6/20/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Four Michigan State University students received a taste of real-world problem solving to pave the way to their professional careers at a recent national case study seminar in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Students from MSU who participated in the 7th annual Deloitte & Touche/Deloitte Foundation seminar are:
- Laura Delano of Northville, a junior accounting major
- Melissa Desmarais of Roseville, a fifth-year professional accounting program major
- Emily Mitchell of Ann Arbor, a junior accounting major
- Tim Thompson of Allegan, a junior accounting major
The MSU team, under the direction of faculty adviser Steven C. Dilley, professor of accounting and information systems, was one of six teams taking part in the program.
Approximately 30 students take part in a preliminary campus competition in November, Dilley said, and the top team represents the university at the national event. Each student spends nearly a month conducting research and reviewing accounting situations prior to the local event.
"This program is one of the many opportunities and part of a package the accounting department has for students to gain valuable exposure and experience to actual accounting situations," Dilley said. "Students also have the opportunity to serve as mentors to members of the team as well as be part of the team that goes on to the national competition."
Florida A&M University took first in the national competition and the University of Washington was second. Other schools participating were Brigham Young University, Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame. Scholarships were awarded to all of the seminar participants.
Each student team prepared case study presentations based on real world, complex accounting issues. Students identified the issues, devised a research plan and developed a solution to their assigned case. Each team also delivered a case presentation to a panel of faculty and Deloitte & Touche professionals who acted as senior management or the audit committee of a client.
The Deloitte Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports teaching, research and curriculum innovation in accounting. Deloitte & Touche, a professional service firm, provides advisory, tax and management consulting services.