Swinburne’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter helps shape the next gen of accounting and finance leaders

Swinburne accounting, finance and information systems students are being equipped to thrive in their future careers through prestigious international honour society, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP). 

Swinburne’s BAP Chapter focuses on developing future business leaders through professional events, learning activities, industry engagement and mentoring opportunities. 

There are more than 300 BAP chapters worldwide. Membership is exclusive to universities accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Swinburne is just the sixth Australian chapter. 

Final year Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional) student Tom Vrsecky is the President of Swinburne’s BAP chapter, which is made up of 30 high-achieving students. 

Tom says the highlight of studying at Swinburne is benefitting from its close ties with alumni and industry partners. This has created opportunities that have been amplified by his involvement with BAP. 

‘These connections open up so many opportunities and possibilities for students, and I think this is something that you come to appreciate more as you begin to develop your career.’

Since the launch of Swinburne’s BAP chapter in 2020, the students have engaged with high-profile industry partners such as Pitcher Partners, accounting firm Korda Mentha, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and accounting software company Xero.

Starting with success 

Swinburne’s chapter has not let the COVID-19 pandemic get in the way of capitalising on opportunity and its members have accomplished a lot since its launch. 

Member Fadi Shamoun was recently awarded the BAP ‘Medal of Inspiration’.  He was singled out from entrants all over the world and received a $5,000 scholarship. The medal is presented to a BAP member who achieved greatness in the face of extreme hardships. In Fadi’s case, he overcame the challenges associated with being a refugee and achieved academic success.

Fadi says he was ‘in disbelief’ when he received the email announcement, after running into technical issues to organise his application essay and referees.

‘It was one of the best moments I have ever felt throughout my life, knowing I put so much effort into it and my hard work paid off.’ Fadi’s dedication to education and BAP has allowed him to extend his industry connections in Australia, including by securing a 12-month placement at construction company Coleman Rail. 

BAP students also collaborated with the accounting software provider Xero and undertook a three month ‘Think-Tank’. The goal was to develop ideas to empower secondary school students to become financially savvy by engaging with them in a fun way, using software platform Xero Learn.  

Vice-President of the Swinburne BAP chapter, Annabelle McKenzie says the ‘Think Tank’ was the ‘perfect opportunity’ to expand the skill set of all students involved. 

The program encouraged the development of key professional skills such as project management, teamwork, and public speaking., whilst allowing students to showcase their ability, connect with industry, and give back to the community.

The students efforts across multiple projects saw the Chapter take out the runner-up prize at the prestigious Best Practices Competition – Beta Alpha Psi Oceania Region, sponsored by Deloitte.

‘Our team were super excited to have achieved the result that we did, and our achievements in the competition also served to affirm that our program was aligned with the spirit and purpose of Beta Alpha Psi,’ says Tom Vrsecky.

Dr John Webster, Faculty Advisor of the Swinburne BAP Chapter says, ‘in addition to high-quality professional and technical development activities, students also participate in community initiatives that have social impact. Giving back to the community underpins the BAP program.’