YSU accounting students place in top three in debut at intercollegiate ethics competition

Accounting majors from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration earned top recognition in their first appearance at the CSU/IIA Intercollegiate Ethics Case Competition.

The competition was the largest in the event’s history, featuring 11 teams from 10 universities. Hosted by Cleveland State University in partnership with the Institute of Internal Auditors, the event challenges students to analyze complex ethical dilemmas and present their recommendations to panels of accounting professionals.

This year’s case focused on the ethical implications of private equity in the accounting and audit profession, requiring students to apply professional judgment, technical expertise and critical thinking to an issue of growing relevance in the field.

YSU was represented by two teams of accounting majors:

Team One 

• Deepika Pandey 
• Harrison Miller 
• Brianna K. Randall 

Team Two 

• Violet Puin 
• Godfrey Zvinavashe 
• Samir Ghimire

Team Two won its bracket and placed third overall, with both teams earning cash prizes for their performance.

“Working through the case study highlighted how important professional judgment and critical thinking are in business,” Puin said. “Not every answer is black and white, and learning about private equity in the audit space from real professionals showed me how valuable ethical principles are in accounting. It helped me understand how real-world issues can shape my future career and how essential it is to stay informed about current developments.”

The event also featured networking sessions with accounting professionals from national and regional firms, along with a keynote address by the chief ethics officer of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. The speaker emphasized the importance of ethical leadership in today’s evolving business environment.

Faculty advisers Erica Neuman and Jessie Wright of the Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance prepared the students for the competition. WCBA leaders said the teams’ strong debut reflects both the quality of the accounting program and the college’s commitment to experiential learning.

Through opportunities such as the competition, the Williamson College of Business Administration connects classroom learning with professional practice while preparing students to lead with integrity in the accounting profession.