Harbert College’s chapter of the Beta Alpha Psi honorary earned “Superior” status for 2013-14 from the international organization for aspiring accounting individuals.

The School of Accountancy’s 138-member Epsilon Omicron exceeded Beta Alpha Psi’s national standards for good standing. Chapters are graded based on service hours per chapter member, professional development meetings, presentations at regional and national meetings, and hosting special events such as “Meet The Firms,” where dozens of accounting employers (Beta Alpha Psi sponsors) recruit students for internships and full-time positions.

Of the roughly 300 active chapters nationally, less than half achieved Superior status.

“It’s like being over-achievers,” said Colby Lakas, Harbert College’s Beta Alpha Psi faculty sponsor. “We’re not just meeting the bare minimum for existing as a Beta Alpha Psi chapter -- we’re going above and beyond.

“This honor tells our students that they can be proud to be an Auburn Beta Alpha Psi member because the organization has recognized Auburn as being in this top tier of chapters nationally. For us to be specifically named as being outstanding, that’s a great thing. I also think it gives our employers a lot of confidence in what we do. It’s not one of those honor societies that you just pay a fee and you put it on your résumé.”

Instead, juniors and seniors earn their way into Beta Alpha Psi by having grade point averages of 3.0 or above overall, in their respective major, and in upper-level accounting courses.

“Students are placed on membership lists that are then distributed to the sponsoring employers,” Lakas added. “The employers, because there is a GPA requirement in Beta Alpha Psi, prioritize recruiting Beta Alpha Psi students. The employers obtain these lists each semester and waste no time in reaching out to those students for events they host on campus.”

Auburn’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter, founded in 1978, is designed to: 1) help students build their professional skills; 2) foster interest in current career topics by connecting academic preparation with the practice of accounting; 3) provide an avenue for students to build relationships with accounting professionals; and 4) instill a lifelong commitment to serve.

For more information about the chapter, contact Colby Lakas at (334) 844-6253 or Colby.lakas@auburn.edu