OBJECTIVES



Kappa Beta CHAPTER OF

BETA ALPHA PSI

HANDBOOK

AT GRAND VALLEY

STATE UNIVERSITY

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OBJECTIVES

Beta Alpha Psi is a national honor society and professional accounting fraternity. The primary objective of the fraternity is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the field of accounting. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting; providing opportunities for self-development; promoting association among members and practicing accountants; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility.

MEMBERSHIP

Beta Alpha Psi membership includes those persons of good moral character who have achieved scholastic and/or professional excellence in the field of accounting, who have been initiated according to the ritual, and who remain in good academic standing.

Minimum scholastic requirements for undergraduate membership are set forth in the national by-laws. Graduate student initiates must have been accepted and matriculated into a masters degree level program.

Active members must:

1. Have a declared concentration in accounting, finance, or information systems.

2. Not miss more than two regular meetings

3. Serve actively on one committee

4. Tutor the specified number of sessions, set at the beginning of each semester

5. Participate in one fundraising event.

6. Complete 10 hours of community service each year.

Undergraduate Pledges must:

1. Have a declared concentration in accounting, finance, or information systems.

2. Be enrolled in at least one upper level (300 level) accounting, finance, or information systems course.

3. Have an upper level concentration GPA of 3.0 or greater, or attain that upon completion of the class.

4. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, or have 3.25 on the most recent 30 semester hours.

Graduate Student Pledges must:

1. Be accepted into the masters degree program in accounting, finance, or information systems.

2. Not miss more than one regular meeting

3. Serve actively on one committee

4. Tutor the specified number of sessions, set at the beginning of each semester

5. Participate in one fundraising event.

6. Complete 10 hours of community service each year.

If pledges do not obtain these points by the end of the semester, they will not be initiated. They will have one more semester to pledge. If following their second pledge semester these points are not earned, the will no longer be eligible to pledge again.

The Executive Board may decide to allow members and pledges to miss more than the allotted meetings based on extreme circumstances, such as a death in the family. Employment and conflicting class schedules are not reasons to lift the attendance requirement.

BENEFITS

As a member you are recognized as one of the top accounting students at Grand Valley State University. The meetings facilitate relationships with the accounting community through interaction with business professionals from West Michigan and other areas. Membership provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with firms and businesses while, at the same time allowing the firms and businesses to get to know the students. Furthermore, it allows members to keep up-to-date on the constantly changing issues that accounting professionals need to deal with everyday. Employers of accounting students are familiar with Beta Alpha Psi and its activities. It is understood that Beta Alpha Psi represents excellence and that its activities are designed to supplement a student's education.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

For the current E-Board members, please see the website…www2.gvsu.edu/~bap

President

1. Responsible for registering the Kappa Beta Chapter each year as an official student organization of

Grand Valley State University

2. Manage the activities of the Vice-President, Correspondent, and Treasurer.

3. Run all official club meetings

4. Appoint members as committee chairs as needed.

5. Report directly to the faculty advisor

Vice-President

1. Manage the activities of the Reporter and Webmaster

2. Holds the authority to delegate responsibility of additional planning or execution of activities to other

officers, except the President, as needed

3. Work closely with the President in running the fraternity.

4. Responsible for the reconciliation of the monthly bank statements.

Reporter

1. Responsible for all communications between the Kappa Beta Chapter and the National Office of Beta

Alpha Psi.

2. Works directly with the Vice-President in order to ensure that the activities are properly planned and

executed.

3. Record minutes of designated fraternity meetings.

4. Maintains event attendance list at fraternity activities.

Correspondent

1. Responsible for all communications between the Kappa Beta Chapter and GVSU, as well as with all guest speakers and professional attendees.

2. Report directly to the President, and helps plan and execute fraternity activities.

3. Maintains a directory of all professional contacts.

4. Send out weekly emails keeping members and pledges informed of chapter activities.

5. Manage the email account provided by Grand Valley

Treasurer

1. Responsible for maintaining the checking account.

2. Prepares monthly financial updates and yearly budget.

3. Responsible for depositing all fraternity funds

4. Manages fundraisers

5. Reports directly to the President, and helps plan and execute fraternity activities.

Webmaster

1. Manage the Kappa Beta Chapter’s webpage, making sure it is working and that all information is up to

date.

2. Works directly with the Vice-President in order to ensure that the activities are properly planned and

executed.

3. Implement new technology to further the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.

4. Compiles resumes for the Fall Semester Resume Book

5. Creates signs and posters to advertise the fraternity.

**Officers are elected once each fall and winter semester and remain in office for the duration of one semester unless re-elected.

COMMITTEES

Members and pledges must serve actively on one committee.

1. Presentation & Outreach: Will be coordinating activities for conferences and participating in outreach activities to build our organization.

2. Fundraising: Raise money for beta events, operations, and to help pay for required regional and national conferences.

3. Service: Find events that Beta can participate in to fulfill the requirements of community service.

4. Planning: Their primary task is to assist the e-board in coming up with a schedule for the following semester, and planning events.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Why should I join Beta?

You will be recognized nationally as a top accounting student; firms look for Beta Alpha Psi on resumes. You’ll meet firm representatives. You become better acquainted with fellow accounting students whom you can call for help with classes, and keep on top of the changing topics concerning accounting professionals. We also have a lot of fun!

2. What do you do at Beta meetings?

The majority of the meeting is devoted to a guest speaker, who usually presents his/her topic for 30-45 minutes; remaining time is used for any questions or a discussion and to relay reminders and important dates and information. Following the meeting, a more informal discussion normally takes place between the members and the speaker at another place of establishment, usually a restaurant. You’ll have the opportunity to attend the regional and national meetings wherever they are held that year. Beta participates in VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), fundraisers and other community service activities. Beta also holds socials and numerous “fun events” where we go out as a group, relax, and have fun.

3. How much time does it take out of my week?

A member should expect to devote at least one to two hours a week to Beta. However, when more than one activity is planned in addition to the regular meeting, more time is required.

4. When does Beta meet?

Regular meetings are held on Thursday nights at 7pm. (During the fall semester, visits to firms are at 5:30pm).

5. Is it worth it?

Yes! If you want to learn more, call or e-mail a member of the executive board, a professor, or any other member and ask them.

6. What if I don’t meet all the requirements, but am interested in joining?

Continue to pursue an interest in Beta, but become a casual participant. We realize that there are students who are not yet juniors, are not able to attain the minimum GPA, or are not accounting majors who want to be associated with Beta Alpha Psi. We would like to welcome you to any events that catch your interest.

7. What if I meet all the requirements, am interested in joining, but don’t have enough time to meet every week?

If you are interested in occasional Beta Alpha Psi events but are unable to attend regularly, we welcome you to any events that catch your interest.

8. How or when do I actually become a member of Beta Alpha Psi?

After meeting the requirements, you will be initiated at the end of the semester.

www2.gvsu.edu/~bap

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VISION PROJECT 1998

In early February 1998, a group of accounting students at Grand Valley State University set out to define a vision for their petitioning chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. A vision statement is a document stating what an organization desires for it’s future. This set of students proceeded through interviews to determine what university faculty, professionals, and the community would like to see in a prominent organization like BA(. This vision statement defines the intentions of the BA( chapter at Grand Valley State University, what the chapter can provide students, and what students can expect to gain.

( Participation in a nationally recognized honors fraternity demonstrates a serious interest in the world of accounting. Members are exposed to the role of the accountant in local, national and international industries and governments. They receive a first-hand look at new concepts, trends, and issues affecting the profession, which is constantly evolving. Current issues confronting new accounting graduates range from the globalization of markets, economics, currencies to the acceleration of technology in communications, and information systems to the higher demands of the client and the prospective employee. Today’s graduates are willing to live for their careers, and they expect to be compensated accordingly.

BA( encourages involvement with many professional organizations including, and not limited to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, American Society of Women Accountants, and state organizations at an early stage in the students’ career in order to establish valuable connections within the realm of the accounting profession. Membership in these organizations enhances awareness of the many opportunities open to students, and complements the scholastic approach to the accounting environment by providing a frame of reference.

The image projected by a BA( member is one of respect, accomplishment, and fellowship with other students, faculty and professionals. An active chapter earns recognition not only from the University, but from the community as well.

( BA( is structured to provide a broader perspective of the challenging and noble profession of accounting. One of the goals of a good BA( chapter is to have members come from the meetings excited about the future and its endless possibilities. Lifelong participation can be rewarding and useful in the coming years, especially during the “Big Exam” seasons. Once initiated, students receive recognition and respect from their peers, instructors and potential employers.

The mission of any student accounting organization is to advertise potential candidates for employment to the companies and firms. Accounting firms realize the need to attract high quality students. Beta Alpha Psi encourages building relationships between students and all accounting firms so that students can get a clear idea of what the firms are looking for in an accounting graduate. Beta Alpha Psi resumes will be on the top of the pile.

( Qualifying for membership requires not only academic excellence but also motivation to achieve excellence in the real world. Beta Alpha Psi provides opportunities for interaction, the student provides the rest. BA( expects students to develop professional integrity, to honor commitments, and to recognize that service to the community is the highest priority of an accountant. BA( assumes that students are interested in learning about current business issues and their impact on the profession. BA( requires students to present themselves honorably in all situations. Many students can graduate with a degree in accounting. Many students can join an accounting club. Few students can be members of an honors accounting fraternity. BA( provides a vehicle to tie together their academic and social experiences opening the door to the best jobs.

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