Stony Brook University’s College of Business hosted its second annual Accounting Case Competition during the first week of November, challenging students to think strategically, work collaboratively, and apply accounting concepts to a real-world scenario under intense time pressure.
Throughout the week, teams analyzed the uncertain future of Bell Games, LLC, newly brought under LMC Media through a recent acquisition, especially as AI and immersive motion-capture technologies reshape the gaming industry. Students evaluated multiple strategic paths for Bell Games, from staying the course, to investing further, to selling the subsidiary, and could also propose alternative solutions supported by strong analysis. By Friday, each team presented a fully developed strategic recommendation in-person to a distinguished panel of judges from the College of Business Accounting Advisory Board. Judges assessed the strength of the analysis, presentation professionalism, communication clarity, and how well teams handled the Q&A session under pressure.
The first-place team, “GAAP Gurus,” earned $2,000 in cash and a full Becker CPA Exam Prep scholarship (totaling $10,000 for the team). The first runner-up team, “Excel-ent Accountants,” received $1,000 as well as an honorary recognition for Best Professional Team Appearance. Additionally, Team “FASB” (Fashionably Accurate Seawolf Balancers) earned the award for Outstanding Presentation Visuals. A special shoutout goes to Maria Manolas from Team “ThunderCountants” for winning the MVP (Most Valuable Participant) award.
Jenny Lin, part of the winning team noted, “This experience taught me so much, from deepening my analytical and technical accounting skills to strengthening my ability to think critically and communicate ideas effectively under pressure. Presenting our solutions to industry professionals from BDO, CohnReznick, and PwC was truly an unforgettable experience.”
“It is a wonderful event that will hopefully continue. It brought about a lot of anticipation, rigor, challenge, and teamwork. I’m so pleased by all the people I met and getting to know their stories and aspirations,” said Raymond Lizzol, another member from Team “GAAP Gurus.” “It was said that this would be a growth experience and it truly was.¹ I’m so glad I got to be a part of the 2025 Accounting Case Competition!” Maham Khalid from Team “FASB” added, “I had a wonderful time. I look forward to engaging in more events in the future.”
Alumni advisors also played a critical mentorship role throughout the week. Having once sat in the students’ shoes, they appreciated the chance to return, reconnecting with the College of Business, reliving a bit of their own journey, and sharing their professional insights to support the next generation of accounting talent.
A Vision for the Future
College of Business Dean Haresh Gurnani emphasized the importance of the event, “Our students’ strong performance in addressing the complex challenges of this competition, including navigating the evolving role of technologies like AI, highlights the adaptability and strategic thinking we cultivate at the College of Business. Where human insight meets machine intelligence, the future of business begins. That’s why we are launching a comprehensive new AI initiative that will embed the ethical use of artificial intelligence across every course in the college, ensuring our graduates are fully prepared for the business landscape ahead. And with the upcoming launch of our BS in Accounting in Fall 2026, we are positioned for continued growth in the accounting field, further strengthening our commitment to developing highly skilled, ethical business leaders for the future.”
Dr. Ceci Feng, Associate Professor of Accounting and Director of the MS in Accounting and Analytics program, who has led the competition since its launch last year, praised the students’ dedication. “Their ability to turn such an ambiguous scenario into clear, actionable recommendations was truly inspiring. I hope they all enjoyed the journey together! Each student should feel proud of what they’ve accomplished,” she said.
The event was also supported by Becker CPA Exam Review, Wegmans of Lake Grove, student volunteers from Beta Alpha Psi, and College of Business faculty and staff, whose contributions helped create an engaging and enriching experience for students.
“Being involved last year as a participant and this year as a communication intern has been a full-circle moment. This event reflects what the College of Business is all about — competitive, yet incredibly supportive of one another,” said Aashika Jeswani, President of Beta Alpha Psi.
“As the accounting profession evolves, competitions like this give students a chance to build analytical, communication, and leadership skills that employers value,” said Dr. Keval Amin, Associate Professor of Accounting and Accounting Area Head, “and events like this remind us why experiential learning is so essential to preparing tomorrow’s business leaders.”
With another successful year completed, the College of Business looks forward to continuing its commitment to hands-on, real-world learning experiences that help our students and our programs grow with reputation.
