From Classroom to Career: AKSOB Students Turn National Win into Opportunity
Four accounting students translate academic preparation into a national victory, earning job offers and demonstrating how AKSOB connects learning with real-world success.
A team of LAU AKSOB accounting students claimed first place at the inaugural National Accounting Contest in April 2026, hosted by USEK Business School and organized by the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (LACPA), transforming months of preparation into a defining academic and professional breakthrough.
Third-year accounting students Alda Bassil, Charly Tannous, Christelle Zghieb and Joe Saade stepped into the competition prepared and composed, ready to face a setting that mirrored the demands of the profession.
Behind them were weeks of focused training under the guidance of Assistant Professor Cynthia Melhem, who led the team through the complexities of financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing and taxation.
The preparation was deliberate and structured, reflecting the competition format: A first round of multiple-choice questions, followed by a comprehensive case study and a final presentation before a jury of industry leaders.
“There was a clear shift in how the students approached problems as we progressed,” said Dr. Melhem. “They moved from solving questions to thinking like professionals, questioning assumptions, structuring their arguments and presenting with confidence.”
That shift became evident in the final round, where students presented before representatives from KPMG, PwC, Baker Tilly and UHY, alongside the president and members of LACPA.
Their performance combined technical precision with clarity and confidence, setting them apart.
For the students, the moment was both validating and transformative. “We went in hoping to perform well, but winning was beyond what we imagined,” said Bassil. “What made it meaningful was seeing how closely our preparation at AKSOB matched the realities of the competition.”
Tannous described the experience as a turning point. “The case study challenged us to think under pressure and communicate clearly. It showed us that we can handle complex problems when it matters most.”
Zghieb highlighted the value of approaching the challenge from multiple perspectives. “The experience pushed us to connect ideas and think beyond one discipline. That is what made the difference in how we presented our solution.”
For Saade, the preparation process itself stood out. “We were trained to analyze, not just answer. That made us more confident when defending our ideas in front of the jury.”
The impact of the win extended beyond the competition. Each of the four students received job offers from the sponsoring firms, marking a direct transition from academic achievement to professional opportunity. They were also awarded one year of professional training at the LACPA Training Institute.
For Dr. Melhem, the outcome reflects a broader purpose. “This is what we strive to offer at AKSOB—an environment where students can apply their knowledge, engage with professionals and understand the value of their work,” she said. “When preparation meets opportunity, results like this follow.”
The competition also opened conversations with leading firms, creating opportunities for future collaborations that can further strengthen the connection between AKSOB classrooms and the accounting sector.
For the Department of Finance and Accounting at AKSOB, the achievement is both a win and a clear testament to how academic rigor and real-world exposure come together to shape student success.