Leadership Awards Night Nomination
Outstanding Organization of the Year

Beta Alpha Psi

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Please  include  the  following  information  on  the  top  of  
your  submission:  
• “Organization  of  the  Year”  
• Beta  Alpha  Psi,  the  International  Accounting  Organization  
• Large    
• Andrew  Argue      
• (918)  344-­‐7773    
• 193  
• Nominee    
• 87    
• ~$14,000  (Please  see  the  budgeting  section)    
• Dr.  Mary  Keener  &  Dr.  Teresa  Pergola  
 
2.  What  is  the  mission  statement  of  your/nominee’s  
organization?  
 
Beta  Alpha  Psi  is  an  honorary  organization  for  Financial  Information  students  and  
professionals.  The  primary  objective  of  Beta  Alpha  Psi  is  to  encourage  and  give  
recognition  to  scholastic  and  professional  excellence  in  the  business  information  
field.  This  includes  promoting  the  study  and  practice  of  accounting,  finance  and  
information  systems;  providing  opportunities  for  self-­‐development,  service,  and  
association  among  members  and  practicing  professionals,  and  encouraging  a  sense  
of  ethical,  social,  and  public  responsibility.  

Our  mission  for  this  year  is  to  promote  the  personal  and  professional  development  
of  our  members  and  stakeholders.  
 
3.  Specifically,  what  activities  did  your/nominee’s  
organization  sponsor  to  meet  your  
Mission/objectives?  
 
In  order  to  meet  our  mission  and  objectives  for  the  year,  our  Chapter  continued  with  
our  “Ten  year  Sustainability  Plan”.  The  plan  is  outlines  in  the  six  categories  below:  
 
Recruiting  
Maintaining  Members  
Budgeting  
Media  Exposure  
Succession  Plan  
Alumni  Involvement  
Institutional  Support  
 
We  used  this  plan  as  a  basis  for  forming  all  of  our  benchmark  goals  for  the  year  and  
as  an  effective  tool  to  measure  progress.    This  document  is  published  for  all  of  our  
members  to  see  to  ensure  accountability  and  responsibility.  
4.  What  were  your/nominee’s  organizational  goals  for  
2009-­2010?  Describe  how  your/nominee’s  organization  
met  those  goals.  If  your/nominee’s  organization  fell  short  
of  achieving  the  goals,  how  did  your/nominee’s  
organization  respond?  Please  be  specific  and  include  
details  of  your  activities.  
 
Last  year  we  created  a  “Ten  Year  Sustainability  Plan”  to  ensure  the  future  success  
of  our  Chapter.    Our  progress  on  the  plan  is  shown  below:  
 

 
 
This  year  we  have  seen  tremendous  success  and  have  implemented  programs  and  
activities  that  have  strongly  enhance  the  lives  of  everyone  around  us.    We  are  going  
to  talk  in  detail  about  each  section  and  its  success.  
 
The  seven  sections  are  outlined  in  detail  with  an  analysis  of  what  goals  have  been  
met,  and  what  will  be  accomplished  in  the  remainder  of  the  year.  
 
 
 
Recruiting  

 
 
In  order  to  join  our  Chapter  students  must  be  enrolled  in  a  300  level  accounting,  
finance,  or  ITM  course,  which  mean  people  cannot  join  until  the  end  of  their  
sophomore  year.    
 
However,  this  year,  we  created  a  new  student  organization  on  campus,  the  
Accounting  Club.    We  use  this  club  (which  has  not  requirements  other  than  
interest)  to  catch  freshmen,  sophomores,  and  other  students  who  do  not  meet  the  
requirements  on  Beta  Alpha  Psi.    It  acts  as  a  funnel,  leading  students  into  our  
Chapter  and  the  President  was  elected  Student  leader  of  the  month  for  the  entire  
University.    The  organization  has  seen  tremendous  success  and  it  is  amazing  to  
mentor  a  smaller  organization  for  the  advancement  of  the  campus  community.  
 
The  graph  below  (on  the  left)  shows  the  growth  of  our  membership  over  the  last  
two  years  and  this  year,  we  have  grown  from  47  to  87.  
 
As  shown  below  (to  the  right),  the  Accounting  Club  truly  completes  the  Holistic  
Accounting  Experience  at  the  Universtiy  of  Tampa.    

Later  this  semester  we  will  be  fulfilling  our  final  goal  under  recruiting  &  maintaining  
membership,  which  are  Executive  Committee  office  hours.  
 
 
Maintaining  Members  

 
 
Recruiting  great  talent  for  our  Chapter  is  important,  this  year  we  are  striving  to  
develop  the  students  who  join  our  organization.    We  have  held  numerous  programs  
on  Diversity  throughout  the  year  where  our  members  explain  the  difference  in  their  
chapters.    However,  the  biggest  impact  we  made  this  year  for  Diversity  was  Allied  
Training.    Each  of  our  members  are  Allies  to  the  GLBT  Community  after  a  
presentation  and  training  session  by  Mathew  Lebrasseur.    It  truly  made  our  chapter  
more  comfortable  for  every  single  member.  

 
In  addition  to  focusing  on  diversity,  this  year  we  developed  a  unique  recognition  
program.    When  our  members  go  above  and  beyond,  they  are  awarded  with  a  
Snuggie.    We  have  learned  that  is  it  the  extra  steps  we  take  that  maintain  our  
members.      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another  event  we  have  planned  for  this  year  is  our  1st  Annual  Leadership  Retreat.    
We  are  going  camping  and  canoeing  while  participating  in  numerous  development  
activities  recommend  by  the  College  of  Business  Center  for  Leadership.    In  addition,  
our  last  goal  is  to  achieve  Gold  Status  for  2010.    We  will  be  applying  for  Gold  Status  
over  the  summer  and  the  announcements  are  made  at  the  Beta  Alpha  Psi  National  
Conference  in  San  Jose,  CA  August  5th-­‐7th.  
 
The  last  improvement  we  started  this  year  was  perhaps  our  most  effective  activity  
in  maintaining  membership.    This  year  we  started  our  very  first  intramural  sports  
team.    Yes,  the  accounting  honors  nerds  play  softball.    Although  we  never  
legitimately  won  a  single  game  (we  had  one  win  because  the  other  team  forfeit),  
starting  our  first  team  gave  our  members  meaning  to  the  words  communication  and  
collaboration.    We  were  able  to  get  a  little  dirt  on  our  shirts,  and  work  as  a  team.      

 
In  addition  to  the  Softball  Team,  we  started  our  own  intramural  Volleyball  Team  
as  well!  

 
Budgeting  

 
 
Our  Chapter  has  worked  extremely  hard  to  raise  money.    The  graph  below  shows  
our  revenue  for  the  Academic  year  as  of  February  31st.  
 
Revenue  this  Year  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  have  been  able  to  raise  this  money  through  affiliate  marketing  with  other  
companies.    For  example,  when  our  members  purchase  textbooks  online,  a  portion  
of  the  company’s  revenue  goes  directly  to  our  chapter.    However,  the  most  exciting  
thing  we  did  this  year  was  creating  a  system  of  financial  controls.    We  applied  
what  we  have  learned  in  the  classroom  to  our  Chapter  to  ensure  our  funds  are  used  
appropriately.    The  system  encompasses  four  systems  shown  below.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Media  Exposure  

 
 
This  year,  we  have  received  some  of  the  best  media  exposure  in  the  history  of  our  
organization.    We  have  been  highlighted  in  the  Minaret  and  on  the  University  of  
Tampa  Website  for  our  accomplishments  in  the  community.  
 
However,  we  have  seen  two  major  improvements  in  media  exposure  this  year.    The  
first  is  our  website.  We  launched  our  website  and  we  have  had  tremendous  
feedback  from  members,  professionals,  and  the  community  at  large.    It  allows  us  to  
recruit  better  and  is  a  great  way  to  disseminate  information  to  the  community.  
 
The  second  is  the  recognition  our  members  received  when  President  Barack  
Obama  visited  our  campus  for  a  town  hall  meeting.    Three  of  our  members  were  
chosen  out  of  6,000  UT  students  to  sit  on  stage  behind  the  President.    What  an  honor  
it  is  that  our  members  reside  in  the  top  .5%  of  campus  leaders.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Succession  Plan  

 
 
To  ensure  that  our  organization  is  around  for  years  to  come,  we  focus  heavily  on  
ensuring  we  have  the  right  people  around  to  carry  on  the  job.    This  year  we  added  
10  new  director  positions,  which  allow  for  more  students  in  our  organization  to  
take  on  leadership  roles.    It  also  provides  assurance  that  our  Chapter  will  be  a  
thriving  University  of  Tampa  Student  Organization  for  years  to  come.  

 
The  last  thing  we  did  was  split  the  Vice  President  Position  into  three  new  
positions.    This  allowed  our  Chapter  to  give  more  to  the  membership  and  the  
Tampa  Bay  community.    With  the  creation  of  the  Vice  President  of  Service,  we  have  
a  member  who  is  solely  dedicated  to  making  sure  our  members  give  back.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alumni  Involvement  

 
 
Our  alumni  are  one  of  our  greatest  tools  to  connect  our  Chapter  has  to  connect  the  
members  to  the  professional  world.    The  majority  of  our  alumni  have  gone  to  local,  
regional,  and  national  accounting  firms  in  the  Tampa  Bay  area.    They  return  to  our  
Chapter  with  their  firms  give  presentation  on  the  transition  to  the  professional  
world,  interviews,  and  more.  
 
This  year,  one  of  our  alumni  has  affected  our  Chapter  and  the  Tampa  Bay  
community  in  a  way  unmatched  in  Beta  Alpha  Psi  history.    Chedu  Moyo,  a  2006  
graduate  forge  a  link  between  our  Chapter,  Deloitte  (a  national  accounting  firm),  
and  “The  Economics  of  Success”  program  with  Junior  Achievement.    We  have  given  
over  1,600  service  hours  to  teaching  financial  literacy  to  8th  grade  students  in  the  
Tampa  Bay  Community.    We  could  not  have  accomplished  this  amazing  task  without  
the  knowledge  and  dedication  of  Chedu  Moyo.  

 
Lastly,  we  have  planned  an  alumni  social  at  our  last  meeting  of  the  semester,  April  
28th.     This   will   be   a   speed-­‐networking   event   and   show   our   members   the   rewards  
that  come  from  Beta  Alpha  Psi.  
 
Institutional  Support  

 
 
In  our  definition  of  institutional  support  there  are  two  parts.    The  first  is  the  support  
we  receive  from  other  organization  and  the  second  is  the  support  we  give.      
 
What  we  have  received  this  year:  
 
Because   of   the   reputation   our   Chapter   has   in   the   community,   we   have   received   a  
tremendous   amount   of   support   from   different   firms   and   organizations.     Career  
Services  donated  all  of  the  revenue  from  an  event  called  “Meet  the  Firms”  (almost  
$3,000).     Student   Government   donated   over   $1500   this   year   to   send   our   members  
to  the  IMA  National  Leadership  Conference.      

Lastly,  a  local  accounting  firm  (Gregory,  Sharer,  and  Stuart)  as  well  as  the  
Institute  of  Management  Accountants  donates  $1000  annually  to  our  Chapter.    
We  used  this  money  to  sponsor  members  of  the  community  to  join  our  Chapter  
based  on  academic  achievement  and  need.    How  inspiring  that  we  were  able  to  give  
these  two  candidates  the  opportunity  to  join  who  otherwise  would  not  have  been  
able  to  afford  it.      

 
 
What  we  have  given  back:  
 
A  group  of  our  students  started  a  service-­‐learning  project.    Their  goal  was  to  help  a  
not-­‐for-­‐profit  organization  improve  the  business  practices.    However,  they  wanted  
to  do  a  pilot  test.    Six  of  our  members  developed  and  implemented  a  chapter  
management  system  for  the  American  Marketing  Association  at  The  University  Of  
Tampa.    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  impact  that  our  member  had  on  the  AMA  was  immense.    They  gave  them  
structure  and  controls  that  they  had  never  had  before.    It  gave  them  the  
infrastructure  they  needed  to  continue  as  a  successful  organization  at  The  
University  of  Tampa.  
 
After  the  pilot  test,  the  same  six  Beta  Alpha  Psi  members  got  down  to  business.    
They  have  now  partner  with  the  SHARE  network.    The  SHARE  network  is  a  not-­‐for-­‐
profit  that  provides  discounted  groceries  to  members  of  the  community  who  are  
less  fortunate.  They  have  begun  to  develop  a  database  management  system  using  
Microsoft  Access.      This  will  allow  the  SHARE  network  to  continue  their  focus  on  the  
community  while  allowing  our  members  to  tighten  up  their  business  practices.      
They  have  also  developed  Policies  and  Procedures  manuals  for  the  SHARE  network  
to  ensure  each  employee  and  volunteer’s  time  is  utilized  effectively,  and  efficiently.    

 
Our  partnership  with  SHARE  has  just  begun  and  we  have  made  enormous  strides.    
The  progress  that  we  have  made  with  this  entity  has  greatly  strengthened  the  
allegiance  that  our  members  have  to  our  Chapter.    
 
Another  piece  of  support  we  have  given  back  to  the  community  is  Relay  for  Life.    
The  event  has  not  taken  place  this  year  but  we  have  already  begun  raising  funds.    
Last  year  we  were  the  student  organization  with  the  most  representatives  and  we  
don’t  expect  that  to  drop.    We  raised  over  $1,500  last  year  and  this  year  our  goal  is  
over  $3,000.    In  addition,  our  members  are  planning  on  being  involved  with  the  
accounting  for  the  event,  once  again  putting  our  skills  to  work  in  the  community.  
 
The  last  and  most  fascinating  piece  of  institutional  support  is  called  VITA.    
Volunteer  Income  Tax  Assistant.    After  our  members  take  Tax  Accounting,  they  
provide  at  a  minimum,  twenty  hours  of  free  tax  service  for  the  underprivileged.    
They  go  out  to  specified  locations  in  the  community  and  work  hand  in  hand  with  the  
IRS  to  ensure  that  everyone  is  filling  out  there  taxes.    This  is  unlike  many  other  
service  projects  that  people  do  in  the  sense  that  we  are  donating  services  worth  
upwards  of  $50  per  hour.    How  amazing  is  it  that  our  members  are  able  to  make  that  
large  of  an  impact  on  the  lives  of  so  many  in  the  Tampa  Bay  community.  
5.  Please  include  any  additional  activities  or  information  
your  organization  would  like  to  be  considered  in  the  
selection  process.  
 
Each  year,  Beta  Alpha  Psi  has  eight  Regional  conferences  and  a  National  Conference.    
At  those  conferences  Chapters  come  from  all  over  the  world  to  compete  in  the  
“Deloitte  Best  Practices  Speech  Competition”.    There  are  three  topics  to  compete  
in  each  year.  
 
Last  year,  we  sent  one  team  to  the  Regional  Competition  and  they  won  1st  Place,  
which  gave  them  the  opportunity  to  compete  at  Nationals.    They  won  1st  Place  at  
the  National  Competition  again  against  schools  like  NYU,  University  of  Oregon,  and  
University  of  Southern  California.    
 

 
 
After  all  the  hype  from  winning  on  a  National  stage,  we  sent  two  teams  to  the  
Regional  Competition  on  February  12-­‐20th  in  Orlando.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOTH  teams  won  1st  Place  against  LSU,  USF,  USF  St.  Pete,  UCF  and  many  others.    
They  are  now  both  given  an  invitation  to  compete  at  Nationals  in  San  Jose,  CA  in  
August  against  the  best  Chapters  in  the  world.    Below  is  the  outline  of  the  
presentation  used  for  one  of  the  teams.    It  was  made  in  revolutionary  new  
presentation  software  called  Prezi.  
 

 
 
The  point  of  the  “Best  Practices”  Competition  is  for  Chapter  around  the  world  to  
prove  they  do  things  better  than  anyone  else.    We  have  won  four  competitions  in  the  
last  year  out  of  four  tries.    We  are  proven  in  the  Beta  Alpha  Psi  circles  to  be  a  
premiere  chapter  in  the  entire  world.  
 
While  our  Organization  received  its  charter  only  seven  years  ago,  we  have  advance  
to  the  top  of  an  organization  (Beta  Alpha  Psi  nationals)  that  has  been  around  for  
eighty-­‐one  years.    In  seven  years  we  have  become  the  premiere  chapter  in  the  
Southeastern  United  States  and  one  of  the  strongest  Beta  Alpha  Psi  Organizations  in  
the  world.    We  have  developed  our  organization  to  be  successful  and  sustainable  for  
decades  to  come.    The  impact  we  made  on  the  Tampa  Bay  community  this  year  is  
tremendous.    We  submit  this  application  to  be  considered  for  “Organization  of  the  
Year”  for  The  University  Of  Tampa  in  the  year  2010.  
 
 
Beta  Alpha  Psi  
Lambda  Beta  Chapter  
The  University  Of  Tampa