UW Beta Alpha Psi Named Most Improved Chapter

The UW chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was named most improved by the venerable accounting society. It was a long time coming.

Recent years have seen a renaissance in the organization's delta chapter, which dates to 1921 and virtually the creation of the Business School itself. Architects of the turnaround include past presidents Leslie Ogden (B.A., 2002), Jessica Eland (B.A., 2003), Michael Anderson (B.A., 2004) and Jeff Gorder (B.A., 2005). The first three were encouraged to take leadership roles by faculty adviser Bill Wells, who just happens to teach the Business School's accounting prerequisite course.

An aggressive recruiting campaign has increased membership from 30 in 2000 to 170 today. "We always tell our students that we can teach them the technical stuff that is needed for entry into the profession. But we don't teach the profession of accounting," says Wells, who has begun a three-year term as Beta Alpha Psi western regional director. "This organization helps them understand their options, meet key people in the industry, learn where the jobs are."

In addition to professional development in the form of seminars, lectures and company visits, the organization also guides students to community service. This can mean mentoring Junior Achievers, serving at the U-District Food Bank, or applying their accounting skills to help low-income filers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, among a host of service efforts.

UW Beta Alpha Psi has excelled in both areas, receiving recognition as a Superior Chapter for four years running. Wells is pleased to see the positive feedback loop that has taken hold of this thriving organization for financial information students. "Last year at orientation," he says, "Jeff Gorder told the incoming students that not only does he go to school with the people in Beta Alpha Psi, he also studies with them, socializes with them, works in the community with them. They become his best friends. And they are going to be his network in the future."

Return to October 2005 BA Alumni News