Accountancy students take first place at regional competition

Contact: Alyssa Benson
WMU's winning Beta Alpha Psi team: Kaitlyn Watkins, Roberto Ramon-Flores, Shao Qin Ga and Tim Belcher.

From left: Watkins, Ramon-Flores, Ga and Belcher

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— A team of four Western Michigan University accountancy students recently took first place at the Beta Alpha Psi Midwest Regional Meeting Best Practices competition.

Undergraduate accountancy students Tim Belcher, of Ann Arbor, and Roberto Ramon-Flores, of Hartford, and master of science in accountancy students Shao Qin Ga, of Sungai Besi, Malaysia, and Kaitlyn Watkins, of Frankenmuth were part of the winning team.

A part of the competition, Beta Alpha Psi and Deloitte LLP developed best practice activities that exemplify the spirit and purpose of Beta Alpha Psi. Participating chapters submitted an abstract prior to the chapter meeting and then presented at the regional meeting. This year's competition included the following topics: Hands-on Engagement, Launching Into the Next Century and Branding Your Chapter. The winning team presented about Launching Into the Next Century.

The other accountancy students competing were:

  • Nolan Bradford, of Livonia
  • Maddie Cordell, of LaGrange Park, Illinois
  • Mason Day, of Eagle
  • Sierra Gaunder, of Edwardsburg
  • Likun Sun, of Quingdao, China
  • Lori Terrell, of Benton Harbor
  • Jennifer Tosto, of Dearborn
  • Brendan Wexler, of Novi

"All of the student participants worked very hard to represent WMU and the Haworth College of Business," says Dr. Cari Burke, assistant professor of accountancy. "We are very proud of them and are excited about the ideas they shared during the competition."

The winning group of students will travel to Washington, D.C., in August to compete at the Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting.

WMU Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi chapters are found on more than 300 college and university campuses, and more than 300,000 members have been initiated since its formation in 1919.

The organization strives to recognize outstanding academic achievements in the fields of accounting, finance and information systems; promote the study and practice of professional fields related to these disciplines; provide opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing financial professionals; and encourage a sense of ethical, social and public responsibilities.

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