MassCPAs launches scholarship to honor retiring CEO

The Massachusetts Society of CPAs launched the Amy A. Pitter Presidential Scholarship, to honor the legacy of its president and CEO, who will retire on December 31. 

"From the start of her time at MassCPAs, Amy instinctively understood that the Society could be a vehicle to remove barriers to entry and inspire the next generation of CPAs," said deputy CEO Zach Donah in a statement. "She worked internally to connect that work to the Society's strategic plan, and because of her vision and leadership, the Society has distributed more than $1 million to support nearly 400 accounting students in Massachusetts. The Amy A. Pitter Presidential Scholarship recognizes Amy's unwavering commitment to and passion for the accounting community, which we will continue to feel in the years to come."

Each year, scholarship recipients will receive $5,000 after going through an evaluation process led by the board of directors of the MassCPAs' Educational Foundation, which seeks to grow the accounting talent pool by providing resources, financial support and various educational programs for high school and college students. 

Courtesy of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs

To be eligible, candidates must be high-achieving Massachusetts students who have completed at least the first semester of their sophomore year toward an accounting degree, demonstrate financial need, complete four hours of accounting-related community service, and seek to become a CPA in the state. "On behalf of MassCPAs, we applaud Amy for her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of accounting students who are taking their first steps as future leaders of the profession," said Donah in a press release. 

As the former commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Pitter joined MassCPAs in 2015 and dedicated her efforts to championing many of the association's strategic priorities, which include initiatives related to the pipeline, state matters and DEI initiatives. On May 1, the MassCPAs announced Pitter's retirement and that Donah would succeed her as president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

"I am proud of the work we've done to grow the CPA pipeline in Massachusetts, and I consider this to be one of the highlights of my career," Pitter said in a statement. "Contributions to our scholarship program have more than doubled in the last eight years, and they have a real, meaningful impact on the lives of their recipients. I am humbled and grateful to our generous donors for supporting these students on their journey to the profession."