USF Accounting Students Earn Global Honor from International Honors Organization
TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2009) – The University of South Florida’s oft-honored chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for financial information students and professionals, added another honor to its catalog last week when it was named one of the inaugural KPMG Gold chapters by the international organization. USF’s chapter, which has been named a “superior” chapter by the global society for 34 consecutive years, was the only Florida university recognized.
In an effort to reward student chapters that consistently do more than is required to be named a superior chapter, the KMPG-sponsored “Gold Chapter Challenge” was open to universities that had been named superior chapters for at least two years, had active participation in regional and national activities within the organization, and submitted a 10-minute video detailing student-led programming and activities.
USF School of Accountancy Director Stephanie Bryant, who is the immediate past president of the worldwide organization, was thrilled to share this news with her colleagues at the USF College of Business. “I think it is phenomenal!” she said, noting that the competition was created to honor chapters that consistently exceed superior standards and pointing out that USF’s student chapter holds the record for longest consecutive superior ranking.
“While USF is known for academic excellence in accounting education, this honor recognizes excellence in programming beyond the classroom,” Bryant said. “Beta Alpha Psi helps us transform students into professionals by providing them opportunities to network with industry leaders, serve the community, and foster lifelong professional ties.”
Robert Forsythe, dean of the USF College of Business added his praise: “We are very proud of both the students and their faculty advisor, Gary Laursen,” he said. “This accomplishment is a strong reflection on our business school and the USF School of Accountancy’s reputation as an outstanding leader in accounting education.”
The chapter received $2,500 as part of the honor.
Inaugural KPMG Gold Chapters (alphabetical order):
Bradley University
Louisiana State University
Marquette University
Pace University
San Diego State University
SUNY at Buffalo
University of Arkansas
University of Denver
University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Oregon
University of South Florida
University of Washington
Western Illinois University
USF’s College of Business and School of Accountancy are dually accredited by AACSB International. In addition to providing one of the nation’s top accounting programs, the College of Business offers six master’s degree programs, including a part-time and weekend Executive MBA program.
The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged four-year public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded more than $360 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2007/2008. The University offers 224 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The University has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 46,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
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