The AICPA Foundation has announced the launch of the Barry C. Melancon Professional Accounting Research (PAR) Fellowship. The program’s goal is to support the next generation of accounting and finance professionals with the skills, knowledge and training necessary for their careers.
“I have been fortunate to spend my career as an advocate for our great profession. The passion that I have had for the profession and the spirit of everything that I did was for the betterment of the profession and the people within,” noted Barry Melancon, President and CEO of the AICPA and CEO of the Association. “It is a personal joy to be able see the creation of a Fellowship in my name to encourage others to contribute to the profession’s benefit, advancement, and future.”
A release said that the Fellowship had been established as a legacy of Barry Melancon's 30-year AICPA and CIMA leadership tenure and his dedication, advocacy and forward-looking commitment to the profession.
The Fellowship will initially support doctoral students doing practical research to advance the science of public or management accounting practice.
During the fellowship year, Melancon PAR Fellows will perform the research identified in their applications and offer periodic updates to the Foundation Board of Trustees regarding their findings and their research’s expected or actual practical impact on the profession. These fellows will also be allowed to meet with individual Trustees and Association staff to discuss their ongoing research project.
“Barry devoted his 30-year career to advancing the trust and influence of the public and management accounting profession,” stated Tracey Golden, Chair of the AICPA Foundation Board of Trustees. “Dedicating this fellowship in Barry’s honor will sustain his ongoing commitment to the future of our great profession.”
Applications for the Fellowship will be open year-round, with decisions announced annually for two research fellowships from May 31 to Jun. 15. Applications must be submitted via ThisWaytoCPA.com by March 15 for that academic year’s fellowship, with awards paid at the beginning of the Fall semester/quarter.
This award will be granted to two students every year, with one research project to support public accountancy practice and another to support management accounting. Grant amounts will be based on the cost of the applicant’s research project and financial needs.
The inaugural Barry C. Melancon Professional Accounting Research Fellowship will be awarded in 2025.
Melancon is retiring at the end of 2024 as CEO of AICPA & CIMA. Mark Koziel will succeed him following a handover period and will begin in the role in January. Koziel is president and CEO of Allinial Global, an association of independent accounting and advisory firms with $6 billion in collective revenue and 268 member firms globally.
Melancon joined the AICPA as CEO in 1995 at age 37, making him the youngest CEO in the organization's history. He was the longest-serving CEO since the AICPA was formed in 1887. He became CEO of the AICPA in 2017 after successfully merging the largest accounting bodies, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, to serve the public and management accounting profession globally.