Accounting Challenge

Eastern Illinois University’s Accountancy Program in the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied
Sciences had a record turnout at its 4th Annual Accounting Challenge held on Thursday, April 2. The
Challenge acquainted over 250 students from 18 high schools with information on career opportunities in
Accounting, the history of the EIU Accountancy program, and a tour of the EIU campus. Kelsey Swing,
a manager at Gilbert, Metzger, and Madigan, CPAs, was the keynote speaker at the lunch session. The
highlight of the day was an academic competition of financial accounting skills.

In the individual category, first through fifth place students in the competition received a plaque
recognizing their accomplishment. In addition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place contestants receive a $1,500, $1,000,
and $500 scholarship to major in accounting at EIU, respectively. In the team category, over 70 teams of
3-4 students competed for the top group average score. Plaques were given to the teachers of the first
through fifth place teams based on team average exam scores. In additions, checks of $250 for 1st place,
$150 for 2nd place, and $100 each for 3rd through 5th place were given to the team schools in recognition
of excellence in classroom instruction.

Professor Richard Palmer, Director of the Accountancy Program at EIU described the 2009 event at EIU
as “the best of my four years of working with the Challenge.” Palmer noted that the students were “lively
and very much into making a fun day of it.” The goal, Palmer said, is to “provide an opportunity for
students get introduced to the collegiate environment and obtain recognition for their efforts to master the
discipline of accounting.” He noted that the number of high school competitors was up again over last
year’s record high and added that “We are grateful for the support of the high school teachers who not
only do a great job in the classroom, but also take time out of their schedules to help introduce their
students to the world of opportunities associated with their studies.” Palmer also expressed his
appreciation for the “assistance provided by EIU Accounting students and Beta Alpha Psi honor society
in making the day a success.”

Roann Kopel, EIU Professor and an Illinois CPA Society Accounting Educator of the Year, was
impressed with the performance of the students and felt the Challenge message was a good one for the
students. Kopel observed that, “even in a down market the ability to handle accounting problems is a
highly valued skill” and that she hopes the students will “continue to pursue their study of accounting at
EIU or another high quality accounting program.”

The EIU Accountancy Program is one of only 168 schools and departments of Accountancy in the world
that is separately accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International,
the premiere accrediting organization in business. For more information about the Eastern Illinois
University Accountancy Program, contact Professor Hank Davis, Director, at hhdavis@eiu.edu or
by phone at (217)-581-6938.

For results of the 2009 Challenge, click here.

For more information please contact...

Hank Davis, Ph.D.
Director, Accountancy Program
Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences
3616 Lumpkin Hall
600 Lincoln Avenue
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL  61920
Office Phone: (217)-581-6938
E-mail:  hhdavis@eiu.edu