Do your academic achievements merit a prize?
The Department of Accountancy and Finance awards prizes for best academic performance in a number of areas. These look great on your curriculum vitae – as well as providing welcome financial support.
Alan MacGregor Prize
Established in 2008 and upon completion of his own PhD Studies, Dr Thiruven Madhavan generously provided funds to assist future Postgraduate students in the Department who deserve financial assistance.
The "Prize" is to be awarded at the discretion of the Department Of Accountancy & Finance's Post-Graduate Committee and Head of Department.
It is envisaged that one prize will be awarded annually, but it may also be divided or withheld if more than one candidate (or none) is deemed to be deserving. (The criteria are entirely at the discretion of the Post-Graduate committee and Head of Department, but should consider academic merit as a prime criterion).
Recipients must be enrolled in post-graduate studies (MCom or PhD), on a full-time or part-time basis and are not required to be NZ permanent residents or citizens.”
The current prize: NZ$1,000
Chamber of Commerce Prize
Founded by the Otago Chamber of Commerce in the early 1900s. This prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) to the candidate achieving the highest marks in Accounting at 300-level.
The current prize is: NZ$200
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants founded two prizes (for Accounting 1 and 2) in 1961; the Institute of Cost Accountants founded a third prize (for Accounting 3) in 1963; and in 1986 two further prizes' (also for Accounting 3) were instituted by the New Zealand Society of Accountants Cost and Management Accounting Division. In 1992 the prizes were reconstituted as awards for the best students in the core papers required of students majoring in Accounting.
CPA Australia Prize in Accounting
The CPA Australia Prize in Accounting was established in 2007 by CPA Australia, the sixth largest accounting body in the world with a membership of over 112,000 finance, accounting and business professionals.
The prize will be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Commerce, to the most outstanding student enrolled full-time for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and completing papers at 300-level in Accounting worth at least 72 points.
In making its recommendation to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the selection committee shall give regard to the student's academic record, communication skills, community involvement and the prospects for contributing in the future to the New Zealand and international accounting environment. NB: Consultation/agreement needed with CPA Australia.
The current prize: NZ$1,000
Financial Markets Authority Honours/Masters Prize
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) provides an annual prize to recognise and reward the honours or masters student in the Otago Business School who produces the best thesis in an area of study approved by the FMA. These topics will typically relate to the fairness, transparency, and efficiency of the New Zealand financial markets. Interested students should read the prize regulations and procedures.
The current prize: NZ$1,000
Forsyth Barr Ltd Prize in Business Finance
Established in 1983 by a donation from Forsyth Barr & Co, this cash prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (School of Business) in consultation with the Head of the Department of Accountancy and Finance to the Finance student with the highest level of attainment at 300-level.
The value of the prize is set down in the current university schedule of awards.
George Bell Prize
Established in 1991 under the will of George William Jack Bell (1904–1988). Mr Bell completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Otago in 1926 and practised as a chartered accountant in Dunedin. The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) and the Head of Department to the best student of Accounting at 400-level.
The current prize: NZ$125
WR Brown & WS Gilkinson Prize in Professional Accountancy Studies
A prize for the best student in Auditing was established in 1947 by a gift made by the Dunedin Rotary Club as a memorial to the late William Richmond Brown. The fund was supplemented in 1980 by a donation from the Otago Branch, New Zealand Society of Accountants, in recognition of the long and valued service as a part-time university teacher of the late W Scott Gilkinson.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) to the best student or students in Professional Accountancy Studies.
The current prize: NZ$200