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Objectives of the Program for Chapter Activities
Beta Alpha Psi Policies
Professional Nature
No Alcohol Policy
No Solicitation PolicyChapter Achievement Levels
Recognitions for Award-Seeking ChapterChapter Requirements
Minimum Activities Required Based on Chapter Achievement Level
Additional Activities Required for Award Seeking Chapters
Beginning of Year Report
Candidates
Initiation
End of Year Report
National/Regional Activities
Professional Activities
Service Activities
Non-Beta Alpha Psi ActivitiesReporting Activities to Executive Office
Exhibit A: National/Regional Activities
Exhibit B: Professional Activities
INTRODUCTION
Beta Alpha Psi is a nonprofit international honorary and service organization for accounting, finance, and information systems students at AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited universities. Beta Alpha Psi provides opportunities for development of technical and professional skills to complement university education; participation in community service; and interaction among students, faculty, and professionals.OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM FOR CHAPTER ACTIVITIES
The Program for Chapter Activities (PCA) serves as a guide to each chapter in planning its own programs and activities. The chapter programs and activities should reflect each chapter's unique student membership and environment. If Beta Alpha Psi's objectives are to be achieved, each chapter must conduct a program that will encourage eligible students to join the chapter and actively and enthusiastically participate in its activities. The chapter's activity plan should be carefully thought out and implemented to assure the achievement of both the Beta Alpha Psi's and the chapter's stated objectives.The Program for Chapter Activities establishes guidelines for a minimum level of chapter activity as well as guidelines for chapters who seek recognition for outstanding performance. In addition, the Program for Chapter Activities incorporates features designed to:
- Encourage chapters to fulfill the objectives of Beta Alpha Psi and prepare members for careers as financial information professionals,
- Identify chapters needing assistance from Directors-at-Large and Advisory Forum members, and
- Recognize chapters that excel in serving their members, campus, community, and/or profession.
The program of Chapter Activities applies to both current and petitioning chapters. Petitioning chapters are eligible for award status.
In keeping with the professional nature of Beta Alpha Psi, the Board of Directors requires adherence to the policy that no national, regional or local chapter activity has content that is demeaning or derogatory to any individual or group of individuals.
Beta Alpha Psi prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages at any meetings, functions, or events that are sponsored, co-sponsored, publicized, or otherwise endorsed by Beta Alpha Psi.
The prohibition of alcohol applies to the following:
- Chapter meetings, regional and annual meetings, and all other meetings/programs of Beta Alpha Psi;
- All alcoholic products whether provided by the chapter, by a speaker or external organization, or whether available at a charge to members and/or guests. This prohibition includes events that are co-sponsored with another organization.
Violation of this policy will result in forfeiture of award-status for the year or probation and/or possible other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors.
Chapter activities may not be used as a conduit for the sale of products or services to students. Recruiting activities are included in this policy. Persons should not be asked to participate in a chapter activity if their participation is primarily promotional in nature. Any presentation of an examination review program by a representative of a provider of review services is considered promotional in nature. However, a presentation regarding the content or preparation for a professional exam is acceptable. Any chapter event (other than a Meet the Firms activity) at which the chapter permits the solicitation of its members to purchase products or services will result in the event being assigned no credit in any category of the Program for Chapter Activities.
In planning for each year, a chapter should organize activities to meet the requirements of one of the following chapter achievement levels:
Chapters striving for the distinguished and superior levels are considered award seeking-chapters.
- Mission based chapter
- Distinguished chapter
- Superior chapter
RECOGNITIONS FOR AWARD-SEEKING CHAPTERS
Annually, BAP recognizes chapters for outstanding achievement as follows:
- Superior Chapters will receive a financial award contributed by the KPMG Foundation and a recognition plaque or plate.
- Distinguished Chapters will be recognized by Beta Alpha Psi.
- The Most Improved Chapter will receive a $500 Nancy Harke Award. Significantly improved chapters will also be recognized but will not receive a financial award.
- Best Practices Awards sponsored by Deloitte will be given each year based on criteria established by the Board of Directors.
- Ernst & Young will provide an annual award of $1,000 for up to ten chapters who have made an impact on “diversity” within Beta Alpha Psi and/or their respective school/community.
Chapters must meet certain requirements depending upon the desired achievement level. The requirements include submission of reports, initiation, national/regional activities, professional activities and service activities. Chapters not meeting the mission based requirements will be placed on probation for the subsequent year.
A summary of the required activities by achievement level follows:
Minimum Activities Required Based on Chapter Achievement Level
Chapter Achievement Level Beginning of Year Report Initiation End of Year Report National Regional Activities Professional Activities Service Activities Mission Based Yes Yes Yes 3 6 1 Distinguished Yes Yes Yes 5 6 1 Superior Yes Yes Yes 8 6 1 To qualify as a professional or service activity, the event must be at least 50 minutes in length and at least 25% of the chapter's active members/candidates for the month must participate in the event.
To qualify as a superior or distinguished chapter, there are also individual member/ candidate professional and service hour requirements. These requirements are designed to encourage involvement of Beta Alpha Psi members and candidates in professional and community service activities, not only as a chapter but also individually.
Additional Activities Required for Award Seeking Chapters
Chapter Achievement Level Minimum Hours* of Professional Activities
(per Member/Candidate)Minimum Hours* of Service Activities
(per Member/Candidate)Total Required Hours* of Professional and Service Activities
(per Member/Candidate)Distinguished 8 8 20 Superior 12 12 32 Under the Program of Chapter Activities, an hour consists of 50 minutes. For example, an activity that lasts 60 minutes will be awarded 1.2 hours of credit under the PCA.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters must submit the Beginning-of-the-Year Report by October 15.
To complete this report, go to the “Enter Beginning of Year Report” tab in the reporting intranet and:
- Update the Chapter Profile. This section lists current officers, Faculty Advisor, and other information.
- Enter the Plan of Activities, including dates and programs (either planned or anticipated) detailing the chapter's plan for fulfilling the mission based activities.
- If the chapter by-laws have changed from the previous year, attach a copy of the revised by-laws. If the bylaws have not changed, click on “No Changes Needed.”
- Mail a check for the annual maintenance fee (made payable to Beta Alpha Psi) to the Executive Office. The Executive Office will check off this box when the check is received.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
Candidates should be entered into the reporting intranet on a monthly basis. Within 60 days of a candidate being entered into the system, the chapter must pay a one-time, non-refundable fee of $55 to the Executive Office. The check should be made payable to Beta Alpha Psi and include the chapter number on the check. A list of individuals for whom the check relates should accompany the check. For payments made after 60 days, a late fee of $20 per candidate will be charged.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters must hold at least one new member initiation, officer election and installation event each year. The official ceremony should be followed. Each initiate must be present at the initiation ceremony. Initiations "in absentia" will only be allowed under extreme circumstances approved by the Board President. After the initiation, go to “Report Activity>Initiation” in the reporting intranet and enter the initiation date and the number of initiates.
Second Initiation: A second initiation qualifies as a national/regional activity.
When a candidate is initiated, the student should be moved from candidate to initiate status on the reporting intranet. This will serve as notification to Executive Office to print membership certificates. If the chapter wants to receive membership certificates in time for the ceremony, Executive Office must be notified at least three weeks prior to initiation
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters must prepare and submit an End of Year Report by June 1. To complete this report, go to the “Enter End of Year Report” tab in the reporting intranet and:
- Update the Chapter Profile
- Attach the chapter’s Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities. See the Financial Reporting Guide for more information. These statements may be attached in Word, Excel or pdf format.
- Complete the Faculty Advisory Sign-Off. (This must be completed by the Faculty Advisor, logged in under his/her password.) This sign-off requires the Faculty Advisor to:
- Verify the Non-Beta Alpha Psi hours reported by the Chapter
- Complete the tax information, which includes an authorization to include your chapter in a group exemption. If you indicate that your chapter had average gross receipts (for the past three years) > $25,000, you must also download the IRS Form 990, complete it, scan it and attach it.
- Complete the financial statement sign-off. If you indicate that your chapter had gross receipts > $100,000 for the past year, you must also attach an auditor’s report. See the Financial Reporting Guide for more information.
- Submit the entire sign-off
In order to qualify as an award chapter, all required chapter reporting must be completed by June 1. Only under extreme circumstances will exceptions be considered by the Board.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters must participate in national/regional activities during the year. The following activities are required, depending on the chapter’s achievement level:
Mission Based 3 activities Distinguished 5 activities Superior 8 activities See Exhibit A for more detailed information regarding national/regional activities.
Chapters domiciled outside the continental United States may request permission from the Director of Chapter Activities to substitute other activities for the national/regional activities listed above. The maximum number of allowed substitutions will be:
Mission Based Distinguished Superior Chapters should update the “Report Activity>National/Regional Activities” section on the reporting intranet by December 15 and June 1. Even though more than one chapter member may attend an event, such as a Regional Meeting, only one credit is received for the national/regional activity. Most activities also result in participation minutes for the individual(s) attending the event. These minutes should be recorded in the chapter workbook.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters, regardless of achievement level, must report at least six professional activities during the year that meet the following requirements:
- at least 25% of the active members/candidates for the month attend the event, and
- the event must be at least 1 hour (50 minutes) in duration.
These activities must be reported on the “Report Activity>Professional and Service Activity>Mission-Based Activities” section on the reporting intranet.
Chapters seeking to achieve Distinguished or Superior award levels must also report a minimum number of professional activity hours per active member/candidate. Distinguished chapters must report 8 hours per member/candidate and Superior chapters must report 12 hours per member/candidate. Although there is a minimum number of 8 and 12 hours respectively in the professional and service categories, the total number of hours must be 20 and 32.
The time for a professional activity consists of the professional part of the presentation—the speaker and questions and answers related to the presentation. A chapter business meeting (orientation, officer elections) does not count as a professional meeting unless there is a professional program, in which case only the professional portion of the program receives credit.
Exhibit B provides examples of professional activities and professional meeting topics.
All student presentations, including those made at annual and regional meetings, as well as at chapter meetings, will earn professional hours for the length of the session. In addition, credit for two times the length of the presentation will be granted to the individual presenter for professional development time.
A chapter may report up to two social activities with professionals per year as professional activities. The activity time is limited to 1 hour (50 minutes) per individual per activity. Chapter socials involving only chapter members/candidates are not eligible for credit.
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters, regardless of achievement level, must report one service activity during the year that meets the following requirements:
- Participation by at least 25% of the active members/candidates for the month, and
- the activity must be at least 1 hour (50 minutes) in duration.
These activities must be reported on the “Report Activity>Professional and Service Activity>Mission-Based Activities” section on the reporting intranet.
Chapters seeking Distinguished or Superior award levels must also report a minimum number of service hours per member/candidate. Distinguished chapters must report 8 hours per member/candidate and Superior chapters must report 12 hours per member/candidate. Although there is a minimum number of 8 and 12 hours respectively in the professional and service categories, the total number of hours must be 20 and 32.
To be reported as a service activity sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi, the event either (1) must be organized and carried out by the Beta Alpha Psi chapter or (2) must involve participation by the members of the Beta Alpha Psi chapter as a group (in which case the chapter has agreed to participate as a chapter and has promoted participation in the event). Any money received from a service activity must be donated to a charitable organization or used for a charitable cause. Activities for which members receive course credit are not considered service activities.
A definition and examples of service activities are provided in Exhibit C.
At the individual level, chapters may report a maximum of five hours per year (per student) of professional activities and a maximum of five hours per year (per student) of service activities that are not sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi. These hours should be reported as a single professional or service activity on the mid-year and/or end-of-year workbook. Chapters must retain detailed information regarding the non-Beta Alpha Psi activities until October 1 of the following year.
REPORTING ACTIVITIES TO EXECUTIVE OFFICE
- See Tutorial for information on entering report into the reporting intranet.
All chapters are required to report four times during the year:
Beginning of year report Due October 15 Activity reports Due December 15 and June 1 Year-end report Due June 1 Activities occurring in May can be reported in either the current year or the following year. If May activities are reported in the following year, the activity should be reported with a June 1 date.
Exhibit A
National/Regional ActivitiesChapters should update the “Report Activity>National/Regional Activities” section on the reporting intranet by December 15 and June 1. Even though more than one chapter member may attend an event, such as a Regional Meeting, only one credit is received for the national/regional activity.
National/regional activities include the following:
Sponsored by Executive Office
- Annual Community Service Day Attendance – minutes should also be recorded in workbook
- Annual Meeting Attendance – minutes should also be recorded in workbook
- Annual Meeting Presentation – minutes should also be recorded in workbook and may include preparation time and presentation time
- Nomination for Alumni Representative – nomination form should be downloaded from Beta Alpha Psi web site and uploaded to reporting intranet by May 1
- Nomination for Business Information Professional of the Year - nomination form should be downloaded from Beta Alpha Psi web site and uploaded to reporting intranet by May 1
- Regional Leadership Conference Attendance – minutes should also be recorded in workbook
- Regional Meeting Attendance – minutes should also be recorded in workbook
- Regional Meeting Presentation – minutes should also be recorded in workbook and may include preparation time and presentation time
Sponsored by Chapter
- Formalized Alumni Activity - A major event to promote communication between alumni and their alma mater. This event should involve participation of at least 25% of the current chapter membership as well as a significant number of alumni.
- Minority Recruitment Event (may report 2 per year) - Presenting career information to minority groups or engaging in activities oriented toward the retention of minority students. For purposes of this section minorities are those who are under-represented in the accounting, finance and information systems, i.e., Native Americans, Hispanics, and Black Americans. The career orientation program(s) or activities should be directed toward minority students at the high school level or undecided minority university students. Career materials are available from a variety of professional organizations. These presentations are intended to be in the nature of group sessions. Booths at career fairs, activity fairs, "rush" events, or regular chapter meetings do not count in this category. Other possible projects include special tutoring sessions solely for minority students, counseling sessions, mentoring programs exclusively for minority students, transition year counseling, and other types of activities oriented toward retention.
- Participation in Ernst &Young Diversity Award - Chapters that submit both abstracts (December and June) in the Ernst & Young Diversity award program will receive credit for a minority recruitment event.
- Multi-Chapter Event - A professional or service activity co-sponsored with another Beta Alpha Psi chapter. In order to promote interaction between chapters, this co-sponsored event should involve at least 25% of each chapter’s current membership
- Promoting Careers in Accounting/Finance/Information systems (may report 2 per year) - Career orientations related to accounting, finance and information systems to: pre-decision college students, college students from other majors, or junior high and high school students. Beta Alpha Psi events or programs presented to prospective Beta Alpha Psi candidates which are designed primarily to promote the areas of accounting, finance, and information systems to undecided students but have as a secondary effect promoting Beta Alpha Psi are acceptable. Beta Alpha Psi orientation sessions for members/candidates do not qualify.
- Second initiation – First initiation should be reported at “Report Activity>Initiation” in the reporting intranet and second initiation should be reported as a national/regional activity
Exhibit B
Professional ActivitiesExamples of Professional Activities include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Chapter professional meetings
- Joint meetings with professional organizations
- Joint meetings with on-campus organizations
- Local seminars/workshops (but not those involving “paid” tuition)
- Field trips
- Meet-the-Firms Night or Activity (must be a single event where multiple firms are represented and purpose is provide a significant number of students with information about various firms and industries. This should not be strictly a recruiting event.)
- Publications (articles or newsnotes for national or alumni newsletter; copy of publication must be submitted for credit)
- Executive-in-Residence/Professor-for-a-Day programs (time based upon the time a member/candidate attends sessions “taught” by the guest)
- Entering resumes into the resume database—individual credit of 1 hour (50 minutes) for each member/candidate resume entered
- Mock interview activity (must be an event where multiple firms are represented and all member/candidates are eligible to participate. This should not be a recruiting event.)
- Social activities with professionals – up to two activities per year with a maximum time of 1 hour (50 minutes) per activity
Credit is not given for candidate “rushes”, orientation meetings, organizational meetings, chapter business/planning meetings, initiation and similar activities that provide no professional component.
Examples of Professional Meeting Topics/Activities
Audit of chapter financial statements Improving communication skills Business practice in (name of country) E-commerce Developing leadership skills Time management Ethics Stress management International accounting The paperless audit Marketing business services Professional liability Internet for financial information research Comparing different career paths Management of accounting / consulting practice Analyzing financial statements Derivatives and other financial instruments Advantages of graduate education Use of computer software Fraud detection Deregulation New tax law Investments Implementing new systems Off balance sheet risk Going public (IPOs) Internships Etiquette Resumes Dress for success Corporate finance Systems development Creating a web page Forensic accounting Not-for-profit accounting Interviewing skills Golf tournament with prof. (social activity) Softball game with prof. (social activity) Legislative changes impacting business
Exhibit C
Service ActivitiesSince part of the mission of Beta Alpha Psi is to foster enthusiasm for service, chapters are encouraged to participate in campus and community service activities. The service category is intended to be flexible and adaptable to the needs and desires of individual chapters.
Service is the giving of one’s time, energy and talents to benefit either the campus or local community. Community service involves making a difference to these entities through the actions of caring for others by the chapter and/or its members and includes direct service or indirect service. Direct service means becoming actively involved with a community group or organization (either on or off campus). Indirect service means providing help or resources through a “round-about” approach and includes preparation time for charitable events, raising funds for charity, or assisting with “back office” functions such as accounting or computer systems. In evaluating community service, we suggest that the chapter consider the following questions.
In evaluating community service, we suggest that the chapter consider the following questions.
How does this activity benefit the member/candidate?
How does this activity benefit the organization/individual(s) being assisted?
Why are we (am I) doing this?Activities that do not constitute community service include assisting friends or family or volunteering to participate in events where the underlying purpose is recruitment. Any money received from a service activity must be donated to a charitable organization or used for a charitable cause. Activities for which members receive course credit are not considered service activities.
Examples of Service Activities
Habitat for Humanity Recordings for the Blind Big Brothers/Big Sisters Junior Achievement Fund raising projects for charity University telethons Food drives Adopt-a-highway, Adopt-a-trail, Adopt-a-family Service activities sponsored by religious organization Blood drives Walk-a-thons, bowl-a-thons, etc. Coaching youth teams Assisting the Career Placement Office with a Career Fair Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – Training time should be counted as professional hours. Tax preparation time should be counted as service hours. At the end of the VITA program, you should download the VITA Reporting Form and submit per the instructions on the form. Proctoring exams for department (for example, proctoring a common final at the end of the semester, not proctoring an exam for an individual professor) Host Annual Meeting, Community Service Day, Regional Meeting or Leadership Conference – Hours will be determined by the Director of Chapter Activities and Meeting Chair, Director-at-Large and/or sponsoring University Tutoring sessions - group, e-mail, or one on one - without monetary compensation. Tutoring sessions count if the sessions were scheduled and are documented, regardless of whether anyone attends. Please report this activity as a single service activity on the mid-year and/or end-of-year workbook Consultation with campus or off-campus organizations about tax matters, bookkeeping, information systems, or other work of a technical nature Mentoring of other chapters (a chapter must receive pre-approval of its Director-at-Large) Create/update chapter web page (to a maximum of 10 hours for creating and 3 hours for updating) Officers and committee chairs for a chapter may receive up to 100 hours for their time providing service to the chapter. A maximum of 10 hours each may be reported for up to 10 officers and committee chairs. Please report this at the end of each semester or at the end of the year on a single report. The limit of 10 is for the year, not by semester or quarter.
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