Monash Business School accounting students claim global honours for community impact

11 September 2025

Monash Business School’s Beta Alpha Psi – Xi Epsilon chapter has cemented its status as one of the world’s top performers, bringing home two major awards from the international finals in Texas.

The four-day meeting brought together accounting students, faculty advisors and professionals from across the globe, showcasing initiatives that combined academic excellence with community impact.

Beta Alpha Psi - Xi Epsilon Chapter students are among the
world’s top performers.

The Monash team, including Co-Presidents Patrick Kewin and Smriti Soni, alongside Aneri Shah, Thomas Shibu, Georgia Lee Kyranis, William Marshall, Aditya Jain and Shafneen Rahman, claimed first place in Deloitte Best Practices for their presentation, Cause Consulting.

The student-led initiative helps charities refine their pitches for donations from professional firms.

“Earning a first place in Best Practices is a massive achievement for the chapter, and our first in seven years,” Patrick Kewin said. “It’s a true testament to the impact that our initiative, Cause Consulting, has had on both students and the wider community.”

The chapter also secured Platinum Chapter Recognition in the KPMG Platinum Challenge — a title awarded to only the top five per cent of Beta Alpha Psi chapters worldwide.

“This award is a reminder that Xi Epsilon has consistently demonstrated dedication and creativity in making an impact, and to come from this heritage of excellence is truly an honour,” Smriti Soni said. “The opportunity to showcase our chapter, and earn high recognition for doing so, continues to be a driving force for Xi Epsilon looking into the future.”

Success reflects team's 'dedication, passion, professionalism and teamwork'

Professor Michaela Rankin, Head of the Department of Accounting, praised the students’ performance.

“It was wonderful to see members of the Xi Epsilon Chapter representing Monash Business School on the global stage, joining over 880 students, faculty advisors and professionals across four days of connection, learning, and sharing insights into the fantastic ways these students contribute to the profession and community,” Professor Rankin said.

“I am incredibly proud of the Xi Epsilon Monash University team. Their dedication, passion, professionalism and teamwork was on show throughout the event.”

Academic advisor Daniela Juric said it had been a rewarding year, with the chapter also recognised as the Oceania regional winners of the PRME Sustainability Award at the United Nations headquarters in New York in May.

“Our consistent success reflects the dedication of our student leaders and the way the chapter has continued to evolve over the past six years,” Dr Juric said.

“We’re looking forward to using our collective skills to keep making an impact in the community, particularly through our work with Mums Supporting Families in Need. I am really fortunate that I get to do this with this awesome set of students.”

The Xi Epsilon chapter, part of the international Beta Alpha Psi network for high-performing students in accounting, finance and business information systems, was established at Monash in 2017. Since then, it has grown into a dynamic, student-led organisation that connects academic learning with real-world impact.

Learn more about Monash Business School’s Beta Alpha Psi - Xi Epsilon chapter

Learn more about Monash Business School’s Department of Accounting