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KPMG case competition brings recognition and professional growth to six students in the college.

Half a dozen members of Florida International University’s Accounting Association (FIU-AA) made a strong showing in a case competition at the annual convention of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) in Orlando, Florida, in August, 2007. The KPMG/ALPFA case competition pitted 27 teams against each other at the regional level, with the FIU-AA team advancing to the finals.

Contestants had to address three specific questions related to accounting, R&D risk, and possible litigation for a pharmaceutical company. They had insurance proceeds from a fire that they wanted to invest in a new product production.

Starting in February, the team met about twelve hours weekly researching the accounting literature and practicing their presentation. Who are they, and why did they participate? We’ve profiled one, Gabriela Manrique, in the Features section of this issue. Here are the other hard-working members of the team.

Maxine Anderson

Maxine Andrea Anderson
Major: accounting and international business
Memberships: FIU-AA and ALPFA
Reasons for participating: great opportunity to network, work in a team, and see what it would be like to work in the field
Most valuable lesson: fine-tuning public-speaking skills and style while adapting to teammates’ styles to help create a presentation that flowed
Biggest challenges: practicing in front of a panel of faculty and other professionals; balancing the case-related duties with two jobs, two classes, and other extra-curricular activities
Impact on professionalism: a better feel for what the industry demands and an advantage to plan career more carefully
Encouraging others: “This is the best thing they could do for themselves, especially if they weren’t positive that accounting was for them.”
Future plans: internship with KPMG in the San Francisco office next summer; may continue working with them while finishing university’s Master of Accounting (MACC) program and studying for the CPA exam

Jovany Cossio

Jovany Cossio
Major: accounting
Membership: ALPFA, former webmaster
Reasons for participating: loved event last year for the competition and the networking opportunities; wanted to try to move on to the next level
Most valuable lesson: you can never practice enough but you could never prepare for the butterflies of the actual presentation—even if you can recite your part in your sleep
Biggest challenges: everyone’s busy schedules and being able to coordinate them; dissecting the accounting literature
Impact on professionalism: teamwork; learning the best places to find accounting literature; learning how to present to an audit committee
Encouraging others: “This puts you over the top. The networking opportunities you get within this competition are endless. You meet professionals on all levels from KPMG and get help and support from the ALPFA Miami Chapter.”
Future plans: pursue a career in public accounting on the tax side

Alejandro Euse

Alejandro Euse
Major: accounting
Memberships: FIU-AA, ALPFA, ALPFA Honor Society
Reasons for participating: challenge of competing against the cream of the crop; opportunity to represent the university and FIU-AA ALPFA Miami chapter on national level
Most valuable lesson: always put forth a positive attitude
Biggest challenge: putting together all the research and conclusions into a winning presentation
Impact on professionalism: opportunity to practice and apply my team work, communication, and listening skills since the auditing profession requires these abilities
Encouraging others: “The ALPFA KPMG case competition will provide you with a challenge that will motivate you to excel on a national level. You will have the opportunity to compete with the best and brightest students in the country, gain an invaluable experience that will provide you with the necessary tools to succeed in your transition from student to professional, and be able to network with KPMG, ALPFA, the Big Four, national firms, Fortune 500 companies, and students from across the country.”
Future plans: starting as staff auditor with McGladrey and Pullen, LLP in January, 2008; obtain CPA license and a MACC degree within next two years

Syed Ibrahim

Syed Ibrahim
Major: accounting
Memberships: FIU-AA, ALPFA Honor Society
Reasons for participating: getting necessary hands-on experience and a broader knowledge of the field; having a chance to get noticed as an individual, team, organization, and ultimately, school
Most valuable lesson: great accomplishment is not achieved without enthusiasm 
Biggest challenges: making initially dull and formal presentation into one delivered with humor and confidence; keeping information in my head
Impact on professionalism: dramatically improved presentation skills and ability to work in teams
Encouraging others: “I would first ask them the question, ‘Do you want to be part of something that you will remember for the rest of your life?’ As we all go our different ways and move on to other tasks and missions of life, I can speak on behalf of my team when I say that we all took and learned something that we can apply and remember for the rest of our lives.”
Future plans: pass the CPA and earn a master’s degree in accounting

Shakeel Ramzan

Shakeel Ramzan
Major: accounting and finance
Memberships: FIU-AA, Financial Management Association (FMA)
Reasons for participating: invited by Euse who said it was a great chance to get recognized and build up a career profile; wanted more involvement after participating in the Johnson & Johnson case study in the spring
Most valuable lessons: how to work more efficiently and collectively as a team, deal with teammates and keep spirit up even when tensions were high, project my voice and work the room when presenting, overcome shyness, and become a leader
Biggest challenges: juggling other responsibilities, resolving schedule conflicts, long hours, lack of sleep, preparing for classes, and stress
Impact on professionalism: become well rounded by seeing what to expect at business meetings and conferences; gaining knowledge of how to present selves in formal environments
Encouraging others: “Before entering into this case I had a very close-minded idea of what was out there for accounting majors. I studied all day long and had no ambition to get involved. However, after attending this event I quickly understood the importance of getting involved and learning what these companies have to offer us. This is definitely a great opportunity to meet wonderful people—from employers to lifetime friends.” 
Future plans: maybe a position in the public sector of accounting, hopes to have an internship to help shape career path