AICPA Honors Fadi Shamoun with Beta Alpha Psi’s Medal of Inspiration Award

Contact 
Lauren Peck
919-402-4681
lpeck@bap.org 

Published July 13. 2021

Durham, NC. (July 13, 2021) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is pleased to announce Fadi Shamoun, an undergraduate student at the Swinburne University of Technology, has been awarded Beta Alpha Psi’s (BAP) Medal of Inspiration Award.

The award, sponsored by the AICPA, is given to a Beta Alpha Psi student member who has experienced extreme hardships and demonstrated an unusually high level of success despite that adversity. The award, which was presented during the Beta Alpha Psi virtual Annual Meeting, includes a $5,000 cash stipend.

“Fadi demonstrated perseverance and dedication to his educational goals despite challenges which makes him a fitting recipient of this award,” said Anna Howard, Senior Manager of Academic Initiatives, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants representing AICPA & CIMA.

In 2013, as a young high school student in Iraq, Fadi dreamt becoming an accountant when he grew up. Unfortunately, political unrest and instability in many areas of Iraq forced Fadi and his family to move to Turkey in hopes for a safer environment. With little resources, Fadi was not able to attend or finish high school in Turkey. He made the difficult choice to leave his family and friends and moved to Australia. With the limited financial resources on his own, Fadi pursued remedial courses and was able to obtain a certificate in accounting. 

However, Fadi knew that in order to seek employment with a professional accounting firm, he needed to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Despite financial struggles and not being a native English speaker, Fadi applied for and received several awards and scholarships to enroll in a three-year university to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

Through the process, Fadi remained dedicated to his goals and overcame adversity of poverty, depression and cultural barriers. The student awards and scholarships he received were a lifeline to the future he had always dreamed of. 

“The Medal of Inspiration award is designed to recognize a BAP member who achieves despite extreme hardship and challenges. Fadi exemplifies the spirit of what this award celebrates. He has experienced war, lack of access to education and economic challenges in his home country. He was willing to leave family and move to another continent to pursue his dream of becoming an accountant. Despite having to support himself while attending school, Fadi has established an exemplary academic record. BAP is proud to have Fadi as a member and we congratulate him on this award,” said Rita Grant, Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors President.

About Beta Alpha Psi

Founded in 1919, Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization for financial information students and professionals. The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service, and association among members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

Headquartered in Durham, NC, Beta Alpha Psi has over 300 chapters on college and university campuses in the United States, Australia and New Zealand with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi's formation.

About the American Institute of CPAs

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 429,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives professional competency development to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is the most influential body of professional accountants, combining the strengths of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to power opportunity, trust and prosperity for people, businesses and economies worldwide. It represents 657,000 members and students across 179 countries and territories in public and management accounting and advocates for the public interest and business sustainability on current and emerging issues. With broad reach, rigor and resources, the Association advances the reputation, employability and quality of CPAs, CGMAs and accounting and finance professionals globally.

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