Beta Alpha Psi honored among world’s best for 6th straight year

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo School of Management’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was once again recognized as one of the best in the world, accepting several special awards at the organization’s annual meeting held Aug. 7-9 in Atlanta.

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an international honor organization for financial information students and professionals, with more than 300,000 members initiated since its founding in 1919.

For the sixth consecutive year, the UB School of Management’s Zeta Theta chapter received the KPMG Gold Chapter award, given this year to only 15 chapters out of more than 300 worldwide. The honor recognizes innovative chapters that develop engaging, inventive programming for members and continually exemplify the highest values of BAP: leadership, scholastic success, lifelong learning and development, service and ethical behavior. 

“The chapter is thrilled and honored to be one of only two chapters worldwide that have received the award every year it has been given out,” says Kathleen Nesper, assistant professor of accounting and law and chapter advisor. “Our success is truly a testament to the hard work of our officers and members.”

Zeta Theta also took top honors again this year for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, for which IRS-certified accounting students from the School of Management provide free tax preparation services each spring to individuals and families with incomes below $51,000. This year, more than 200 students prepared more than 1,000 returns to bring $1.28 million back into the community.

For its VITA program, the chapter nabbed the Superior Award for outstanding performance in all three categories: volunteer hours, return preparation and innovation. In particular, the chapter was lauded for being among the first nationwide to implement Virtual VITA, a service that offers free tax preparation for community members who are unable to travel to UB’s campuses.

In addition, Zeta Theta took third place for the Ernst & Young Inclusive Leadership Award, which recognizes chapters that enhance diversity and provide opportunities for members to think, learn and act inclusively.

The chapter was recognized for the “Discover Your Differences: David Kim Diversity Workshop,” named for an MBA candidate that passed away in 2013. During the event, more than 100 students and local professionals tried several types of ethnic foods, watched a Bollywood-style dance performance and completed the “Puzzle of Inclusion,” an activity that taught the importance of collaboration. 

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's nearly 30,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.