Despite the restless economy and the resulting challenges for fundraisers, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) not only continued to reach for, but surpassed its $1Million Millennium Scholarship Campaign goal.

The campaign, which ran for only 15 months and ended in January, raised more than $1,015,000 to increase the number and dollar amount of scholarships awarded to accounting students and to increase awareness about the benefits associated with a CPA career path. Campaign supporters included CPA firms from across the state, corporations, foundations and NJSCPA members.

"This is a fantastic accomplishment. Yet again, New Jersey CPAs have demonstrated their commitment to their profession and to supporting accountancy education," said Sharon L. Lamont, CPA, president of the NJSCPA Scholarship Fund and NJSCPA past president. "A big thank you goes out to all who contributed, along with our most heartfelt congratulations to Donald R. Richards, CPA, who initiated the plans for and oversaw this campaign."

Richards, past president of the NJSCPA Scholarship Fund and a partner at Ernst & Young, explained that the additional funding will allow New Jersey CPAs to get the good word out about their profession.

"In recent years, the role of the CPA in the worlds of business and finance has expanded dramatically," said Richards. "Those who earn their CPA today are provided with a means for developing their strategic thinking, leadership and communications skills and are offered a wide range of career opportunities covering such areas as forensic accounting, litigation services, technology management and financial planning, as well as accounting. More than most other educational pathways, an accounting education opens up a wealth of opportunities."

The Millennium Scholarship Campaign was conducted as part of the NJSCPA's ongoing commitment to education. In addition to offering scholarships to New Jersey high school and college students, the organization provides mentoring and internship programs for students and coordinates career awareness programs throughout the state. To learn more about the students programs and scholarships provided through the NJSCPA, visit http://www.njscpa.org/students.

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The NJSCPA represents over 14,000 CPAs in business, industry, public practice, government and education. Through vision, value and leadership, CPAs help New Jersey businesses to prosper and contribute to the economic well-being of New Jersey residents.