Accounting team makes semifinals, earns chance at $10,000

A student team representing USI's Romain College of Business has been selected as semifinalists in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Competition.

USI's team, Screaming Eagles, was among more than 100 teams from universities nationwide competing to be one of 15 semifinalists. The team is made up of four students: Bryant Cornelius of Oden, Indiana, Brooke Neuhoff of Huntingburg, Indiana, and Nick Muensterman and Lauren Perigo of Evansville, Indiana. All are USI accounting majors except for Perigo, who is completing a Certificate of Accountancy, which allows students from other majors to take the CPA exam.

As a semifinalist, the team will submit a six-minute video presentation on November 11, which will be available for public viewing between November 13 and November 20 for a "popular vote" section of the competition. It also will be judged by a panel of experts. Past topics include fraud and forensics, the national deficit, and sustainability. This year's team will tackle personal financial planning. The scenario focuses on a young software developer with hopes of one day creating a mobile application. Competitors were given the task of providing the developer with financial advice.

"We had a great chance at becoming a semi-finalist," said Neuhoff, an accounting major. "Our plan allowed for a high rate of return while effectively allocating cash flows to fulfill the ambitions of the developer in this scenario. We presented it in a creative and persuasive way."

Teams with the top three videos will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to give a one-on-one presentation to judges. First place will be awarded $10,000. Second and third place will win $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.

For additional information about the competition or to register to vote for the Screaming Eagles video, visit www.thiswaytocpa.com/competition.