OBJECTIVES
BETA ALPHA PSI is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals.
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. By 2009, there will be 279 chapters on college and university campuses with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi's formation.
MEMBERSHIP
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, who have
been initiated by an existing chapter and who remain in good standing.
Minimum scholastic requirements for undergraduate membership are
set forth in the by-laws.
Graduate student initiates must have been accepted and matriculated
into a masters degree level program. Individual chapters may establish
higher admission criteria.
ORGANIZATION
Beta Alpha Psi is governed by a constitution
and bylaws . The governing body is the Board of Directors. The
Board consists of thirteen financial information professionals or
professors of Accounting, Finance or Information Systems, the chair
of the International Advisory Forum, and two alumni representatives.
The alumni representatives are chosen from recent graduates who were
active in Beta Alpha Psi chapters.
THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY FORUM is comprised of prominent professionals who are active in professional service
and consulting firms, industry, and government. The members serve three-year
terms. The Forum provides the Board of Directors external advice and assistance
in both regular operations and special projects of Beta Alpha Psi.
THE INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER is comprised of all Faculty Advisors, student presidents, and past and present
officers of Beta Alpha Psi. This body holds an annual meeting and banquet in
August and provides advice and assistance to the Board of Directors.
A LOCAL CHAPTER is comprised of student and faculty members at each school. Student officers
guide the chapter's operations and activities, supervised by the Faculty Advisors.
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 deductible.
FUNDING
Beta Alpha Psi gains a portion of its annual budget from a charter
maintenance fee and a one-time initiation fee. Although there are other
minor revenues from royalties and interest on investments, the bulk
of the receipts come from contributions from industry, consulting and
professional service firms.
In 1982, the Associates Program was initiated. Through the Associates,
industrial, consulting and professional service firms contribute to
Beta Alpha Psi activities.
ACTIVITIES
The Board establishes a program for chapter activities to serve as
a guide and incentive for chapter competition. The goal of chapter
activities is to involve all members fully in chapter affairs. SUCCESSFUL
CHAPTER OPERATION REQUIRES PARTICIPATION BY MOST MEMBERS IN ATTENDING
MEETINGS, SERVING ON COMMITTEES, PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, AND STRIVING
FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
All chapters are evaluated annually on their service to members,
campus, community, and profession. Superior chapters are recognized
each year at the Beta Alpha Psi's annual meeting.
Chapter activities are divided into categories according to: plan
of activities and budget, initiations, professional programs, involvement
in campus and professional activities, community service, and annual
year-end report. Activities include speeches and panel discussions
by students, faculty and professionals; field trips; business meetings;
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 its activities. It is understood
that Beta Alpha Psi represents excellence and that its activities are
designed to supplement a student's education.
The activities of student members include:
- attendance at chapter meetings, socials, and recruiting events,
- attendance at regional meetings, and
- attendance and participation at the annual meeting.
INSIGNIA
Award Concepts (formerly Preferred Greek
Jewelry) is the official jeweler of Beta Alpha Psi. A wide variety of
jewelry and other items bearing the BAP’s emblem is available;
the badge and key are pictured here. Members are provided with details
for ordering by the local chapter or faculty advisor. Some chapters
include the cost of the Beta Alpha Psi key in the initiation fee. All
orders should be directed to Award Concepts 110 S. 11th Ave., St. Charles,
IL 60174 (1-800-659-7801)
e-mail: gcawardcon@aol.com.
Website: http://www.awardconcepts.net/
The emblem of Beta Alpha Psi denotes the promise of careers for financial
information professionals. The rising sun signifies these professional
positions as rising ever higher among economic activities. The crossed
keys symbolize knowledge as a means of opening the doors of the financial
world. The letters Beta, Alpha, and Psi denote scholarship, social responsibility,
and practicality, respectively.
