CWU Students Win Prestigious Tax Competition

March 30, 2005

Contact: Frederick McDonald (509-963-3024/fax 509-963-2875/e-mail: mcdonalf@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the second straight year, Central Washington University accounting students have demonstrated their skills at the University of Washington Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) Tax Competition. After placing third a year ago, CWU won the 7th annual competition this year, becoming the first non-UW team to take the title.

The team was comprised of senior accounting majors: David Angotti, Yakima; Becky Beach, Walla Walla; Hannah Moore, Moses Lake; and Mary Weaver, Forks, who is also a member of the university's William O. Douglas Honors College.

Along with Central's three teams and seven from UW, and three from Walla Walla College participated in this year's challenge.

During the first day of the two-day competition, teams were given a tax scenario and four hours to prepare a return based on it. A team of judges reviewed the returns and scored them, in part, on how well the teams document their thought process.

The top four scoring teams continued to second-day competition, where they were given a second case study. However, for day two, they had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and make a 35-minute presentation to mock clients.

The winning CWU team received a $2,000 cash prize.