KPMG has announced Vanessa Carroca as recipient of its 2010 scholarship.

Ms Carroca, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy and Bermuda College, will be entering her second year at the London Metropolitan University in the UK in September, where she is studying for her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance.

The KPMG Scholarship is awarded annually to a student interested in pursuing a career as either a Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

The award, valued at $15,000 per annum for three years, also offers the recipient the opportunity to enter the firm's graduate programme upon the successful completion of their undergraduate degree. On graduation, Ms Carroca will receive on the job training, mentoring and financial assistance for her professional examinations, as she embarks on the company's elected accountancy designation.

She will also be offered employment with the firm during her holidays, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of KPMG's student co-op programme.

Craig Bridgewater, the Partner responsible for the graduate programme and the chair of the scholarship committee, said: "We were very impressed with Vanessa's scholarship application. We are not only interested in grades but also look at the student's overall profile.

"Vanessa demonstrated an outstanding blend of strong academics, personality, leadership skills and a firm commitment to our community, making her an ideal recipient for this prestigious award."

He added: "We received an unprecedented number of applications this year and we were very impressed by the overall calibre of the applicants therefore making it difficult for us to make a final decision. I believe that the future of Bermuda's accounting profession is going to be very bright."

Ms Carroca said: "I am extremely honoured to have been awarded the KPMG Scholarship and I look forward to beginning my career with a firm that has clearly demonstrated its commitment to me and to the other Bermudians already enrolled in the firm's graduate programme."