CPA Ireland and gamification application Quitch have announced the winners of the 2024 National Accounting Competition.
- 1st Place, €1000 – Chenlu Lin from Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest
- 2nd Place, €600 – Brian Gervin from Ulster University Belfast
- 3rd Place, €300 – Lia Wallace from South East Technological University Carlow
- Winning College, €500 - Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest
For the second year running the first-place winner was Chenlu Lin, taking top prize in 2023 and 2024. Chenlu is a final year student, on the BA (Hons) in Accounting with Finance at the Technological University of the Shannon, Midlands, Midwest. Brian Gervin is a second-year student on BSc (Hons) Accounting Pathways, Ulster University Belfast, and Lia Wallace, is a final year student on the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting, South East Technological University Carlow. The Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest was the ‘Winning College’ for the third year running.
In its third year of the competition, participants included first- to final-year accounting, business, master’s, and postgraduate students and Accounting Technician Ireland students from 22 colleges across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Each week, a range of theory-based accounting questions were released to participants on the Quitch app. This year included a “Bonus” round of questions about CPA Ireland and a career as a CPA Accountant. Participants scored points for correctly answering questions and for how quickly they answered the questions. Participants could monitor their progress under their avatar name and see their score in real time leaderboard along with the other participants.
Across the 6-week competition, there were:
- 426 total students
- The highest number of answers correctly answered by one participant: 107149
- The highest number of question attempts by one participant: 107613
- The highest time played by a participant: 178523 (seconds)
- Total time played: 19d 17h
An amazing achievement for the Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest in securing first place for the third consecutive year and to Chenlu, winning two years in a row.
Eamonn Siggins, CEO of CPA Ireland said
“Well done to Chenlu on her hard work and achievement. We hope you enjoyed the competition, and we hope to see you continue to have a successful career in accounting in the future! For a TUS Athlone accounting student to secure victory for the third consecutive year is a wonderful achievement and speaks to the quality of the accounting programme.”
Dr Michael Tobin, Acting Dean of Faculty, Business and Hospitality, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest Athlone said,
“Securing victory in this national competition for three consecutive years speaks volumes about the calibre of our accounting offering and the exceptional dedication of our academic team, who are deeply committed to providing students with the knowledge, real-world experience, and technical skills essential for starting their careers on the right foot. Academic staff work hand in hand with professional bodies, like CPA, to ensure the highest professional standards are met while empowering our students with in-demand knowledge and skills.”
With only four points the difference between first place and second place
, Dr Helen Foster said,
“I am delighted to see students from the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, at Ulster University participate in CPA Ireland’s Quitch and to congratulate Brian Gervin on second place in the competition. Brian is the first student from Ulster University, Belfast to be placed in this competition and we are delighted for him. Brian is a hard-working student, and it is wonderful to see him receive this recognition. Thank you to CPA Ireland and Quitch for this innovative initiative”
Tracy Byrne, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting Programme Director said,
“I am absolutely delighted to see Lia Wallace, South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow student, win third place in the 2024 CPA National Accounting Competition. Lia is a final year student in the BBS (Hons) in Accounting and Finance programme. She is a very talented young person, and she will no doubt enjoy an exciting and successful career in the accounting and finance field. Congratulations Lia and to all who took part this year! This is not SETU Carlow’s first time taking a winning position in this competition, we took second place in 2022. This is a wonderful testament to the talented and committed accounting and finance lecturers in SETU Carlow. Thank you, CPA, and Quitch for providing this learning platform and opportunity for our students”.
CEO of Quitch, Grainne Oats said,
“Congratulations to Chenlu and the Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest on their amazing achievements again. Quitch extends heartfelt thanks to CPA Ireland for sponsoring the National Accounting Competition for the third consecutive year. This year's event was a triumph, featuring more participants and engagement than ever before. Competitors praised the enriching and enjoyable experience, highlighting the vital role of the competition in promoting accounting as a profession. Quitch and CPA Ireland are proud to support the future of accounting, fostering the development of talented students nationwide”.
2024 National Accounting Competition 1st Place Winner Chenlu Lin
(Pictured L to R): Brendan McLarney, Accounting Lecturer, Adam O'Reilly, CPA Ireland, Chenlu Lin, Bernard Tao Cui, Head of Department, Accounting and Business Computing, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest). Photo taken by Nathan Cafolla.
2024 National Accounting Competition 2nd Place Winner Brian Gervin
(Pictured L to R): Professor Danielle McWall, Head of the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Brian Gervin, Dr Helen Foster, Course Director, BSc (Hons) Accounting Pathways, Ulster University Belfast.
2024 National Accounting Competition 3rd Place Winner Lia Wallace
(Pictured): Lia Wallace
2024 National Accounting Competition Winning College,
Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest
(Pictured L to R): Brendan McLarney, Accounting Lecturer, Adam O'Reilly, CPA Ireland, Bernard Tao Cui, Head of Department, Accounting and Business Computing, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Photo taken by Nathan Cafolla.