Almost 200 people, about half of them from area accounting firms and companies, enjoyed the festivities at the Second Annual School of Accounting Awards Banquet, held April 30, 2011 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. The event acknowledges the achievements of two student organizations at Florida International University (FIU): ALPFA at FIU and Beta Alpha Psi; honors the Alumnus of the Year—an individual who has achieved distinction in the accounting field and is a significant contributor to FIU’s College of Business Administration and the school; and recognizes an “Honorary Alumnus.”
Tony Argiz and Brett Friedman have new titles.
Tony Argiz (BBA ’74), chairman and CEO, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC, has received many honors, but being named “Alumnus of the Year” was particularly gratifying.
“To be recognized by one’s alma mater is particularly pleasing and strengthens the bonds with my fellow alumni in a special way that other awards do not offer,” he said.
Argiz credits his education with giving him “the tools to analyze business situations and to develop the depth and breadth of expertise to service my clients,” and finds it “rejuvenating to know that one’s support has such far-reaching results . . . results that are multiplied by the number of students who graduate.”
For Brett Friedman, director, McGladrey, the 2011 “Honorary Alumnus,” the award “was a surprise and a tremendous honor.”
Among his many contributions, Friedman has been a member of the School of Accounting Advisory Board and the Career Management Services Advisory Board, has been closely involved with ALPFA at FIU and has helped with many ALPFA/KPMG Case Study Competitions.
Noting that the school has always been “a great place for my employer to recruit and hire highly talented and motivated students who have turned into very successful professionals,” he believes that “a professional can help to develop the future leaders of this world by developing students.”
Students thank an array of indispensable supporters.
Members of the two student organizations were recognized for their achievements and the students took the opportunity to thank advisors, professors, other supporters and each other for a year of hard work and success.
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