer these incredible opportunities to both our undergraduate and graduate students. In this post, we’ll explain these prestigious scholarship options and how they help you save on tuition, build connections with global accounting leaders, and launch your accounting career.

Who Are the Big Four Accounting Firms?

The Big Four—Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and KPMG—are the largest global accounting and professional services networks. They provide audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services, plus support for mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Together, these firms audit the financial statements of most publicly held companies.

• Deloitte: Deloitte is the largest of the Big Four and is considered the top firm in the United States and globally. In its 2025 fiscal year (FY), Deloitte had more than 470,000 employees and reported $70.5 billion in annual revenue—numbers that reflect its unmatched scale, reach, and industry influence.
• PwC: PwC is a leader in the global advisory market, operating in more than 155 countries. In FY 2025, the firm reported $55.3 billion in revenue and expanded its workforce to more than 364,000 employees. The second largest of the Big Four, PwC’s continued growth signals strong demand for accountants with skills in audit, advisory, and technology-driven services.
• EY: EY is the third-largest firm, focusing on business transformation driven by people, technology, and innovation. For FY 2025, EY reported $53.2 billion in revenue and employs approximately 400,000 professionals across more than 150 countries.
• KPMG: KPMG rounds out the Big Four and operates in more than 140 countries, which includes offices in nearly every U.S. state. Known for its tax, audit, and advisory work, the firm also has deep expertise in digital transformation, performance improvement, and ESG. KPMG generated $38.4 billion in revenue in 2024 and employs more than 275,000 people worldwide.

None of the Big Four is a single, unified company. Each is a network of independently owned and managed firms that collaborate under a shared brand and global quality framework.

Benefits for Students: Why the Big Four Matter

For emerging and aspiring accountants, any experience with a Big Four firm—whether it's through networking, internships, or early-career roles—can be career-defining. These firms are known for rigorous selection processes, high performance expectations, and unmatched exposure to complex, real-world work. As a result, even short-term involvement with a Big Four firm can strengthen a résumé and signal to future employers that you have the skills, professionalism, and drive the industry demands.

The Big Four offer multiple entry points for students, including summer internships, work-experience pipelines for those from underrepresented backgrounds, and university-aligned placements and scholarship programs. Many of these programs will help you build professional networks early and give you access to hands-on learning to showcase your skills and talent to prospective employers (including any of the Big Four firms themselves).

Students at the Lubin School of Business benefit from distinctive partnerships with Big Four firms. To date, Lubin accounting graduates have secured 115 partner and 70 senior management positions across all of the Big Four firms. Many of these partners and senior managers got their start through one of Lubin’s three exclusive scholarship programs.

First, the Deloitte Foundation funds a scholarship program that covers 100% of tuition for select students entering Pace’s graduate accounting programs. We’re also honored that EY and KPMG each offer scholarships of up to $5,000 for eligible undergraduate accounting majors in their third, fourth, or fifth year, providing crucial support to Pace students.

Big Four Firm-Sponsored Awards for Pace

Now that you know the types of scholarships available, here are the specific details of each financial award, including funding breakdowns, deadlines, and eligibility requirements.

Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars

The Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program collaborates with Pace University to attract top talent and expand access to the CPA profession. Together, the Deloitte Foundation and Pace provide up to ten full-tuition scholarships to qualified applicants pursuing a fifth-year master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in audit, advisory, or tax.

Recipients who are recognized as Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars receive full financial support for tuition and applicable academic fees during their final year of graduate study, provided they graduate by or before a specified deadline.

• Amount: 100% of tuition and academic fees, excluding books and living expenses, if students maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA for all semesters and upon graduation.
• Deadline: April 1, 2026
• Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or have completed, an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. college or university, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants must also be committed to a career in public accounting or taxation and to pursuing CPA licensure (not already licensed as a CPA) and demonstrate financial need by having a completed FAFSA on file.
• Benefits: Supports students pursuing a five-year accelerated master’s in tax or accounting with a focus on audit, advisory, or tax.

Download the Application

KPMG Fund for Excellence in Accounting

The Scholarship Fund for Excellence in Accounting Education is established by KPMG Partners and professionals to promote educational excellence in accounting at the Lubin School of Business' Department of Accountancy. The KPMG Fund provides scholarship awards of $5,000 each to outstanding students, consisting of $2,500 for the fall semester and $2,500 for the spring semester.

• Amount: $5,000 ($2,500 for the fall semester and $2,500 for the spring semester)
• Deadline: TBD for 2026
• Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens enrolled in the Lubin School of Business in a qualified accounting program and maintain a 3.30 GPA overall and in accounting at Pace University. Students must demonstrate involvement and leadership in either co-curricular activities at Pace or service organizations in their local community or high school.
• Benefits: The Scholarship Fund for Excellence in Accounting Education is granted annually and may be used for tuition and/or related costs. Recipients may receive this award for no more than three academic years, during their third, fourth, and/or fifth year of undergraduate study at Pace, as long as they remain eligible according to scholarship criteria. All award recipients must attend a fall dinner event, hosted by KMPG, to qualify for the scholarship.

Download the Application

EY Accounting Scholarships at Pace

The Ernst & Young Fund for Excellence in Accounting Education was established by Ernst & Young LLP to promote educational excellence in accounting at Pace University. The Fund will provide scholarship awards of $5,000 each to outstanding students, consisting of $2,500 for the fall semester and $2,500 for the spring semester.

• Amount: $5,000 ($2,500 for the fall semester and $2,500 for the spring semester)
• Deadline: May, annually
• Eligibility: Open to Lubin School of Business accounting students with a 3.30 GPA or higher, these awards recognize those who demonstrate strong leadership and active involvement in campus activities, community service, or high school organizations. Students must be enrolled full-time during both the Fall and Spring semesters. Students must be US citizens to be eligible for this scholarship.
• Benefits: The Ernst & Young Fund for Excellence in Accounting Education is granted annually and may be used for tuition and/or related costs. Students may receive this award for no more than three academic years, provided they remain eligible according to scholarship stipulations.

Download the Application

Additional Scholarships for Lubin Students at Pace University

If you’re interested in attending The Lubin School of Business and are in need of additional financial assistance, consider applying for these additional merit- and need-based awards.

• The Janetschek Professional Growth Fund provides financial support to qualified Lubin undergraduate and graduate students seeking business-related development beyond their academic programs. This may include skills training, credential preparation, certifications, and related co-curricular education and activities that develop professional competencies and complement their program of study.
• Graduation Awards for Lubin Undergraduate Students are available to Lubin undergraduate students who have filed for graduation with the Office of the Registrar and have a minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA. Qualifying students can be eligible for the Professional Management Award and the Alumni Association Award.

Ready to learn more about your financial aid opportunities? Review the Lubin School of Business’ Scholarships page.

Tips for Applying to Scholarships

The competition for these accounting scholarships can be high, so securing them takes strategy and preparation. Use these tips and tools to navigate the process and boost your chances of success.

1. Start early and stay organized: Begin your application as soon as possible, such as in the fall or early winter, and treat the process like a professional project. Create a timeline, track requirements, and build in review periods to ensure you’re still on track. An early start gives you time to refine materials, request documentation, and avoid last-minute stress.
2. Plan to highlight your academic rigor and professional potential: Maintain a strong GPA and showcase coursework or projects that reflect your analytical strengths. When thinking about who to ask for recommendations, choose supervisors, professors, or mentors who can speak to your integrity, work ethic, and attention to detail, all qualities which are highly valued in accounting.
3. Demonstrate your initiative and fit: Show that you’ve researched both the accounting programs and the specific scholarship opportunities. Tailor each essay to discuss your goals, how the scholarship will support your professional trajectory, and why this program is the right place for you. Use your personal statement to demonstrate not just what you’ve achieved, but why you’re committed to advancing in the field.
4. Review, refine, and validate every detail: Just as in accounting, accuracy matters. Double-check eligibility requirements, deadlines, and submission instructions. Proofread your essays and application materials carefully, and if possible, ask a trusted mentor to review them. A polished, error-free application signals professionalism and reinforces your credibility as an emerging accountant.

Pace’s New York City location gives accounting students direct access to the Big Four and other leading firms, connecting aspiring accountants like you to internships, mentorship, and real-world experience that launches careers. More than 1,900 Pace alumni now work at Big Four firms, including more than half of the Class of 2021 graduates with accounting-related degrees.

These scholarship programs advance Pace’s mission by expanding opportunity, supporting equity in the profession, and investing in the next generation of accounting leaders. Earning any of these accounting scholarships can be a game-changer for your accounting career, as they’ll help you build a powerful professional network—one you’ll carry with you long after graduation.

Learn more about each scholarship opportunity via the links in this post, or request information today if you need help in taking the next step.

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