USU accounting club receives top awards
USU accounting students were honored last week with an award of excellence and $1,000 for being an outstanding student chapter by the Institute of Management Accountants at their leadership conference in Charlotte, N.C.
The money went toward financing the club’s trip to North Carolina and will help finance their service projects, according to Frank Shuman, the IMA adviser.
“The IMA is a national professional association for accountants,” Shuman said. “There are 87 student chapters in the US.”
This is the fifth time USU received an outstanding chapter award and the first time since 2009, Shuman said.
“Year after year, the USU IMA chapter has received top awards and is considered to be one of the best IMA student chapters in the nation,” said Matthew Hall, a former IMA officer. “This is largely because of the amazing opportunities that this chapter presents to its members. These opportunities include networking with successful business leaders and hearing them speak, networking with other business students, learning what it takes to be a successful financial leader, providing service to the community and many others.”
To receive the best strategic plan award, they had to have a goal and mission statement, plan professional meetings, socials, tour a manufacturing facility and do lots of service, said USU IMA president Mike Bills.
Students in the student chapter volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program of the Internal Revenue Service. This program trains students to do taxes for low income families.
“IMA helps students get involved and network,” Bills said. “It helps with professionals, professors and service.”
USU IMA also received awards for best strategic plan, best program and activities and best communications.
Every year, the student chapter has to apply to be involved in the IMA and to participate in the annual competition with other student chapters. When applying, they select which level they want to do – gold, silver or bronze. The student chapters are graded in these areas on if they met the requirements.
In addition to professional meetings and guest speakers, the IMA student chapter does service projects. They have an annual Sub for Santa fundraiser. Last year they raised $450 and were able to sponsor seven kids, Shuman said.
As for Bills, he has two internship offers in the summer in Washington, D.C. from two out of the four biggest accounting firms in the nation. He will
work for one of them in auditing, but hopes to work in an industry firm at some point.
“Being a part of IMA has been a great experience for me and has helped to enhance my educational experience,” Hall said. “One of the great things about IMA is the networking opportunities that it presents. As an officer in the organization last year, I was able to go out to dinner with several great business leaders including CFOs, partners from CPA firms, successful entrepreneurs and many others.”
-marissa.neeley@aggiemail.usu.edu