For the second consecutive year, three accounting majors from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics have earned national recognition from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Each received a $15,000 merit-based scholarship as part of the 2025-26 class of PCAOB Scholars – the largest in the program’s history.
Seniors Redwanul Bari, Dean Horner and Matthew Musacchio were among 685 students nationwide selected for this prestigious award, which recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to the accounting profession. Their success highlights both the strength of UD’s accounting program and the Lerner College’s dedication to preparing students for careers of impact in auditing and finance.
Turning Challenge Into Motivation: Redwanul Bari
A standout in accounting, Bari has paired his 4.0 GPA with hands-on experience as an IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteer, academic tutor and administrative assistant. He said that earning the PCAOB Scholarship is “nothing short of a fantasy dream come true.”
Beyond the national recognition, it fuels his drive to pursue a career in auditing. As a first-generation college student, Bari said the award brings peace of mind. “It means I don’t have to worry about how to pay for my higher education,” he stated.
Discouragement from others, he added, only strengthened his resolve. “Many people told me not to major in accounting – ironically, that became my motivation,” he said. Courses like business law and income tax “showed me that accounting is not just a professional skill but a practical life skill.”
Bari prepared tax returns for more than 50 low-income families through UD’s VITA program, which is a partnership between UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and local nonprofit Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation, aiming to improve the financial well-being of people with low to moderate incomes through various services. After graduation, he plans to take the CPA exam, join a Big Four firm and eventually work internationally.
From Family Business to Future CPA: Dean Horner
Horner’s path to accounting began at home. “My father founded a small family flooring business, so I was exposed to business functions and processes at a young age,” he said.
Initially a finance major, Horner switched to accounting following his first course. “It was the perfect way to understand business operations at a macro level,” Horner said.
Through UD’s VITA program, he gained hands-on experience preparing tax returns – skills that carried into his internships. “There was always some callback to what I learned in the classroom,” he said. Horner credits accounting professors Roger Coffin and Jing He for mentoring him toward his “dream career path.”
Winning the PCAOB Scholarship, he added, “means the world to me both personally and professionally.” After graduation, he will begin his career in KPMG’s mergers and acquisitions tax group.
Driven by Dedication: Matthew Musacchio
For Musacchio, receiving the PCAOB Scholarship represents both recognition and relief. “Receiving the PCAOB award has alleviated a lot of financial strain and allows me to enjoy more time with my family,” he said.
Musacchio’s interest in accounting runs in the family. “I come from a family of accountants, and after taking accounting classes at UD, I decided to follow that career path,” he explained.
His strong work ethic and focus have guided him throughout his studies. “Being really committed to my work and focused on my goals has helped me get to this point,” he added.
After graduation, Musacchio plans to pursue a career in auditing, crediting his peers for motivating him along the way. “My friends have been especially influential because they pushed me to do better,” he said.
Faculty Perspective: Excellence in Action
Caroline Levine, chair of the Department of Accounting and Management Information Systems, said the success of Bari, Horner and Musacchio speaks volumes about Lerner’s program and its students.
“The PCAOB scholarships provide more than just financial support,” Levine said. “They are an endorsement of the excellence of our students and the rigor and relevance of our accounting program.”
Levine noted that Lerner’s curriculum evolves continuously with input from industry leaders. “Our courses equip students with up-to-date knowledge and critical thinking skills, making them ready to succeed on day one,” she said.
Levine said that three Lerner accounting majors earning PCAOB scholarships for the second straight year reflects the program’s national reputation and consistent excellence.
Looking Ahead
As Bari, Horner and Musacchio continue their academic journeys, each plans to use this recognition as a foundation for their professional futures. Whether pursuing CPA certification, graduate studies, or roles in auditing and tax law, they share a commitment to integrity, excellence, and lifelong learning.
Their achievements exemplify the strength of the Lerner accounting community – one that continues to produce nationally recognized scholars and future leaders in the profession.
About the PCAOB Scholars Program
Established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the PCAOB Scholars Program supports students who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong interest in auditing and accounting careers. Each year, accredited colleges and universities nominate outstanding candidates to receive $15,000 merit-based scholarships funded by monetary penalties collected through PCAOB enforcement actions.
This year’s 685 recipients make up the largest class in the program’s history, underscoring the growing demand for skilled accounting professionals nationwide. For Lerner College, these recognitions reinforce its commitment to experiential learning, mentorship, and career preparation. Through initiatives like VITA, internships, and hands-on coursework, Lerner students gain real-world experience that translates directly to professional success.
Learn more:
To read more about the PCAOB Scholars Program, visit https://pcaobus.org/about/scholars-program