UB’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter takes top honors at international conference
From left: Zeta Theta members Ryan Dunn, Alexis Weber, Nicholas Ortiz and Brittany Popovski at Highlandtown Elementary School in Baltimore, where they helped students with reading and writing activities as part of the International Day of Literacy.
Release Date: August 23, 2016 This content is archived.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo School of Management’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was once again lauded as one of the best in the world, accepting several awards at the organization’s annual meeting, held Aug. 4-6 in Baltimore.
Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an international honor organization for financial information students and professionals, with more than 300 chapters worldwide and more than 300,000 members initiated since the organization’s founding in 1919.
For the eighth consecutive year, the UB School of Management’s Zeta Theta chapter received the day’s top honor, the KPMG Gold Challenge award. The accolade recognizes innovative chapters that develop engaging programming for members and continually exemplify the highest values of BAP: leadership, scholastic success, lifelong learning and development, service and ethical behavior.
The chapter collected two awards for its successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, an annual initiative in which IRS-certified accounting students provide free tax preparation services to qualifying individuals and families. Zeta Theta received awards for preparing the most returns (910), and offering the Virtual VITA program for those unable to travel to UB’s campuses. This past spring, UB students brought nearly $1.1 million back into the Buffalo community by providing free tax services.
The chapter also took first place and a prize of $1,000 in the Project Run With It case competition, which furthers the community service component of Beta Alpha Psi and provides members and candidates with an opportunity to engage in a real-world consulting project. Emily Wheeler, current Zeta Theta president, served as chapter representative on the project.
In addition, the chapter took third place for the Inclusive Leadership award in recognition of three chapter initiatives: an alumni mentorship program, a presentation on professional careers abroad, and the fourth annual Discover Your Differences: David Kim Diversity Workshop, held last year.
Finally, the chapter received the Grant Thornton Ethics award, which seeks to encourage the members of Beta Alpha Psi and their communities to develop a solid ethical foundation and to empower them to act on these principles no matter the situation faced.
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.
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