​Overview and Membership:
 

The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance, and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service, and association among members and practicing professionals; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. Beta Alpha Psi was founded in 1919. Currently, there are over 300 chapters on college and university campuses around the world with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi's inception. Membership in Beta Alpha Psi includes those persons of good moral character who have achieved scholastic and/or professional excellence in the fields of accounting, finance, or information systems and have been initiated by an existing local chapter. Minimum requirements for undergraduate membership are set forth in the national by-laws and can be modified upwards on a chapter-by-chapter basis. See the "Notre Dame Induction Requirements" section below for Notre Dame's criteria. Members must remain in compliance with these requirements for continued membership.

 

 

National Organization:


Beta Alpha Psi is governed by a constitution and by-laws set forth by the National Chapter. To view each of these documents, please click here. The National Chapter is comprised of all faculty advisors, student presidents, and past and present officers of Beta Alpha Psi. Oversight of the National Chapter is provided by a Board of Directors, which consists of thirteen financial information professionals in accounting, finance, and information systems; the chair of the International Advisory Forum; and two alumni representatives. Alumni representatives are chosen from recent graduates who were active in Beta Alpha Psi. The International Advisory Forum provides the Board of Directors with external advice and assistance pertaining to both regular operations and special projects and is comprised of prominent professionals who are active in various service companies, industry firms, and the government. All board members (regardless of their position) serve three-year terms.

 

The National Chapter delegates most ground-level managerial and operations functions to the officers and faculty advisors of each local chapter. A local chapter is comprised of all the inducted students and faculty members at a particular school. Local chapters can construct their own constitution and by-laws, but they must not contradict (nor supercede) those of the National Chapter. In general, student officers guide the chapter's activities and are responsible for scheduling events, fundraising, partnering with companies, and fostering chapter growth. Various reports and dues remittances must be provided by the local chapters to the National Chapter on a semester-by-semester basis. Beta Alpha Psi is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Beta Alpha Psi (and its local chapters) are tax deductible.

 

 

Click on the following link to view the by-laws of the Notre Dame chatper of Beta Alpha Psi (last updated Fall 2014): ND Beta Alpha Psi By-Laws

 

 

Notre Dame Induction Requirements:

 

The Notre Dame chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (the Beta Sigma chapter) maintains strict requirements for undergraduate students interested in membership. In order to be inducted into Beta Alpha Psi, the following criteria must be met. An undergraduate student must:

 

1. Have declared "Accountancy" as their major.

2. Possess a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher.

3. Possess an accountancy grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher in their upper division courses (i.e., not including ACCT 20100/20200).

4. Earn a minimum of six (6) "professional" hours during their candidacy semester.

5. Earn a minimum of six (6) "service" hours during their candidacy semester.

6. Pay one-time dues of $100.

 

Students will be notified via email if they are candidates for induction (typically at the beginning of the first semester of their junior year). If they meet all of the criteria above during this "candidacy semester," they will be inducted into the Notre Dame chapter.

 

NOTE:  Once inducted, Beta Alpha Psi members must uphold their membership by meeting criteria 1-5 above during each semester until graduation. If they fail to meet any of these requirements upon the conclusion of a semester, their membership will be terminated.

 

 

Activities:


The Board establishes a program for local chapter activities to serve as a guide and incentive for local chapters to compete against one another. The goal of local chapter activities is to involve all members fully in chapter affairs. Successful local chapter operation requires participation by most members in attending meetings, serving in committees, participating in activities, and striving for academic excellence. All local chapters are evaluated annually on their service to members, their respective campuses, the community, and the profession. Superior chapters are recognized each year at Beta Alpha Psi's annual meeting. Activities include speeches and panel discussions by students, faculty, and professionals; field trips; business meetings; recruiting events; attendance of regional meetings; attendance and participation at the annual meeting; and a wide variety of professional, social, and service activities.  Employers of accounting, finance, and information systems students are familiar with Beta Alpha Psi and have historiclly been more than willing to get involved with local chapter activities. It is understood that Beta Alpha Psi represents excellence and that its activities are designed to supplement a student's education.