Mount students snag top 20 finish in accounting competition

The Mount Knights team made it to the semifinal round in the AICPA annual accounting competition. From left to right: Stephen Blomquist, Andrew Tomascak, Thomas Gambino, and Jeremias Ramos.

Students from Mount Saint Mary College recently finished in the top 20 nationwide in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) annual accounting competition.

More than 100 colleges and universities participated in the contest, which tasked participants with finding solutions to real-world financial issues.

Consisting of team captain Stephen Blomquist of Hopewell Junction, NY, Jeremias Ramos of Monroe, NY, Thomas Gambino of New Windsor, NY, and Andrew Tomascak of Brookfield, CT, the Mount Knights team researched taxation, Social Security, and federal deficit. They produced a video explaining their solutions which was featured on the AICPA web site.

According to associate professor Tracey Niemotko, the team’s advisor, the Mount Knights were the only group from the north east in the top 20. They were also the only team to be affected by Hurricane Sandy. While the residence halls had generators to provide electricity for students, the academic buildings didn’t regain power until three days after the storm. The Mount Knights were scheduled to work on their video that week. Despite the setback, they submitted their materials in time.

Margaret Treacy, a media studies\production major from Monroe, NY, helped the team create their video.

“I couldn't be prouder of the Knights,” said Niemotko. “We would like to express our thanks to the Mount community for their outpouring of encouragement and support throughout the competition.”