In recognition of the outstanding leadership and service rendered by Diane Tinney, past Executive Director of The Association for Computers and Taxation (ACT) who retired from ACT in June of 2002, it's Board of Directors takes pride in establishing the Tax Technology Award.  One award may given annually to interns or junior candidates of ACT Members and is established as a continuing reminder of Diane Tinney's dedication to applying technology advances to corporate tax departments.   This award is to support students in applying technology advances to corporate tax departments.

Eligibility Requirements:

Intern Candidate

• Candidate must be at least 19 years old.
• Candidate must be currently enrolled at a degree-granting College or University.
• Candidate must have maintained a cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Undergraduate and Graduate students are both eligible.
• Candidate must have participated in an internship or co-op in a corporate environment. Candidate must have participated in either accounting or tax work during their internship or co-op.
• A candidate, once chosen as the grant recipient, may not subsequently be nominated. A candidate who is not selected may be re-nominated.
• Candidate must be nominated by a Regular or Associate ACT Member.

Junior Candidate

• Candidate must have attended a degree-granting College or University within the past three (3) years on a full time basis (minimum 12 credit hours).
• Candidate must have maintained a cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Candidate must be a Regular ACT Member. Candidate must be working within the company tax department.
• A candidate, once chosen as the award recipient, may not subsequently be nominated. A candidate who is not selected may be re-nominated.
• Candidate must be nominated by a Senior Regular ACT Member.

Grant Award Consists of:

• Conference fee - Winner will be able to attend the next Annual conference of the year following the Award.
• Travel Costs which include (arrangements will be made by the ACT Administrative Coordinator):
  • Transportation
  • Dinner allowance of $100.00
  • Mileage allowance (based on the current Federal rate) for travel to and from the airport. In lieu of the mileage allowance, taxi fare will be accepted.
  • Minor tips
    

Grant Selection Process:

A three (3) member committee will be selected by the ACT Board to review all applications and select the award recipient.

Schedule of Events

• Award Applications will be accepted from August 15 through December 15.
• The Administrative Coordinator for ACT will perform the following between August 15 and December 15:

1. Ensure that all the candidates meet the eligibility requirements.
   1. Verify application package is complete.
   2. Secure a letter of recommendation from ACT member.
   3. Confirm that applicant has a cumulative 2.5 grade point average.
   4. Secure a letter from a degree-granting college/university verifying enrollment.
2. Once eligibility requirements are met, an application number will be supplied to both top and bottom portions of the application package.
3. The top portion of the application, which details the candidate's personal information will be removed and filed at the ACT office.
4. The bottom portion of the application form contains detail of the applicant's activities, answers to questions and career goals. One copy of the bottom portion will be mailed by January 1 to each member of the Grant Committee for his or her review.
5. The Grant Committee will meet to discuss applicants and submit their decision to the ACT Board by January 31.
6. An announcement of the grant recipient will be made on or around February 15.