WHAT IS BETA ALPHA PSI?

 

Beta Alpha Psi (BAY) is a national honors scholastic and professional coed business organization. The primary objective of the fraternity is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the field of accounting, finance and information systems. This includes promoting the study and practice of business administration, providing opportunities for self-development, associating with members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

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.

Beta Alpha Psi is governed by its Constitution and Bylaws.  The Beta Eta Chapter has also its own Bylaws.

 

Membership
 

Membership in Beta Alpha Psi includes those persons of good moral character, who have achieved scholastic excellence in accounting, finance and information systems, and who have been initiated according to the ritual after one pledge semester. The requirements to pledge are listed below.

 
Undergraduate
 
  • Declared Major in Accounting, Finance, or Information Systems
  • 3.25 Upper Division GPA in Major
  • 3.25 Overall GPA or 3.50 in the Most Recent 30 units
  • Completed at Least One Course Outside of Core Business Courses (IDS 302, FIN 323, MGT 350, MKTG 370, BA 404, MGT 405)
     
Graduate
   
  • Declared Major in Accounting, Finance or Information Systems
  • 3.25 GPA in Graduate Courses
  • 3.25 Overall GPA
  • Completed at least 6 Units of Graduate Study

In addition, pledges will be required to participate in certain events and serve on a committee. The required events list is distributed at the orientation meeting.

 

History

 

The Beta Alpha Psi national organization was founded in 1919. By 1997, there were over 200 chapters on college and university campuses with over 200,000 members initiated since the fraternity's formation.

San Diego State University founded the Beta Eta chapter in 1960. Our organization has gone through many evolutions since that time, remaining extremely active.

The Board establishes a program for chapter activities to serve as a guide and an incentive for chapter competition. The goal of chapter activities is to involve all members fully in chapter affairs. SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER OPERATION REQUIRES PARTICIPATION BY EVERY MEMBER 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 fraternity's national 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 audit and 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 students are totally 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, participation in a national student seminar or graduate case seminar, attendance at regional meetings, preparation of manuscripts for graduate or undergraduate competition, development of essays and chapter notes for the Newsletter, and attendance and participation at the annual meeting.

 

Insignia
 

The J. O. Pollack Company is the official jeweler of the fraternity. A wide variety of jewelry and other items bearing the fraternity'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 fraternity key in the initiation fee. All orders should be directed to the J. O. Pollack Company, 1700 Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613-1599 (1-800-621-1904).

The emblem of the fraterity denotes the promise of the accounting profession. The rising sun signifies the profession as one rising ever higher among economic activities. The crossed keys symbolize knowledge of accounting as a means of opening doors of the financial world.
The letters Beta, Alpha, and Psi denote Scholarship, social Responsibility, and Practicality, respectively. 

 

  

 

The Beta Alpha Psi Seal

 


 

 

What Professionals Think About BAY

 

"As one of the premier nationally recognized academic fraternities, Beta Alpha Psi enhances the development of its members by complimenting the student’s academic experience. Members of the fraternity have opportunities to hear guest lecturers from both public and private practice, gain valuable leadership skills by becoming involved as an officer or director, enhance public speaking and presentation skills by volunteering to represent the club at regional and national conventions, and compete for scholarship awards by participating in the undergraduate and graduate case competitions. I encourage each and every one of you pledging your membership to the fraternity to become an active participant in all that Beta Alpha Psi has to offer. In doing so, you will challenge yourself, and in challenging yourself, you will experience growth as an individual and as part of a team."
 

Anastacia Varzos, Vice President of Professional Activities
Spring 1996

Ernst & Young LLP
 

"Beta Alpha Psi provides the perfect opportunity to develop the key ingredients necessary for a successful accounting career. Accounting professionals recognize that active members in the fraternity are among the highest-quality candidates and the most well prepared for an accounting career. More importantly, Beta Alpha Psi provides unique experiences outside the classroom. As a member, I was given both the freedom to make mistakes and the necessary support to learn from those mistakes while realizing my full potential. Ultimately, Beta Alpha Psi fosters the notion that meeting your own expectations is the greatest reward. In Beta Alpha Psi, the relationships you build and the skills you learn are certain to follow you wherever life takes you. I look forward to continued involvement in your organization, and meeting you in future activities."
 

Ken Gerstel, Vice President of Planning
Spring 1997

Arthur Andersen LLP
 


"Beta Alpha Psi is an organization that helps develop skills for entering the accounting profession. Leadership, teamwork and people skills are equal in importance to technical skills you learn in your classes. I encourage everyone to join Beta Alpha Psi. Step out of your comfort zone, get involved and become an officer or a director."
 

Michael Hartnett, Vice President of Reporting
Spring 1997

Ernst & Young Kenneth Leventhal

Real Estate Services Company, LLC