Accounting Challenge

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SoA Annual Accounting Challenge

The School of Accountancy (SoA) has held the Accounting Challenge annually since 1998. Each year hundreds of high school and community college students come to the SIU campus to compete individually in an accounting academic challenge and as a team in team building competition(s). The students have the opportunity to earn scholarships, team trophies, bragging rights, and other prizes. This is a great opportunity for high school and community college students to showcase their accounting and teamwork skills, interact with SIU accounting students, faculty, and staff, and meet students from other high schools and community colleges.

The Challenge is sponsored by the SoA and the Accounting Circle. Thanks to our supporting donors and alumni, we are able to offer this as a free event.

The Accounting Challenge is made possible by our amazing accounting student volunteers. A committee of students work together during the fall and spring semesters to help organize and plan the Accounting Challenge. On the day of the event, a large number of our accounting student body volunteer their day to help make the event a success.

The School of Accountancy Accounting Challenge is held annually in February. The 2024 Accounting Challenge will be held Friday, February 2, 2024. Register Now!

If you have any questions or for more information, please email us at accountingchallenge@siu.edu.

See The 2023 Competition Winners

The Competitions

The Accounting Challenge is comprised of two competitions: one is an accounting written exam and the other is a team-building competition. Students will take an accounting written exam to compete for scholarships to the SIU School of Accountancy. Once a teacher registers for the event, they will receive a study guide for the written exam. From pre-assigned teams of four students (assigned by the high school/community college teacher), the students will compete as a team in fun, team-building activities for a team trophy. These activities are different each year and are designed by an emeritus SIU School of Art and Design faculty member.

Accounting 1 Written Exam

Students will complete this exam individually. It is for high school students who may have only had one accounting class or are currently enrolled in their first accounting class. It consists of accounting fundamentals including: terminology, accounting cycle, journal entries, depreciation, inventory, receivables, etc. It is 50 questions comprised of multiple choice and true/false questions.

Accounting 2 Written Exam

Students will complete this exam individually. It is for high school students who have completed at least one accounting class. This exam consists of the same information as the Accounting 1 material but with more in-depth and advanced questions. It is a 50-question exam comprised of multiple choice and true/false questions.

Community College Written Exam

Students will complete this exam individually. It is for community college students. This exam consists of the same information as the Accounting 2 material but with more in-depth and advanced questions. It is a 50-question exam comprised of multiple choice and true/false questions.

Team Building Competition

Students will compete in a team of four (pre-assigned by their teacher). If a team does not have four students, accommodations will be made. Dr. Larry Busch creates these exciting and stimulating activities encouraging the teams to work together to win the team trophies.

Scholarship Awards and Prizes

Scholarships are awarded to the top three scores for the Accounting 1 exam, the Accounting 2 exam, and the Community College exam. Schools may win a trophy for the top team scores.

General Schedule of Events

  8:00 am - 9:15 am   > Check-In and Breakfast
  9:15 am - 9:30 am   > Welcome
  9:30 am - 10:20 am > Academic Competition
10:20 am - 11:50 am > Team Building Competition
11:50 am - 12:10 pm > Student Panel
12:10 pm - 12:45 pm > Lunch
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm   > Awards Ceremony