University of Maryland Wins KPMG Case Study Competition

The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business has won the 2014 KPMG/NABA Case Study Competition. The award, presented by Big Four audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG and the National Association of Black Accountants was presented during a two-day event held during the annual NABA Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C. last week.

Jun. 24, 2014

The competition involved 12 teams representing universities with NABA chapters from across the United States and focused on critical thinking and presentation skills. The four teams with the top scores after the first round competed again in the final round. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was the runner-up.

“The KPMG/NABA Case Study Competition provides participants with an opportunity to develop and showcase skills that they'll use throughout their careers on a daily basis,” said Reggie Reed, a KPMG Audit partner who served as one of the competition's judges. “Companies operate in an increasingly complex and global environment, so the ability to think critically, assess risk, and have a global perspective are important traits that organizations like KPMG are looking for in recruits.”

Each team identified and analyzed the issues associated with an MBA-level case study. The students then presented recommendations that incorporated their knowledge of the current global marketplace, giving consideration to cultural, economic, political and other factors that would impact a successful implementation.

“KPMG is an organization that's committed to diversity and inclusion and we're pleased to continue to collaborate with them on this competition,” said Kenneth E. Cooke, CPA and Chairman of the Board, NABA, Inc. “The KPMG/NABA Case Study Competition gives our NABA chapter students a chance to take what they've learned on campus and apply it in a real-world, professional scenario — it's gratifying to see how they rise to the challenge.”