In a bold step towards creating gender diversity in the accounting and finance industries, Simandhar Education has launched a special Women’s Day Scholarship Program. The program is designed to offer financial support to women who are pursuing globally accepted certifications like Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Enrolled Agent (EA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

This scholarship scheme, lasting from March 6 to March 31, 2025, is available for women from all over India. Suitable candidates can enjoy a ₹30,000 waiver on the CPA (2-year plan) and a ₹15,000 rebate on CMA, EA, and CIA courses. But for that, they have to give an online scholarship test and get at least 70% marks. The exam is specifically formulated to test accounting knowledge, finance literacy, problem-solving ability, and logical aptitude.

Simandhar Education, a leading provider of professional certification training solutions, has introduced this initiative as a reaction to the gender imbalances that persist in the finance sector. Though they comprise a significant share of the workforce, women are still underrepresented at positions of authority in accounting and finance. Limited availability of financial resources and career-enhancing certifications has long been a hindrance, keeping many from ascending to senior levels. With this scholarship program, Simandhar Education seeks to remove some of these barriers and enable women to gain the necessary credentials to succeed in their careers.

Poonam Jain, Co-Founder of Simandhar Education, stressed how important this cause was, and that, “As someone having worked in the financial industry, I realize that there are some difficulties faced by women in going up the corporate ladder. Learning and certifications have an important part to play to cross these bridges. This scholarship scheme is an effort to help equip women to make it at leadership positions and lead effectively.

Reiterating this view, Shruti, another Co-Founder of Simandhar Education, underscored the urgency of such a program, stating, “Women comprise a large majority of the financial and accounting workforce but are underrepresented in leadership positions. The cost of financial barriers too often gets in the way of continuing education in advanced certifications, hampering career advancement. With this scholarship program, we want to fill that gap by making high-value professional credentials more accessible.”. Through empowering women to get these certifications, our aim is to encourage more of them to take up promotions and leadership roles. 

This is the first time Simandhar Education has launched a focused scholarship program for women. The company has been a leading player in developing finance and accounting professionals, but this indicates a more focused effort towards reducing gender disparities in the field. By providing financial assistance for certifications that are internationally accepted, the scholarship program should be able to inspire more women to upgrade their qualifications and open up career prospects that might otherwise have been beyond their reach.

Experts in the industry have long emphasized the necessity of increased female presence in leadership positions in finance. Research shows that whereas entry-level accounting and finance positions have a fairly even mix of men and women, women decrease dramatically at higher levels. The lack of mentorship, networking, and finances have been cited as some of the reasons for this trend. Simandhar Education’s scholarship program specifically attacks one of these significant barriers by lowering the cost of achieving professional certifications.

Female candidates who join the program will not only be provided with financial assistance but also get access to Simandhar Education’s vast training resources, mentorship, and guidance. The organization has a reputation for high-quality educational assistance, providing industry-relevant study materials, classes taught by experts, and a robust network of professionals who can assist candidates through the certification process.

By basing the scholarship eligibility on a test, Simandhar Education ensures that money is given on merit. The requirement of 70% as a minimum score is meant to make the candidates show a basic understanding of concepts in accounting and finance. This is not only a way of upholding the integrity of the program but also of ensuring that the recipients are equipped to perform well in the certifications they opt for.

Through this campaign, Simandhar Education seeks to initiate a ripple effect across the finance sector, with additional women building up the confidence and means necessary to pursue senior careers. By extending high-value credentials to everyone, the organization is proactively contributing to the eradication of the gender imbalance among finance leaders.

The Women’s Day Scholarship Program is likely to draw a significant number of future finance professionals who are keen to upskill and gain improved career prospects. With the changing landscape of finance and accounting, certifications such as CPA, CMA, CIA, and EA remain highly valuable, providing professionals with a competitive advantage in the job market. Simandhar Education’s scholarship program makes it possible for more women to gain these credentials, which sets them up for career success in a business community that is increasingly valuing diversity and inclusion.

Simandhar Education has extended an invitation to eligible applicants to sign up for the scholarship test and take advantage of this opportunity to advance their careers. As the initiative becomes popular, there is likely to be similar interest in initiating projects that are targeted at achieving gender equality in finance education and industry participation. In awarding this scholarship, Simandhar Education is not only investing in women’s future in finance but is also making an input into ensuring a more diversified and inclusive financial industry.