Julie Vandenberg has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) intended to encourage outstanding accounting students to pursue careers in audit. An accounting major in Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business, Vandenberg was one of only 253 students selected to receive the scholarship

Since 2011, the PCAOB has given this merit-based award to select students who exhibit excellence in an accounting degree program and have been nominated by a professor.

“I am honored to receive this scholarship, and grateful to Dr. David Herda for giving me the opportunity to receive it,” said Vandenberg. “I will use this opportunity to learn as much as I can and turn this knowledge into a good career.”

Vandenberg plans to pursue a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) at Louisiana Tech following her undergraduate graduation. In addition to completing a liquids asset accounting internship with Enterprise Products Partners this summer, Vandenberg has been selected to intern with EY starting in January.

“The College of Business has prepared me for my next steps by providing opportunities to interview with the Big Four as well as guiding me in the right direction with many career events,” she said. “My professors have given me the tools needed to study for the CPA exam and to succeed in the business world.”

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

“Julie is an outstanding representative of the School of Accountancy and our College,” said Dr. Chris Martin, Dean of the College of Business. “We’re grateful to the PCAOB for providing this support for students looking to pursue accounting or auditing careers. Our School of Accountancy consistently produces students and graduates who excel in the profession. I have no doubt Julie will continue that tradition of excellence.”

For more information about the PCAOB scholarship, visit pcaobus.org.