NDSU accounting student Samuel Johnson was among 253 studentsacross the country to receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Johnson is the fourth NDSU accounting student in four years to the receive the scholarship. Past recipients include Ashley Cheuk (2020), Grace Culshaw (2019) and Ashley Honl (2018).

"Congratulations to our PCAOB Scholars who achieved this distinction during an unquestionably challenging period for students everywhere,” said the board’s acting chair Duane M. DesParte. “We are pleased to help support these dedicated individuals on their paths to becoming leaders in accounting and auditing.”

Johnson is a junior from Alamo, North Dakota.

“Sam is a very good student with a tremendous work ethic,” said James Clifton, assistant professor of accounting practice, who had Johnson in his Individual Income Tax course during spring semester. “He was always in class and frequently participated in classroom discussions. He was a pleasure to get to know, and I am certain he will represent NDSU well in the future.”

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 provides that funds generated from the collection of PCAOB monetary penalties must be used to fund a merit scholarship program for students in accredited accounting degree programs.

The program’s goals are to benefit outstanding students who are likely to become auditors and to make a difference to eligible students who might otherwise pursue a different career path.

Since the program’s inception in 2011, a total of $16.23 million in scholarships has been awarded to 1,623 recipients.

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