Beta Alpha Psi - The University of Auckland Chapter

On Monday 11 May, our members headed to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Wairau Park for a morning of hands-on community work. From cleaning windows and sorting DVDs and vinyl records, to pricing items, wrapping crockery, reorganising the store floor, and sorting books for giveaway, the team got involved wherever help was needed to keep the store running smoothly.

Beyond helping prepare the new store space, it was also a great opportunity for members to connect, work together, and contribute towards an initiative that supports affordable housing and sustainable community impact. It was amazing to see everyone willing to jump into every task with such enthusiasm and positive energy throughout the morning.

A massive thank you to Jill McIntosh for coordinating the opportunity, and to Tara and the entire Habitat for Humanity team for welcoming us and allowing our members to be part of such meaningful work. We really appreciated the chance to contribute and support the important work Habitat for Humanity continues to do in the community 🙌

On Thursday 7 May, in collaboration with UAIC, students stepped into the world of equity research and investment analysis at the EY Market Sprint 📈

Working in teams, participants analysed a company, developed an investment recommendation, and presented a stock pitch on whether investors should buy, sell, or hold to a panel of judges. From evaluating financial performance and market positioning to defending their recommendations under pressure, students gained valuable insight into the analytical and strategic thinking involved in investment decision making.

It was great to see students put forward such thoughtful analysis and strong presentations. A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated and gave it their best effort throughout the evening.

The event also provided a great opportunity for students to collaborate with peers, refine their presentation skills, and connect with professionals. We also want to thank the EY judges for taking the time to listen to each pitch, challenge students with insightful questions, and share valuable feedback and industry perspectives throughout the event.

A massive thank you to EY, Jessica Woods, Jade Sumner, and University of Auckland Investment Club for organising and supporting the event, as well as to everyone involved in making the evening possible.

On Tuesday 12 May, we had the opportunity to participate in the Executive Mentoring Programme hosted by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in partnership with the University of Auckland.

The programme brought together university students and senior professionals from across Accounting, Finance, and Business for a day focused on mentorship, honest conversations, and career development. Through small-group discussions and networking, students were able to hear directly from experienced industry leaders about their career journeys, challenges, lessons learned, and advice for navigating both professional and personal growth.

A special thank you to Helen Delaney, Deputy Dean of the University of Auckland’s Faculty for Business and Economics, for opening the programme with such encouraging and thoughtful insights, reminding students that self-doubt is often only a small part of a much bigger and exciting journey ahead.

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to keynote speaker Chun Leung for sharing such valuable reflections and insights with students throughout the day. Drawing from his own experiences growing up and navigating his personal and professional journey, his perspectives on curiosity, growth, resilience, communication, and learning from those around you left a strong impression on all students.

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the executive mentors. Your honesty, vulnerability, and generosity in sharing your life experiences mean magnitudes. You truly help shape the next generation by helping us navigate uncertainty, embrace continuous learning, and constant reflection:

• Gilbert Yoo, Partner at BDO New Zealand
• Miranti Utami, Vice President at Jarden
• Peter Lee, Founder of P&C Consulting Ltd
• Lara Utatao, General Manager at NZ Super Fund
• Linda Waddington-Miller, Board Director
• Kim Choromanski, Director at PwC New Zealand (And one of Beta Alpha Psi - The Auckland Chapter’s founding members!)
• Sungesh Singh, Partner at UHY Haines Norton Auckland Ltd
• Wendy van der Walt, Director at Accor
• Liz O'Neil, CFO at Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities
• Debby Wong, Director at OCS Australia & New Zealand
• Chun Leung, Head of Finance at Goodman Fielder
• Richard Tims, Chief Digital & Data Officer at Vector

We also want to acknowledge and thank Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and everyone involved in organising the programme, including Jacklyn Lim, Christine McKinnon, Ashleigh, and Anthony M. for creating such a meaningful initiative.. A huge thank you as well to our Faculty Advisors, Frederick Ng, and Julie Harrison for helping support this initiative.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to support and participate in such an impactful event, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of initiatives like this in helping students build confidence, connections, and clarity as they begin their professional journeys.

On Wednesday, 6 May, we partnered with CPA Australia to host an engaging evening of trivia, discussion, and networking through our BAP x CPA Australia Trivia Challenge 📊✨

The night began with a fast-paced and highly competitive trivia challenge, where teams tested their knowledge across accounting concepts, business fundamentals, and current affairs. With live leaderboards, quick-fire questions, and plenty of competitive energy throughout the room, the challenge created a fun and relaxed atmosphere while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.

Following the trivia round, members took part in our interactive “Hot Takes” discussion session, where students voted if they agreed or disagreed on a series of thought-provoking statements relating to the accounting profession and broader industry trends. This sparked insightful discussions around the realities of the profession, emerging challenges, and differing perspectives within the industry.

We were incredibly fortunate to hear from our guest speakers, Bhavik Khatri and Stephen Benson, who generously shared their time, experiences, and valuable insights with our members throughout the evening. Their perspectives and advice gave students a meaningful opportunity to learn more about the profession in a highly engaging and interactive setting.

The evening concluded with networking over refreshments, where attendees had the opportunity to continue conversations with the speakers, CPA Australia representatives, and fellow students in a more relaxed environment.

A huge thank you to CPA Australia and Susanne Cook for partnering with us and helping organise such a successful event. We also want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the great energy and enthusiasm throughout the night.

Across the 29th of April and the 1st of May, our members came together to volunteer with Fair Food New Zealand 🌱✨

From sorting fresh, surplus produce to preparing food parcels, our team got hands-on in supporting the redistribution of food to local charities and community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s powerful to see how food that would have otherwise gone to waste can instead go towards nourishing families and individuals who need it most!

Beyond the work itself, the experience was a meaningful reminder of the impact that small, consistent efforts can have when people come together with a shared purpose. It was great to see members stepping outside the classroom, connecting with one another, and contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Initiatives like this highlight the importance of sustainability, community support, and responsible resource use - values that extend far beyond a single day of volunteering. We’re incredibly proud of our members for showing up with such enthusiasm and commitment, and for making a real, tangible difference over the two days.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part 💚

Your time and effort truly mattered, and we look forward to continuing to create impact together as a chapter.

Over the mid-semester break, from 8-10 April, our chapter had the privilege of attending the Beta Alpha Psi Oceania Mid-Year Meeting in Sydney 🇦🇺These were an incredible few days connecting with chapters across the region, sharing ideas, and learning what makes each chapter unique.

We’re extremely proud to share that two of our three teams placed FIRST in the Best Practices Competition - a milestone achievement for our chapter.

✨ Innovation & Progress: Eloise Anderson & Rohan Chilluvuri

✨ Sustainability: Anthony Huang & Hamed Mohammadi

We would also like to recognise Cris Escandor & Jessica Huang for their leadership and work in developing Collaboration Connect, a centralised platform designed to enhance how members engage with BAP. It has already seen strong uptake within our community, playing a key role in strengthening engagement, improving accessibility, and shaping a more connected and efficient chapter experience.

Each team put in an incredible amount of work behind the scenes - from refining their ideas, to multiple rounds of feedback, to delivering polished presentations on the day. Their results are a true reflection of the innovation, thought, and impact within our chapter.

This marks the first time our chapter has achieved two first-place finishes, with both teams now qualifying to represent us at the BAP Annual Meeting in the United States later this year, an achievement we’re proud of!

A huge thank you to all the sponsors and partners involved in making this year’s competition and event possible.

We’d also like to extend our gratitude to our Faculty Advisers Frederick Ng, Kayur Patel and Julie Harrison, along with Zach Kirby and Kotaro Ishii for their continued support, guidance, and time in helping our teams prepare. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Finally, thank you to all the Oceania chapters for such an inspiring and collaborative experience. We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue raising the bar for our chapter!

We’re excited to be partnering with CPA Australia to bring you BAP Semester 1 Scholarships for new members!

Three members who joined in Semester 1, 2026 will receive a $90 membership fee reimbursement, along with exclusive professional mentorship - a unique opportunity to gain insights, guidance, and industry exposure early in your career!

To apply, simply complete a short application sharing your motivations, aspirations, and involvement in BAP.

Eligibility:
✅Undergraduate student
✅Membership approved in Semester 1, 2026
✅Intending to pursue a career in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or Business Analytics

Scholarships will be awarded based on merit and the quality of responses. We highly recommend not missing out on this fantastic opportunity to receive a $90 full fee reimbursement while being recognised for your drive and ambition!

Application forms are linked on BAP Collaboration Connect or the BAP Facebook Group. Applications close 30 April.

Fraud. Clue packs. Competition. 🔍

On Thursday, 26 March, we partnered with CA ANZ to deliver our Forensic Case Crack, an evening designed to give members a real insight into the world of Forensic Accounting 🔍

We began with an introduction to Chartered Accounting, followed by an engaging session from Ashna Achari, a Forensic Accountant with over 15 years of experience in Financial Crime. Ashna walked us through her career journey, the path into Forensic Accounting, and the types of complex investigations she works on - offering valuable advice for students considering this space.

Members then stepped into the role of Forensic Investigators. Working in teams, they analysed a simulated fraud case through a series of progressive clue packs, from financial records to emails and company data, piecing together the story behind the numbers while competing against other teams.

The challenge wrapped up with a full solution walkthrough, where students gained insight into how the fraud was executed and how Forensic Accountants uncover and trace suspicious activity in practice.

We closed the evening with prizes for top teams and informal networking over nibbles. This was a great opportunity to connect with peers and professionals.

A huge thank you to CA ANZ and Ashna for such an insightful and interactive session ❤️

Special thanks as well to Christine McKinnon and Ashleigh Whitmore for their support in organising this event. We really appreciate your efforts in making this possible!

On Tuesday 24 March, we hosted our Grant Thornton ‘Back to the Future’ Case Crack, where BAP members stepped into the role of consultants for a fast-paced, real-world challenge. 🙌

Working in teams alongside Grant Thornton professionals, students developed strategic turnaround solutions for companies such as Kodak and Forever 21, tackling challenges around market positioning, revenue models, and long-term sustainability. 💡🌟

Each team then pitched their ideas to a judging panel, showcasing strong collaboration, creativity, and commercial thinking.

A huge thank you to Grant Thornton New Zealand for hosting us at your Auckland office and to all the professionals who supported our members throughout the evening. A special thank you to Teresa Toelau for her help in hosting and coordinating such a seamless and engaging event.

Lastly, thank you to all our BAP members who participated, it was great to see everyone step up and get involved!

On Thursday, 19 March, our members had the opportunity to take part in Mock Interviews with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, an evening designed to give students a realistic and hands-on insight into the recruitment process.

The night began with an introduction to the firm, where members gained an overview of Baker Tilly’s service lines, career opportunities, and practical interview tips including how to approach questions using the STAR method and avoid common pitfalls.

Members then rotated through mock interview sessions with professionals, giving them the chance to practise in a real interview setting and receive valuable, personalised feedback. Alongside this, our “Interview Bingo” added a fun and interactive twist to networking, encouraging students to connect with one another and build confidence in a more relaxed environment.

The evening wrapped up with informal networking over some great food, where members engaged with professionals to learn more about career pathways, recruitment processes, and life at the firm.

A huge thank you to Baker Tilly Staples Rodway and all the representatives who generously gave their time to support our members. A special thank you to Jessica Lane for her incredible support in organising and coordinating this event.

A really strong step forward for our members as they continue navigating recruitment and building their confidence in professional settings! ✨