The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently awarded a senior student a $10,000 scholarship to continue her pursuit of an accounting degree at Kelley Indianapolis.

Ekaterina “Kate” Pronina, a senior majoring in accounting and finance, learned of the honor earlier this summer. The PCAOB awards scholarships on the recommendations of universities, and the Kelley Academic Office and accounting faculty nominated Pronina.

“This shows me that my hard work has been worthwhile, and it inspires me to keep working hard as I have been to keep pursuing my goals,” said Pronina, who plans to graduate in May 2013 and one day work as an auditor in a public accounting firm.

“When I heard I was being nominated, I was very excited, grateful and honored to have been chosen,” she said. “It shows that Kelley’s staff and faculty support me and want me to succeed as much as I want to.”

Pronina had high praise for the accounting faculty at Kelley, and they reciprocated that admiration.

“Anyone who has taught Kate would agree that she is one of the most well-prepared and interesting accounting students she or he has ever taught. That was certainly my experience,” said John Hassell, professor of accounting and OneAmerica chair.

Pronina, originally from Russia, enrolled at Kelley Indianapolis in the fall 2009 as a direct admit student. Since then, she has immersed herself in the accounting and finance programs as well as a wide array of student and campus organizations.

“The (accounting) courses are challenging and effective, and the professors are very knowledgeable, not only because they are well educated but also because they have extensive real-life experience in the field,” Pronina said.

“Future students will not be disappointed with the level of Kelley’s accounting education,” she added.

During her time in business school, Pronina has volunteered with Kelley Indianapolis Cares (a student philanthropic organization), Student Government, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Special Olympics and other worthwhile causes.

She works part-time and has earned admission to the Dean’s Honors List, the Kelley Honors Program and the IUPUI Honors College and a host of other Kelley scholarships.

“I’ve known Kate since her first year here, and she has accelerated through our program with academic excellence,” said Maureen Kinney, director of the Undergraduate Program.

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and promote informative, accurate and independent audit reports.

Kelley Indianapolis was among the 52 scholarship recipient schools honored for 2011-2012.