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Muma College of Business Accounting Organization Named in Top 15 in World

Beta Alpha Psi recognized as a KPMG gold chapter for second year in a row

TAMPA – The University of South Florida's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for financial information students and professionals, was recognized as one of the top 15 chapters in the world at last weekend's annual Beta Alpha Psi meeting in San Jose, California. This is the second year in a row USF's chapter has been awarded the KPMG Gold Chapter award.

"To have our students win this highly lucrative competition two years in a row is phenomenal," said Stephanie Bryant, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy director and former president of Beta Alpha Psi's worldwide organization. "While the College of Business is known for its academic excellence in the classroom, this honor shows the superior programming we provide our students outside of the classroom."

According to Beta Alpha Psi International, "The Gold Chapter status is the highest award level a chapter can receive. The award is given to chapters which continually demonstrate and exemplify the highest values of Beta Alpha Psi: leadership, scholastic success, lifelong learning and development, service, and ethical behavior." Chapters must have been awarded superior status for the current year as well as the previous year to be eligible. USF's chapter maintains the longest running record of superior chapter status in the world at 34 years.

"We are extremely proud of our students and faculty advisors Jennifer Cainas and Gary Laursen," said Bob Forsythe, dean of the Muma College of Business. "To go above and beyond superior chapter status is a reflection of the kind of quality faculty and hard-working students we have here in the business school."

USF's chapter also participated in the Project Run with It competition at the annual Beta Alpha Psi meeting. During the competition, students provided a local non-profit company with expertise on solving an accounting, information systems, or finance problem. USF students brought home an additional $1,000 as part of the first place award winning team for that contest.