From Campus to Career: How BNA’s Scholar Program Launches Future CPAs

At BNA CPAs & Advisors, our partnership with Winthrop University’s College of Business and Technology opens the door for students to gain real-world accounting experience while advancing their career goals.

Each semester, we welcome bright, driven students to work alongside our team, build their skills, and take meaningful steps toward becoming future CPAs.

About the BNA Internship & Scholar Program

The BNA career path begins at Winthrop University’s College of Business and Technology, where we introduce students to the firm and invite them to apply for the BNA Members Program. Members receive a $500 scholarship, job shadowing opportunities, dedicated mentorship, and exclusive access to apply for our paid internship.

Chosen Internship participants complete a 10–12 week paid program, after which select students are invited to become BNA Scholars. Scholars receive a $10,000 annual scholarship, a paid internship for the remainder of college, CPA exam prep and fees covered, a $2,500 CPA completion bonus, and a guaranteed full-time position after graduation.

Throughout their time at BNA, interns and scholars gain hands-on experience alongside CPAs—learning tax and accounting processes, mastering industry tools, and building the skills to launch a successful career.

Meet Elijah Reis: Current BNA Scholar

Elijah first heard about the BNA Scholars Program during a Winthrop class presentation from Jason Ackerman, CFP®, CGMA, CPA, and Co-Managing Partner at BNA. Jason’s message about BNA’s people-first philosophy stuck with him:

Jason told us he looks for people first—someone personable, adaptable, and willing to learn—because you can teach accounting, but you can’t teach personability.

That people-first culture became the reason Elijah applied—and why he’s stayed. He describes BNA as a non-judgmental learning environment where team members feel accepted, encouraged to ask questions, and trusted to take ownership of their work.

BNA truly feels like a family, and they believe that giving their team autonomy strengthens their work.

He also values the collaborative spirit at BNA:

BNA’s team is excellent, very fun but focused and always willing to lend a hand. No matter what question or issue I have, there is always someone willing to help.

It’s this combination of trust and support that Elijah says makes BNA “easy to get up for in the morning.”

From Intern to Scholar

Elijah began with basic tax tasks and client onboarding. Today, he works directly with CPAs, manages client reconciliations, prepares sales tax returns, and contributes to specialized cases.

Most internships are just stepping stones to another internship. The BNA Scholar Program is a direct pathway to a career. He credits the experience with helping him see the “big picture” of how each department works together—making his role more impactful.

Support That Makes a Difference

The program’s scholarship, CPA exam coverage, and study materials have been game-changing for Elijah. He shared that the financial support has allowed him to focus fully on his education and professional growth:

Relieving some of my financial burdens has enabled me to focus during school and work and allowed me to fully engage and perform at my best.

Mentorship That Matters

Elijah describes BNA as a place where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are learning opportunities, and help is always available.  Mentors provide hands-on guidance, teaching problem-solving, collaboration, and workload management.

No one expects you to know everything or immediately become savvy, the only thing that is required is an openness to learn and ability to listen.

Prepared for the Future

Interns at BNA see firsthand what a day in the office looks like, preparing them for their careers from day one. Elijah believes the skills he’s learned go far beyond basic accounting.

…I feel prepared for my future in the world of accounting and accepting of any challenges that may come.

The Bigger Picture

Investing in our community and supporting the next generation of talent benefits everyone. It helps our community grow, strengthens the accounting profession, and keeps our firm innovative. Scholars like Elijah make this possible.

This fall, we’re excited to welcome three new interns to the BNA team and begin this process again. We look forward to seeing their growth and the unique strengths they bring to our firm.

Want to Learn More? 

If you’d like to learn more about our partnership with Winthrop University, visit our BNA Scholars Page or complete our contact form—we’ll be in touch promptly.