Scores of high school and community college students from all over Southern Illinois will compete for scholarships and prestige at the 28th annual Accounting Challenge, set for Jan. 23 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The unique academic and team-building competition incorporates individual and team challenges. Participants first showcase their accounting knowledge and acumen in a written academic competition. Then, they take on team challenges that assess their ingenuity and creative thinking. The event also features a student panel and awards presentation.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the 2026 SIU Accounting Challenge on Jan. 23 in the Student Center Ballrooms and adjacent Corker Lounge.
Multi-tiered competition
There are currently nine high schools registered for the challenge, some coming from three hours or more away, and registration is continuing. The contest begins with the academic test at 9 a.m. Students will compete in two divisions, answering 50 multiple choice and true-false questions about accounting fundamentals. The contestants who earn the highest scores in each division will receive certificates and scholarships worth up to $500 if they attend SIU and major in accounting.
After a short break, it’s time for the team-building competition. Participants will work in groups of about four to test their problem-solving prowess. Larry Busch, an emeritus SIU School of Art and Design faculty member, each year devises a stimulating, engaging creative challenge.
Just what it will be is a closely guarded secret, but it’s always fun, entertaining and intriguing. Previously, students created a container using a few simple supplies in hopes of keeping an egg unbroken when dropped from the second story of a building and played a human version of Hungry, Hungry Hippos. They’ve engaged in blindfolded money scrambles and designed bridges, catapults, airplanes and more – each with a specific goal in mind.
Winning team members each earn a trophy and one for their school as well. Participants also receive commemorative T-shirts.
The Accounting Challenge features an afternoon Saluki Student Panel, during which the high school and community college students can interact with current SIU students, ask questions and learn more about life as a Saluki.
Sponsors of the accounting challenge include SIU’s School of Accountancy and College of Business and Analytics, the Illinois CPA Society and the Accounting Circle, whose generosity allows students to be able to compete for free.
