Being A Beta Alpha Psi Professional Partner

Firm Recognition

• Participation in at least two Regional meetings (all Firms/Associations)
• Only Professional Partner members are allowed to present or moderate a professional session and/or judge an event.  Provides direct interaction with students and increases company/firm recognition.  Over 1,700 students and professors attend the regional meetings.
• State CPA Societies participate in regional meeting associated with their state
• Participation at Annual meeting
• Only Professional Partner members are allowed to present or moderate a professional session and/or judge an event.  Professional Partners are permitted to reach out to their firm’s network to help fill professional session speakers.  Provides direct interaction with students and increases company/firm recognition.  Over 1,200 students and professors attend the annual meeting.
• Several sessions at the annual meeting are for professors only and allow Professional Partner members to have direct interaction with faculty advisors.
• Website recognition and link to firm/company/association/society site.
• Right of first refusal for annual meeting sponsorship opportunities.
• Recognition in BAP Annual Report and BAP Annual Meeting Program.
• Recognition from the podium and onscreen at the Annual Meeting and Regional Meetings as well as on table tent card.
• Attend joint meeting with the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting to provide advice and input regarding the direction of the organization.

Shape Future of BAP

• Be a sounding board for BAP Board of Directors

Assist Student BAP members

• Educate about careers, organizations and resources available to help them prosper after graduation.

Note: Professional Partner Members are prohibited from recruiting for or promoting (marketing) of your firm/organization at regional/national meetings.  These activities are reserved for exhibit opportunities at the annual meeting only.  Associations/State Societies are allowed to promote membership at regional meetings as a direct benefit to student members.

Members of the Beta Alpha Psi Professional Partners financially support BAP through annual member fees which subsidize the Regional and Annual meetings each year.  Additionally, individual BAP Professional Partner representatives utilize their personal networks to secure speakers for these meetings, or their personal knowledge and expertise to deliver professional session content.  Representatives function as judges for the annual Best Practices competition, review nominations and select winners of the Business Information Professional of the Year awards, and network with student members and faculty advisors of Beta Alpha Psi to provide input, counsel and advice regarding careers in the areas of Accounting, Finance and Information Systems.  Finally, a number of Professional Partner organizations and associations sponsor the many student chapter and faculty advisor awards each year.  As a result the generous support and commitment of the Beta Alpha Psi Professional Partners, Beta Alpha Psi remains the leading organization for students interested in careers in the Business Information field.

Professional Partners receive the benefit of tapping into the knowledge of the next generation of Business Information leaders:

• Future leaders – access to the best students
• Opportunities for interaction with students, peers, and faculty
• Recognition – name and brand recognition from the students, faculty, universities, peers
• Understanding – priorities of the new recruits, changes in what’s happening on campus
• Making a difference – become role models and influence careers

Additionally, the Professional Partners is the key body advising the BAP Board on the direction of the profession.  This advice is then used to help make any needed changes to the direction of the international organization.  The Chair of the Professional Partners is a voting member of the Board of Directors, and must determine prior to becoming the Chair as to assuming a one or two year stint as Chair.  The Incoming Chair of the Professional Partners is a one-year role.

Regional Meeting participation (Fri – Sat between February – April)

• Attendance – Firms and Associations should attend a minimum of 2 regional meetings each year. State Societies financially support their local regional meeting and attend that meeting if available. For organizations outside of the United States, attendance of their local regional meeting is encouraged.
• Presenting – professional concurrent sessions. Topics determined by Professional Partners, Board of Directors and host chapter(s)
• Judging – evaluate and award winners of Best Practices competition
• Principles and Priorities – assist with any student group activities during regional meetings
• Keynote speaker – utilize network to vet and secure inspiring/informative speaker on accounting, finance or information systems related topic

Annual Meeting

• Attend annual meeting each year (early August)
• Professional Partner member meeting – only face-to-face update/discussion meeting of year

Professional Partner calls

• Participate in when possible. General updates on BAP Activities (3 – 4 times/year – 1 hour)

Email input

• Respond timely to messages from BAP Executive office or Professional Partner Chair
• Requests for article submission for BAP Newsletter/Alumni Newsletter
• Input on matters affecting Professional Partners and BAP

Business Information Professional of the Year (BIPOY)

• Early each calendar year (Jan – Feb) – review and evaluate nominations for recognition at Annual meeting (usually no more than 1 hour commitment)