Sikich Announces 2024 James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship Recipients

Sikich, a global technology-enabled professional services company, announced today its 2024 James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship recipients: Odalys Ochoa and Jonas Capek.

In 2019, Sikich established the James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship in partnership with the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) to honor the firm’s founder, Jim Sikich. As the cost of higher education rises, Sikich is devoted to providing financial assistance to promising accounting students of all backgrounds and to fostering the education and dreams of those who have demonstrated leadership and devotion to their field.

"We take great pride in nurturing the next generation of accounting leaders," said Sikich CEO Chris Geier. "Odalys and Jonas have shown dedication, leadership and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Their accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular, are truly inspiring and we are honored to support their journeys as future trailblazers in the accounting profession."

The 2024-2025 academic year scholarship recipients are individuals with a proven determination to pursue a career in accounting and demonstrated leadership qualities:

• Odalys Ochoa will graduate with a bachelor's degree in accounting and psychology from Lewis University during the 2024-25 school year. She is drawn to the auditing field and looks forward to the hands-on nature of the work, involving site visits and creating positive relationships with clients. Odalys has balanced working part-time, fully funding her education and serving as vice president of her university’s Accounting Club.
• Jonas Capek will complete his bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in data analytics from Illinois Wesleyan University. Jonas was inspired by his accounting professor in one of his first college classes and has gained experience through multiple accounting internships. He has maintained an impressive GPA while also playing on his school’s varsity football team, co-founding a landscaping business and participating in the Illinois State ROTC.

In addition to the James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship, Sikich supports the advancement of the next generation of leaders in professional services through the company’s established internship program, Sikich Scholars, as well as supporting the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program, which helps students and CPA candidates transition into the profession by enhancing their business skills and providing financial aid toward their CPA exam preparation and testing.

About Sikich

Sikich is a global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With more than 1,900 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals.

Sikich currently practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients. Sikich LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich CPA LLC under which Sikich LLC provides Sikich CPA LLC with professional and support personnel and other services to support Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services, and Sikich CPA LLC shares certain client information with Sikich LLC with respect to the provision of such services.

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