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Finance Team Qualifies for Nationals and Business Student Places in Accounting

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擲tudents from Gardner鈥慦ebb University鈥檚 Godbold College of Business recently earned top honors at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A four-member finance team secured first place in the highly competitive Finance Case competition, earning a spot at the national conference this summer. In addition to the team victory, a freshman business student also placed in the accounting competition.

The students worked under the guidance of faculty advisors, Dr. RJ Quillinan, assistant professor of business law, and Dr. Angelina Smith, assistant professor of business.

The Gardner鈥慦ebb finance team included Will Brooks of Earl, N.C., Demarqus Little of High Point, N.C., Kadeyn Marshall of Shelby, N.C., and William Stevenson of Durham, N.C. They outperformed 12 other teams to claim the title and advance to the FBLA National Leadership Conference scheduled for June in Las Vegas, Nev.

鈥淭he students spent hours pouring into the competition,鈥� Quillinan praised. 鈥淭hey prepared with a strong focus on providing analytical feedback to the judges, coupled with a presentation style that was smooth, personable, and consistent with the standards set forth within the Godbold College of Business.鈥�

In individual competition, Alaena Locklear of Lawndale, N.C., placed sixth in Foundations of Accounting. The conference was a first for Locklear, and she鈥檚 already planning to attend next year.

鈥淭he comprehensive test I took contained questions about the basics and mechanics of financial statements, from what accounts belong on the Balance sheet to how the Statement of Cash Flows works,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淧reparation for the competition was a lot of coordination between myself and Dr. Smith, who guided me through the process. I took some time to study over what I’ve learned in my accounting classes so far, and I found a lot of that material relevant to what was on the test.鈥�

Locklear added, 鈥淚 am very proud of everyone who participated. The Godbold College of Business has been instrumental in all of our successes, and I’d like to especially thank Drs. (Amber) Daniels, Smith, and Quillinan.鈥�

Quillinan emphasized that FBLA plays a central role in bridging classroom learning with professional preparation. 鈥淥n campus, FBLA may be referred to as a 鈥榗lub,鈥� but it is more than that. It is an educational, co鈥慶urricular, academic program that allows for project鈥慴ased learning set in a competitive environment,鈥� he noted. 鈥淚n the case of the Finance Case competition, it helped students hone soft skills that we strive to provide in the Godbold College of Business, alongside the analytical and complex financial requirements to answer the question(s) posed.鈥�

Marshall, a sophomore economics and finance major, explained the team鈥檚 preparation strategy. 鈥淚t was teamwork鈥攅veryone on our team had their roles,鈥� he shared. Outlining each member鈥檚 contribution, Marshall explained that he compiled the data, Brooks was the manager, Stevenson created the presentation and speech, and Little handled investment and money management.

He said the experience proved their abilities to succeed in a real-world scenario. He concluded, 鈥淚t feels amazing; it makes our long nights and late work hours worth it.鈥�

Stevenson, a junior economics and finance major, said the case required students to act as financial advisors for a marketing analyst. 鈥淲e managed his investments, set up bank accounts, made decisions for his day-to-day life, and saved for a down payment on a house,鈥� he described.

Echoing Marshall鈥檚 assessment, Stevenson said, 鈥淭he greatest skill was teamwork and encouragement. We all played different roles and when we needed help, we all pitched in.鈥�

Quillinan added that the students did most of the preparation on their own. He and Smith helped them refine their presentation skills. He stated, 鈥淲e pointed out what may serve as differentiators against their competition: strength with the facts, providing more depth of analysis, and treating the presentation as a performance worthy of choreography and a personal touch.鈥�

Stevenson summed up the experience as strengthening his financial knowledge and professional outlook. 鈥淭his competition will look great on my resume and gives me a chance to network and meet young professionals,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his group helped me grow my financial literacy.鈥�

Quillinan commended the students鈥� dedication and teamwork. 鈥淚t was a lot of fun seeing these four come together, learn from one another, and use each team members鈥� strengths to ultimately win the competition,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淚 am proud to have been a coach to these four and look forward to doing so again, and again鈥攊f they let me.鈥�

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