National Association of Black Accountants

From Wikicpa

Since 1969, the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. has been the leader in expanding the influence of minority professionals in the fields of accounting and finance. The goals of the Association include, but are not limited to, the following:

• To promote and develop the professional skills of our members;
• To encourage and assist minority students in entering the accounting profession;
• To provide opportunities for members to fulfill their civic responsibility;
• To ensure long-term financial stability and provide adequate resources to implement chapter, regional, and national programs; and
• To represent the interests of current and prospective minority accounting professionals.

Contact Data

National Association of Black Accountants, Inc.

7249-A Hanover Parkway

Greenbelt, Maryland 20770

Telephone 301-474-NABA; Fax 301-474-3114

Website: http://www.nabainc.org/

Scholarship Program

Since inception, the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) has provided over $6.05 million in scholarship funds to deserving students preparing to enter various business professions. For fiscal year 2005 alone, NABA awarded more than $530,000 and the amount continues to grow annually. Through the generous contributions of individuals, groups, and organizations that share NABA's desire to break through the economic barriers minorities often experience, NABA has offered over 40 national scholarships annually ranging from $1000 - $6,000. In addition to providing an excellent opportunity to obtain funding for college, NABA invites the scholarship recipients to the Scholars' Retreat.

The Scholars' Retreat has become an integral part of our scholarship program and Annual National Convention. Designed for NABA's National Scholarship Program and Distinguished Collegian award recipients, the retreat has hosted more than 265 high-achieving NABA student members over the past seven years. The half-day retreat includes an opening luncheon, followed by an intense, interactive training session in which students are challenged with real-world scenarios in an attempt to prepare tomorrow's business leaders for their introduction into Corporate America. Participants in the Scholar's Retreat are provided travel, accomodations, and a small stipend to attend the Convention.

History

NABA History

In December 1969, nine African-Americans met in New York City to discuss the unique challenges and limited opportunities they faced in the accounting profession. In that year, there were only 136 African-American Certified Public Accountants (CPA's) out of a total of 100,000 in the United States.

This group wanted to establish an organization to address the concerns of minorities entering the accounting profession and to make a commitment to professional and academic excellence. The following nine individuals who met that month were determined to "make a difference" and let their voices be heard.

Ronald Benjamin; Earl Biggot; Bertram Gibson; Frank Ross; Richard McNamee; Michael Winston; Kenneth Drummond; George Wallace and Donald Bristow

In 1970 NABA chartered its first professional chapter, located in New York City. From these humble beginnings, NABA has become a nationwide membership organization.

The goals of the Association include, but are not limited to, the following:

• To represent the interests of current and prospective minority accounting professionals;
• To encourage and assist minority students in entering the accounting profession;
• To promote and develop the professional skills of our members;
• To provide opportunities for members to fulfill their civic responsibility; and
• To ensure long-term financial stability and provide adequate resources to implement chapter, regional, and national programs.

The national and local programs offered are designed to support the overall goals and objectives of the Association. These programs provide support to, and create opportunities for, professionals and students seeking levels of accomplishment in the fields of accounting and finance.

Today, through the efforts of NABA and other interested groups, there are now over 200,000 African-Americans participating in the field of accounting, of which over 5,000 are CPAs. As a leader in the business community, NABA continues to create opportunities for the purpose of enlarging the pipeline of African-Americans into every level of accounting and finance