EIU Media Relations

EIU Accounting Challenge Set for April 9

Eastern Illinois University's accountancy program, offered through the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Science, will hold its third annual high school Accounting Challenge on Wednesday, April 9.

More than 240 students from 19 participating high schools are expected to attend this year's event, set to begin at 8:30 a.m. in the University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union.  A campus tour will be offered to participants at 11 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 12:45 p.m.

The Challenge is an event featuring both individual and team academic competition in the study of accounting for high school students.  During the course of the day, a variety of other presentations and events occur, including the tour of the EIU campus, presentations from EIU accounting students, and special presentations from accounting professionals from regional firms and the Illinois CPA Society.

"The Accounting Challenge is a great opportunity for students to participate in a stimulating intellectual exercise, get introduced to the collegiate environment, obtain recognition for their efforts to master the discipline of accounting, and have some fun," said Richard J. Palmer, director of Eastern's accountancy program.

He added that there are "new and better incentives for the students and schools" in this year's contest.

The individuals with the highest three scores on the Challenge exam will receive $1,500, $1,000 and $500 scholarships, respectively, to major in accounting at EIU.  The schools with the three highest average team scores on the Challenge exam will receive $250, $150 and $100 awards, respectively.  Plaques will be given to first through fifth place in both the individual and team categories.

"The Accounting Challenge has succeeded because of the support of the area high school teachers who want to open their students' minds to great possibilities," Palmer continued.  "We are particularly honored by their participation, and pleased that we can support them by way of this contest."

Participating high schools are Casey/Westfield, Dieterich, Kansas, Neoga, Oakwood, Windsor, Danville, Flora, Heritage, Lovington, Marshall, Martinsville, Monticello, Newton, Ramsey, Rantoul, St. Joseph, Teutopolis and Vandalia.