CPABC Annual Business Case Competition 2025

COIN-recap 2025

Photo credit: Bobo Zhao Photography

CPABC’s Annual Business Case Competition showcases the talent and business acumen of post-secondary students throughout British Columbia by challenging them to apply their skills to business case analyses.

This year, 62 teams from various post-secondary schools competed in the first virtual round of the competition. Teams were given a 48-hour window in which to resolve a business case scenario, prepare their recommendations, and present their findings via video submission.

After the first round, eight teams from four post-secondary institutions—Langara College, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, and the University of British Columbia—advanced to the second (final) round, which was held in person at CPABC’s offices on March 22. Presented with a business case involving the international expansion of a Canadian business, teams had three hours to analyze growth opportunities, international market selection, franchising dynamics, and the circular economy to develop the best strategy moving forward.

Each team then presented their findings to a panel of four CPA judges. Teams were assessed based on a variety of factors including presentation style, case knowledge, strategic thinking, and creativity. Teams were also evaluated on how well they handled a rapid-fire question period.

Participants then gathered at the Shangri-La Vancouver Hotel for an evening reception, during which the top three teams were announced:

  • First place: “Team JEDI Consulting” from UBC, represented by David Ramos, Emily Han, Isabel Houang, and Jay Han.
     
  • Second place: “Team WKND Consulting” from UBC, represented by Deniz Emre, Kade Manning, Kennedy Kopke, and Wesley Lin.
     
  • Third place: “Team Echelon Consulting” from SFU, represented by Albel Dhanoa, Kai Lee, Melissa Taghdiry, and Naia Wong.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, this year's evening reception was extended to include most of the teams from the first round, allowing more than 100 students to network with potential employers and CPAs. 

CPABC congratulates the winners and thanks everyone who participated in making this year’s competition—the twelfth in the event’s history—such a success! Special thanks to our sponsors:

  • Exhibiting Partners: KPMG, MNP, and Treewalk
     
  • Networking Partners: Deloitte, Doane Grant Thornton, EY, LLT, and PwC

Check out the photos from the evening reception and the first place team’s case presentation.
 

First Place Team Testimonials

Jay-HanJay Han

Thank you to CPABC for organizing such an amazing competition and I couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up my second year! The competition helped me grow my skills and build meaningful relationships with my teammates, fellow competitors, and industry professionals. I'm truly grateful to CPABC for being part of my journey, and I hope to see everyone again soon!

IsabelIsabel Houang

The CPABC Annual Business Case Competition was an incredible experience! I enjoyed collaborating with my team across two rounds to apply our business knowledge to real-world client problems under three hours of time pressure. Presenting our final recommendations to a panel of CPAs and receiving live feedback was a fantastic way to gain exposure to industry professionals! A huge thank you to the organizers for creating such a well-run and engaging event—I highly encourage any student looking to enhance their problem-solving and presentation skills to apply next year!

David-RamosDavid Ramos

Participating in the CPABC Case Competition as a fourth-year student was the perfect way to cap off my university journey. This experience pushed me beyond the classroom—challenging my strategic thinking, communication, and teamwork in ways I’ll never forget. I’m incredibly thankful to the judges and the amazing CPABC organizing committee for creating such a supportive and inspiring environment. From thought-provoking cases to meaningful networking, every moment was unforgettable. I highly recommend this competition to any student looking to grow, connect, and make the most of their university experience.

Emily-HanEmily Han

The CPABC Annual Business Case Competition was an incredible opportunity to work collaboratively, hone my problem solving/storytelling skills, and tackle a nuanced case in a fast-paced environment. Beyond that, I had an amazing time forming genuine connections with like-minded students and industry professionals on finals day. Thank you to CPABC and the entire organizing team for creating such a memorable, welcoming, and organized experience for us - I truly couldn’t recommend the experience more!