Sadie Bull – Contributor

Bishop’s University nabbed third place at Achieve 2026, a prestigious conference hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University. The two day event earlier in the semester consisted of networking, workshops and case cutting that focused on the theme of “Uncovering Tax Fraud”. 

The competition brought together undergraduate accounting students from universities across Canada to present their recommendations on areas of taxation, auditing, financial planning and consulting to a panel of judges that work locally in the field of accounting. 11 teams were evaluated on their technical accounting knowledge, analytical depth, clarity of presentation, and ability to respond to judges’ questions. 

Representing Bishop’s were eight students from the Williams School of Business, on two teams, one consisting of third year students (Team B) and the other composed of students in their final semester (Team A). These students spent several weeks preparing for the competition under the guidance of coaches Brandon Siu, TJ Smith, and Vicky Rodrigue. On the day of competition, teams were given 60 minutes to identify assessment opportunities, structure ideas, form decisions and craft powerpoints to present to the judges. The competition’s challenging format consists of a 15 minute presentation followed by an extensive question period. Bishop’s team members dissected the case’s potential fraud causes, cost structure, and risk exposure, delivering a presentation that balanced technical rigor with practical implications for the hypothetical clients. Both teams impressed the judges with their skills, but ultimately it was team B chosen as finalists and who later achieved a podium finish. The team members all attributed the successful outcome to the dedication of coach Brandon Siu who volunteered countless hours and truly went above and beyond. 

“The opportunity to participate and strengthen my accounting skills alongside my peers, gave me hands-on experience to confirm that a career in accounting is the right path for me” said third year student Marie-Claude Laliberte, a member of team B. Participation in national competitions also provides students with valuable networking opportunities and exposure to industry expectations.The third place finish reflects the growing strength of the accounting department for the William’s School of Business. As Bishop’s continues to encourage experiential learning beyond the classroom, achievements like this serve as a testament to the dedication of its students and faculty alike. The university’s strong showing at Toronto Metropolitan University underscores Bishop’s presence on the national accounting stage and sets a promising tone for future competitions.