COD accounting team takes top honors in the PwC Case competition
A team of College of DuPage accounting program students took top honors in the PwC Case competition.
Sponsored by PwC, the global accounting and consulting firm also known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, the day-long event was held in November at Northern Illinois University.
Throughout the competition, COD students Haris Vukovic, Shamak Shah, AJ Smith and Taylor Carrera examined strategic questions that real companies face all over the world.
Working with a PwC mentor, the competitors evaluated the case and developed their solutions, which were then presented to a panel of PwC managers and partners.
For Vukovic, it was a great chance to talk to and showcase his skills to professionals in his chosen field.
"The main thing I learned from spending the day with PwC professionals is that my goals are attainable," he said. "All of those mentors and other professionals were in the same or similar position as me when they were my age, and that realization gave me unimaginable relief - that it is possible for me to reach my professional desires."
Vukovic, who credits Accounting program Chair Maureen McBeth with pushing him to enter the competition, said the event was a turning point for him.
"Without (McBeth) I do not know what direction I would be going in right now," he said. "Before I was not exactly sure what I wanted to study, but after this amazing experience I have decided to pursue an accounting degree."
PwC's Case Challenge exposes more students to the world of public accounting. Since its launch in 2002, the program has grown significantly, with nearly 100 schools and 45,000 students participating.
"This is just one of many things NIU Accountancy does for the College of DuPage to help provide our students with opportunities to connect with their network of professionals," McBeth said. "As a faculty member, I couldn't be prouder of the teams that competed. It was an incredible day with so many takeaways for these future leaders."
Learn more about the Accounting program at College of DuPage at www.cod.edu/accounting.