UAB Black Student Accountants Place First Nationally

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) has been ranked first by the association in its Division I classification.

Posted on August 7, 2001 at 2:19 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) has been ranked first by the association in its Division I classification.

The UAB chapter was presented with its award at NABA’s 30th annual convention in Dallas, July 10-14. Student chapter president, Esau Mengich, 28, of Eldoret, Kenya, Africa, and treasurer Cassandra Weatherly, 23, of Alberta, represented UAB at the convention. This was only the second time the UAB chapter entered the competition and its first win.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work the students put into the UAB NABA chapter,” said accounting professor Murat Tanju, Ph.D., chapter advisor. “The students work diligently throughout the year, not only in their studies, but also to educate their peers and others about accounting. Their dedication to the community, especially through community service activities and tax-preparation assistance, is proof of the excellent student body UAB has to offer the workforce in coming years.”

The NABA award is based on points earned throughout the year by each chapter according to its activities. UAB’s chapter hosted numerous events, including aiding the public with tax preparation for several weeks prior to the April 15 filing deadline and inviting speakers on campus to speak to student groups on accounting and financial issues. Chapter members also participated in community service activities such as volunteering their time and efforts in enriching the lives of children at a local YMCA.

Additionally, Cassandra Weatherly was on a team of six students at the convention that placed second in an accounting case study event sponsored by Deloitte & Touche. The students were given actual cases that Deloitte & Touche auditors worked.

The students audited a company’s plant to see if severance charges were correctly recorded and the students were required to document their findings. The team that presented their findings the most creative way and correctly, won. Four certified public accountants from Deloitte & Touche judged the competition. Weatherly’s team received $1,500 from Deloitte & Touche as a reward for coming in second.

The UAB student chapter of NABA has 26 members from various majors in the UAB School of Business.