N.C. A&T Accounting Graduate Robinson Receives PCAOB Scholarship

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2021) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University student Zorlynn Taylor-Robinson ‘21 has been awarded a $10,000 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year.

Taylor-Robinson, a tax intern at Ernst & Young, received her B.S. in accounting in May from the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, where she is pursuing her MACC.

A member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma and the Zeta Sigma Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi honor societies, Taylor-Robinson is active in the University Honors Program. She has volunteered more than 100 hours of tutoring to her fellow Deese College students, actively engaged in the National Association of Black Accountants for three years, and participated in the EY Inclusive Leadership Summit in 2018. She also led service projects at the Doris Henderson Newcomers School and for the 2020 election cycle.

“In all her personal endeavors, Zorlynn shows initiative and independence. When working with groups, she demonstrates maturity and an ability to motivate,” said Lisa Jackson-Owens, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance. “Zorlynn sets high standards for herself and her classmates.  She has true drive and I cannot wait to see how much success she will attain.”

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that monetary penalties imposed by the PCAOB in its disciplinary proceedings be used to fund a merit scholarship program for students in accredited accounting degree programs. The scholarship can be used to pay tuition and fees necessary for enrollment or attendance at the institution, as well as required fees, books, supplies and equipment for courses. It is awarded through the PCAOB Scholars Program, which seeks to benefit students who are likely to become auditors and to make a difference to students who might otherwise choose a different career path.

Participating educational institutions select PCAOB Scholar nominees from students enrolled in their accounting degree programs. Eligible students must demonstrate an interest and aptitude in accounting and auditing, as evidenced by an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher or being in the top one-third of their overall class, among other criteria.