CPA Education Foundation Business Challenge
CPA Education Foundation Business Challenge case competition
March 4-6, 2026
Location: Edmonton Alberta, Renaissance by Marriott Edmonton Airport Hotel
The 18th annual CPA Education Foundation Business Challenge case competition will bring together student teams from post-secondary institutions across Alberta to compete for the top prize.
This three-day in-person event will allow students to practice their case-solving skills, hone their business acumen, and experience what it’s like to be a professional who is working to solve real-world business problems and present their solutions to a panel of Chartered Professional Accountants.
Team Prizes
First Place = $10,000
Second Place = $5,000
Third Place = $2,000
The Dhillon School of Business can send a maximum of two teams of 4 students to compete. We may hold qualifier interviews (contingent on interest), but first we need to know who is interested! The chosen team(s) (4-8 students) will be given a coach.
The CPA Education Foundation covers the cost of hotel rooms, and food/beverages during the duration of the competition. Travel costs to Edmonton covered by apply for SPD Competition Funding.
Competition At-a-Glance Schedule (subject to change)
Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026
Time | Event |
3 p.m. | Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel available for check-in |
5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Team registration |
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Welcome dinner and interactive activity. Attendance required for students; advisors are welcome. |
Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026
Time | Event |
|---|---|
8 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast and opening remarks |
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Morning presentation: TBD |
9:45 – 10:40 a.m. | Live Business Challenge Presentation (students only) |
10:40 – 11 a.m. | Coffee/Snack break – Advisor access to students is permitted |
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Competition begins |
1 – 2 p.m. | Lunch break – Advisor access to students is permitted |
2 – 4:15 p.m. | Competition resumes |
4:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Coffee/Snack break – Advisor access to students is permitted |
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Competition resumes |
6:30 p.m. | Competition ends – all material must be handed in |
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Dinner Attendance required for students; advisors are welcome |
Friday, Mar. 6, 2026
Time | Event |
|---|---|
6:30 – 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | First round of presentations |
9:30 – 10 a.m. | Coffee break |
10:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | Final round of presentations |
12:10 – 1 p.m. | Team photos and judges’ feedback (time permitting) |
1 – 2:30 p.m. | Awards Luncheon – Attendance required for students |
About the case:
- The Business Challenge will be presented live by a local company. A package with supporting documents will be given to students at the start of “lock down.”
- Preparation time is six (6) hours for the competition.
Presentation Rounds: Oral presentations will be a minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of 15 minutes in duration followed by a five-minute question period during which the judges may ask the competitors questions pertaining to the Business Challenge and their presentation. Each team member must be a part of the presentation and teams will be awarded additional marks if all team members participate in answering questions. Business attire is required for presentations.
To be eligible for the Team you need to be:
A currently Dhillon School of Business student (in any discipline, preference to Accounting Majors).
Enrolled in full-time studies, which means taking three or more classes per semester.
Part-time students may be accepted with approval from the CPA Education Foundation.
Students completing their co-op or work-integrated learning requirements may be accepted with approval from the CPA Education Foundation.
What is involved?
We will finalize the team by late January and will then, as a team, determine a schedule for practices.
Competition practices will likely be in-person at the Lethbridge Campus, and attended virtually for students participating from the Calgary Campus.
What’s in it for me?
The opportunity to represent the University of Lethbridge
The opportunity to hone your case expertise, and polish your presentation skills
It’s a great experience and addition to your resume and portfolio
Students keep any prize money
Winners for the 2025 CPA Education Foundation Business Challenge Case Competition:
First Place: University of Alberta
Second Place: MacEwan University
Third Place: University of Calgary
I’m in! What’s next?
Please complete this form. You will be asked to include a brief letter outlining your interest, a list of the Accounting courses you have taken, and your resume.
Application deadline Monday, Jan. 26.