Accounting and Information Systems students win Goodman Challenge

A team of students from Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business won this year's Goodman Accounting Challenge, sponsored by regional public accounting firm Goodman and Company.

The competition challenges students to research and present solutions to accounting problems and questions that arise in public accounting practice. A total of 21 teams from universities in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina competed in the initial round, said John Brozovsky, an associate professor of accounting and information systems who advised the Virginia Tech team.

The Virginia Tech team was comprised of:

Chris Benton, of Forest; Va., a senior majoring in accounting and information systems;

Paul Demeré, of Blacksburg, a sophomore majoring in accounting and information systems;

Eric Gravil, of Winchester, Va., a senior majoring in accounting and information systems; and

Jonathan Motley, of Chesapeake, Va., a senior majoring in accounting and information systems.

Each team worked on a preliminary set of questions at their home campuses, Brozovsky said. The top four teams were then selected to compete in the final round, held recently at Goodman's headquarters in Norfolk. The Virginia Tech students each won $250 for themselves and $2,500 for their department. The firm created the competition to promote integrity of the accounting profession and to recognize outstanding accounting students.