By Jackson State University
A team of Jackson State University (JSU) College of Business students were recently named as one of nine regional winners of Deloitte FanTAXtic Tax Case competition. The students, Camryn Gaines, Jayla Manor, Jessica Tate and Ashanti Campbell, competed virtually with nearly 200 other students and faculty, representing more than 40 colleges and universities.
“I am proud to bear witness to the success of these four phenomenal JSU scholars who rose to the regional challenge,” Sharon Simmons, Ph.D., associate professor of entrepreneurship said. “The schools that advance to the national FanTAXtic competition are considered to be the nation’s top accounting and tax programs.”
The competition is designed to assist students with gaining real-world business experience by familiarizing them with the tax profession early in their academic careers.
“It is indeed a privilege to work with this extraordinary team,” said Richard Russell, visiting professor of accounting. “Their advancement to the next level is the result of hours of hard work along with teamwork, poise, research and analytical reasoning.”
The competition consisted of a simulation in which the students were asked to research and present tax solutions for a traditional manufacturing company. The company is looking to make new IT equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic that supports remote learning and working.
All members of the Jackson State team are anticipating the upcoming competition in January 2022.
“Our experience was challenging since none of us are tax majors,” Gaines said. “The numbers were intimidating but when I realized we advanced to nationals—I felt a sense of relief and immense gratification.”
“I’m excited and this is quite an honor,” Manor said. “We are going to have a great experience as we compete in the next round of this competition.”
“As an incoming freshman, I’m elated to be a part of such an esteem competition that brings reverence to JSU,” Campbell said.
I’m happy that I participated in this competition,” Tate said. “It’s an outstanding opportunity for us to showcase the knowledge that JSU students have.”
The Deloitte FanTAXtic national competition is scheduled for January 14-16, 2022.
