Poole College’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter receives Distinguished Chapter Recognition

NC State Poole College’s Iota Omega chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the national honor society, scholastic, and professional accounting organization, received Distinguished Chapter Recognition for 2012-13.

“I commend the chapter’s officers for their leadership throughout the year,” said Dr. Eileen Taylor, associate professor in Poole College’s Department of Accounting and advisor for the student chapter last year. She was assisted in that role by Jared Plummer, a former member of the college’s accounting department staff and adjunct lecturer. This year, Taylor and Chris McKittrick, accounting lecturer, are serving as co-advisors.

The award recognizes the Poole College chapter’s efforts to fulfill the organization’s objectives, led by 2012-13 officers Tim Spahr, president; Alicia Starnes, vice president; Katherine Seagrave, treasurer, and Janey Kuyath, secretary.

“They successfully put on our first Golf Tournament Fundraiser, which enabled our board members to attend national and regional meetings in Baltimore and Nashville, respectively,” Taylor said.

“Other service activities included working with Backpack Buddies, the Adopt-a Highway program, CPA Day of Service, Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon, Stop Hunger Now, and more,” she said. Chapter members also helped to staff the college’s Accounting Clinic, which provides free help for students in ACC200 and ACC210.

These activities reflect the purpose of BAP, a national honor society, scholastic, and professional accounting organization. The organization’s goals include:

• recognition of outstanding academic achievements in the fields of accounting, finance, and information systems
• promotion of the study and practice of accounting, finance, and information systems
• providing opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing accountants, and
• encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibilities.

“The chapter is open to undergraduate and graduate students with intended or declared concentrations in accounting, information technology, or finance, Taylor said.

This is the second year in a row that the NC State chapter has received the distinction. In 2011-12, their chapter advisor was Dr. Roby Sawyer, professor of accounting.

The student chapter currently has 26 members and 27candidates.  Taylor explained that to be initiated as a member of Beta Alpha Psi, a candidate must:

• attend a set number of technical meetings, social events, and service events;
• have declared or plan to declare a concentration in accounting, information technology, or finance
• have completed at least one 300-level course in their concentration area, and
• have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (3.25 in the last 30 hours).

During the technical meetings, students learn from local professionals who talk with students about the profession and their career experiences, as well as about interviewing, networking, personal financial literacy, and ethics.

The NC State chapter was established in 2000, Taylor said, noting that prior advisors have had a role in the chapter’s ongoing success, including Sawyers and Dr. Kathy Krawczyk, Dixon Hughes Professor of Accounting and director of the college’s Master of Accounting Program. The national organization was established in 1919.

Leading the Poole College chapter this year (in the photo above) are, left to right: Zachary Daniels, vice president; Naveed Alizada; Amy Issichopoulos, president; and Tim Kochy, secretary.