The 2012 Student Challenge

The Chartered Accountants Student Challenge is a multiple category competition for Undergraduate University Students. The winners of each category of the 2012 Student Challenge will be celebrated at a final networking functon in October 2012.

The Chartered Accountants Student Challenge networking function will be hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and attended by high profile employers and prominent accounting industry professionals.

Who can enter?

All undergraduate students (including international students) studying at an Australian University are eligible for entry. The competition is directed at students studying a business, finance or accounting-related qualification, however there is no restraint in field of study. Entries can be team based or individual. Maximum team size: two students.

When do you need to enter by?

Final Submission date: 31 August 2012.

Two Student Challenges

There are two separate Challenges for undergraduate university students: The 1st Year Student Challenge is for 1st year students only and the Overall Student Challenge is for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students. Each Challenge has its own unique rewards. Please make sure you have selected the correct Challenge question before you start working on your submission.

What do you have to submit?

Each entrant/team will be required to make two submissions (Part A and Part B) by 31 August 2012. Each submission may be a combination of some or all of the following elements:

• a video (of up to but no more than five minutes in duration)
• an executive summary (up to but no more than 400 words)
• a picture and/or supporting documentation (up to but no more than three documents) in either:
  • Word (up to but no more than five pages)
  • PowerPoint (up to but no more than 15 slides)
  • Excel format (No more than one worksheet.

Only one of each document type may be submitted and documents exceeding the limits will not be marked beyond the limits specified above.

Quick Guidelines - please refer to full Terms and Conditions

• Register to participate as an individual or a team (limit of 2 people per team)
• You can only enter once
• Choose your Challenge: General Student Challenge or 1st Year Student Challenge
• You can only enter/qualify for one challenge
• The 10% rule for university assignments does not apply
• Stick to the submission instructions
• Answer both the Part A and Part B questions posed by the St James Ethics Centre for one Challenge
• The Part A questions will be accessible from 1 March 2012
• The Part B questions will be accessible from 1 May 2012
• Submissions must be lodged between 1 May 2012 and 31 August 2012
• A submission may be a combination of some or all of the following elements:
  • a video (of up to but no more than five minutes in duration);
  • an executive summary (up to but no more than 400 words);
  • a picture and/or supporting documentation (up to but no more than three documents) in Word (up to but no more than five pages)
  • PowerPoint (up to but no more than 15 slides) or
  • Excel format (No more than one worksheet)
• Only one of each document type may be submitted.
• For full Terms and Conditions see full terms & conditions

Judging Process

The judging panel will be nominated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and will consist of representatives from the Accounting industry, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and the not for profit partner - St. James Ethics Centre.

State Finalists by geographic region

State Finalists will be selected from the following geographic regions:

• New South Wales
• Australian Capital Territory
• Western Australia
• South Australia & Northern Territory (combined)
• Victoria & Tasmania (combined)
• Queensland

Prizes

State Finalists will have the opportunity to:

• Present to a judging panel and an audience of high profile employers
• Network with top industry professionals at a special awards event
• Win prizes including an all expenses paid trip to Sydney, a presentation skills workshop and corporate attire vouchers.

The 1st Year Student Challenge winner(s) will receive all of the above as well as a letter of recognition from the judging panel, media publicity and an Apple® iPad® 2.

The Overall Student Challenge winner(s) will receive all of the above as well as a letter of recognition from the judging panel; media publicity; an Apple® iPad® 2 and the opportunity to travel to a global financial capital.