Two UPEI business graduates receive top prizes in national competition
Two business graduates, Janell MacDonald and Kristina MacLean, placed first and second, respectively in the 2012 Estey Undergraduate Student Paper Competition, hosted by the University of Waterloo's Centre for Accounting Ethics.
After three blind reviews, the national competition rated MacDonald's paper, 'Microfinance in the Modern World,' as the best in the nation. Her paper focused on ethical issues surrounding microfinance, specifically in developing nations. The major issues were related to transparency (fees for the individual), excessive interest rates, and group lending practices. MacDonald was awarded a $500 cash prize and the opportunity to present her paper to accounting faculty from across the country at the Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA) annual meeting.
MacLean's paper, 'Women in Accounting: Ethical Issues Surrounding the Advancement of Female Accountants,' was selected second in the nation and received Honourable Mention. As a female pursuing a career in accounting, MacLean wanted to explore why there are so few female partners in the profession. Her paper discussed various ethical issues that may inhibit female accountants from advancing to the top of the profession. She also analyzed other potential factors that could contribute to the phenomenon.
'It was such an honour to place 2nd in this national competition,' said MacLean. 'Janell and I had an extraordinary year-placing 1st and 2nd at the Estey Undergraduate Essay Competition is really the 'icing on the cake' to an incredible year at UPEI.'
MacLean was asked to present her paper at the 2012 CAAA Annual Conference on June 3, as MacDonald is in Kenya volunteering this summer.
The students originally wrote their winning papers for Amy MacFarlane, Assistant Professor in UPEI's School of Business' fourth-year class. MacFarlane was thrilled to learn of their national success. 'Both Janell and Kristina are incredibly special and talented students, and I am very proud of their accomplishments (on top of all their other accolades!),' she said. 'They diligently worked on editing and finalizing their papers while out in British Columbia at their case competition... just to give you an idea of their commitment and incredible work ethic.'
MacDonald and MacLean competed together on the UPEI case team that placed 1st at the IIBD Case Competition in Hong Kong and 2nd at the Royal Roads University International Undergraduate Case Competition in British Columbia.
