Accounting student chosen for prestigious GASB Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas School of Business student Carson Morrow has been selected for the Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the independent organization that establishes accounting and financial reporting standards for U.S. state and local governments.

The GASB holds the program twice a year, selecting only four students nationwide for each of its summer and winter cohorts. Morrow will begin his yearlong assistantship in July. 

To be considered for the program, students must be nominated by an accounting faculty member and have an outstanding academic record. Candidates also must demonstrate excellent communication skills and have completed coursework that provides a comprehensive understanding of accounting theory and practice.

Last year Luke Kennedy, a 2022 graduate, was the first KU student to be selected as a postgraduate technical assistant for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Morrow’s selection marks the first among KU students for the GASB’s program.

“Carson is an amazing person and the first student in our program to be selected for such a prestigious opportunity,” said Alee Phillips, director of KU’s Master of Accounting program. “His experience at the highest level of governmental accounting standard-setting in the United States will unlock new possibilities for him and for future KU accounting students.”

As a postgraduate technical assistant, Morrow will be highly involved with GASB’s accounting standards-setting process and will learn about the roles of preparers, auditors and users of financial information. Postgraduate technical assistants are assigned major agenda projects or short-term practice and implementation issues, depending on needs, and attend relevant board and task force meetings.

Morrow is from Dodge City and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the School of Business in 2022. He will graduate with his Master of Accounting this month.

“The School of Business and accounting program both hold a very special place in my heart,” Morrow said. “Without the knowledge, support and guidance of our incredible faculty or the camaraderie and friendship of my classmates, participating in this program would not be possible.”