Again and again, Beta Alpha Psi, the international accounting honor society at Florida International University (FIU), goes above and beyond what is expected by their national headquarters.
And again and again, the chapter receives the recognition of being named a Superior Chapter. In fact, since the FIU chapter was formed in 1986 it has received the Superior designation an incredible 17 times, including the last five years in a row.
“Our 113 members, FIU’s top accounting, finance and management information systems (MIS) students, are passionate about the organization and what it has to offer,” said President Matthew Fong Choy. “We constantly are pushing to create initiatives that make our group stronger as well as unique on a national level.”
Beta Alpha Psi is on 279 college campuses including the Eta Iota chapter at FIU, one of the organizations within the College of Business Administration. Fewer than half of the chapters earn Superior status.
Being named superior is no easy matter.
To be considered Superior, a chapter has to conduct many professional and community service activities.
FIU’s Beta Alpha Psi invites accounting firms to their Friday night meetings. Members have benefited from hearing from such firms as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and others.
“Our members have the opportunity to visit accounting firms, such as last year’s trip to Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Farra LLP in Miami,” said President-elect Abraham Grimaldo. “We also have excellent professional development events.”
This past academic year Beta Alpha Psi hosted Networking 101, a presentation by Patrick Curtin of Grant Thornton; an Excel Workshop with Kahlil Osborne of Deloitte; mock interviews with professionals; and a CPA Examination workshop by Becker Education.
“We also co-host ‘Ahead of the Game,’ the biggest recruiting event for accounting, finance and MIS students at FIU,” Grimaldo said.
Members are heavily involved in community service such as Adopt-A-Road, the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and other projects and events.
“I am very proud of my Beta Alpha Psi students,” said chapter advisor Jimmy Carmenate (MACC ’09). “It’s an honor and a privilege to be around young professionals who aspire to excellence and bring honor to FIU.”
