Two Bachelor of Commerce students from the Sauder School of Business are headed to Dubai after winning the KPMG National Case Competition.
UBC BComs Kimberly Chang and Kathy Huang, along with SFU students Alex Mason and Mthabisi Mhlanga, formed the winning team at the 2015 national KPMG Ace the Case Competition last week.
The team will represent Canada at the KPMG International Case Competition in Dubai this April.
“I’m so proud of our team. I can't wait to represent Canada in a global competition and meet some of the brightest students from around the world,” says Chang. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“The best part of my experience has been the chance to work through challenges with my team and to witness our growth through each practice session. I think what really set us apart was our understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and using this to work more effectively as a team."
The KPMG Ace the Case competition involves a two-day workshop and competition hosted in each of KPMG’s four national offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. These workshops are designed and delivered by KPMG and geared towards first, second and third year commerce students with an interest in pursuing a professional public accounting designation. Students are given the opportunity to improve case-writing and analytical skills, as well as presentation skills.
“It has been a great opportunity to test our analytical skills and leverage the tools we’ve learned in the classroom and at the KPMG workshops,” says Huang. “The Sauder Case Competition Club was also a key part of my preparation for the competition.”
At the KPMG International Case Competition in Dubai, teams from more than 28 countries will be provided with case studies based on realistic business scenarios, and will be asked to identify the key business issues and to develop compelling recommendations, which they will present to a panel of experienced KPMG partners and leaders from around the world.
“We continue to be impressed with the quality of students from the Sauder School of Business at UBC and hope that Ace the Case assists in providing students with the skills and competencies needed to build a great career,” says Kate Vondette, KPMG Talent Attraction Manager.
Top photo (from left to right): team member Mthabisi Mhlanga (SFU), Kathy Huang, Kimberly Chang, team member Alex Mason (SFU), Kate Vondette, KPMG Talent Attraction Manager, Sarah Patterson, KPMG Talent Attraction Coordinator, and KPMG Staff Accountant Brandon Tracey.
