Two Isenberg Student Teams Advance to Deloitte’s FanTAXtic Nationals

For the sixth year in a row, Isenberg accounting students will advance to the national finals of Deloitte’s FanTAXtic National Case Competition. This prestigious event requires student teams to analyze, research, and present a comprehensive solution to a complex business tax case. The real-world business experience gained by participating in this competition helps students better expect and understand what a career in accounting can look like.

“FanTAXtic is a highly competitive, invite only competition,” shared Catherine West Lowry, senior lecturer II of accounting and the primary faculty advisor for both Isenberg teams that advanced. “The teams spent countless hours learning tax and accounting concepts. It was a great team-learning experience.”

The achievement is even more special this year, because for the first time, both Isenberg teams earned a spot in the finals, which will be held in January at Deloitte University in Westland, Texas. That means that two of only 16 teams that were selected for the national finals will be made up of Isenberg students.

Isenberg’s first team is made up of sophomores Julian Caro, Michael Costa, Thomas Creavin, Andrew Lang, and first-year student Allie Zeng. The second team is made up of first-year student Michael Atkin, and sophomores Alex Bessaoud, Emily Love, and Anthony Pulsifer.

Jennifer Roy, JD, CPA, associate department chair for accounting, and Sean Wandrei, senior lecturer of accounting, also served as advisors to both teams and shared their excitement and pride in this success.

“It was great to see that both teams were able to learn about these complex tax topics in such a short period of time,” said Wandrei. “I am very impressed.”

Lowry noted: “As an educator, it’s rewarding to see students bond, learn, grow, and then execute their hard work with confidence and professionalism. I couldn’t be prouder of our Isenberg students; it is a privilege to get to know the students and help prepare them for the real-world careers awaiting them after graduation.”