Accounting students at Montana State University will be providing FREE income tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Reid Hall 302, a computer lab. No appointment is necessary. The sessions are from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the following Tuesday and Thursday nights: February 9, 16, 23; March 2, 4, 9, 23, 30; April 1 and 6.
Taxpayers whose income is $55,000 or less are eligible for the assistance. Those interested in free help should bring their 2009 W-2 forms, other tax documents, social security cards and copies of their 2008 tax returns (if available). International students should also bring their passports and visas. Tax assistance for international scholars begins February 23.
VITA was established by the Internal Revenue Service to assist people who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services. The program also provides accounting students an experiential learning opportunity as they work with people in actual income tax situations.
Students will be available to prepare federal and state tax returns and answer tax questions. Free electronic filing will be available for most 1040 forms. They have completed one or more semester-long comprehensive tax courses, received specific training related to common tax issues, have access to a variety of federal and state reference materials and have passed an IRS exam prior to preparing tax returns. The students are supervised by CoB accounting professor, Anne Christensen.
News
Some Montana State University (MSU) students in finance and economics have started to pursue their Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification. On January 27, the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute announced the results for the December 2009 CFA exam, with three out of four MSU graduates who took the test passing it. College of Business (CoB) students Eric Bertelsen, Cairn Clark and Austin Owens were all notified of their success. Chase Basta, a 2008 graduate, took and passed the exam last June.
Approximately 50,000 people around the world took the exam the first Saturday in December. Only 34% of them passed. A BusinessWeek article stated that applicants for the CFA exam hope it will lead to better jobs and higher salaries, as well as a deeper understanding of finance, but the trade off is a recommended 300 hours of study for each of the three six-hour tests. The 34% pass rate is the lowest percentage of passing candidates in four years. Tom Robinson, the institute’s managing director of education, believes that the pass rate may have declined because the test-takers were less serious than previous groups.
That is not the case with MSU’s students. The CoB students passing the exam are testaments to the high quality of education they’ve received in the CoB, at MSU, and the hands-on nature of the faculty.
Clark had this to say about the CoB and the preparation for the exam.
“While other schools boast name recognition, we had access to something different. We had five finance professors that were willing to develop personal relationships with their students outside of the classroom and simultaneously create an excitement and passion for finance. There is no better motivator than knowing you have a great set of mentors behind you every step of the way, especially when you are devoting a large chunk of your life to studying for exams that many people consider ‘life ruining.’ I’m hoping that the obsession with finance that I picked up on the fourth floor of Reid will take me a lot farther in my career than having an Ivy League stamp on my resume.”
This first exam tested topics ranged from ethical standards and securities valuation to financial statement analysis and portfolio management. Owens said the key components to doing well on the test were diligence in study habits and a solid foundation gained through the finance program. He described sacrifices ranging from reduced sleep patterns and lack of social interaction to having the bulk of his daily caloric intake come from coffee.
Owens is pleased with the outcome of the first exam but he is already looking to the next test and is up to his neck in textbooks and study materials. “The finance faculty’s dedication and excellence in instruction more than adequately prepared us for the Level I exam and will continue to guide us in our studies throughout the next two rounds,” says Owens. We wish them all the best of luck.
News
The International Business student club has paired up with the MSU Office of International Programs and the Montana Center for International Visitors to kickoff the first ever International Film Festival. It will run every Wednesday starting February 10 and running through March 10 with each film focusing on a different part of the world. Each film has been selected for its ability to describe the human spirit in challenging time - different cultures, different dilemmas; but same human emotions and reactions.
The film lineup is as follows:
- February 10 - Habana Blues (Cuba)
- February 24 - Kebab Connection (Germany)
- March 3 - Still Life (China)
- March 10 - Bamako (Mali)
Each film viewing will be held on the Montana State University campus in Linfield 125. Films start at 7:00p.m. with a discussion to follow for those who would like to stay and participate. Light snacks will be provided, compliments of World Market and MSU’s student international clubs.
For more information please contact the Montana Center for International Visitors’ office at 406.994.4887 or at mtcenter@montana.edu.
News
The BBCC provides one-on-one writing support to students enrolled in business courses. Business writing professionals coach students on oral presentations and written assignments, including basic grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and tenses, and business themes, content and organization of material.
Students enrolled in business courses may schedule an appointment with a communications coach in the BBCC through our 24-hour online scheduling service: http://web-appointments.com/popup.php?kn=15162.
For more information about the BBCC please check out our website: http://www.montana.edu/cob/bracken/bbcc.htm.
News
The Montana State University College of Business Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Club will host a free lecture on professional ethics, with guest speaker Carson Taylor, on January 26 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The information session with Taylor, the newly elected City Commissioner, will take place in the Strand Union Building, Room 233, and will address major ethical issues facing the modern business world.
Door prizes, including tickets to the Ellen Theater, Bridger Bowl ski area and Big Sky Resort, will be given out at the lecture.
SIFE, an international non-profit organization, works with business and higher education leaders to mobilize university students to develop socially responsible business leadership skills and make a difference in their communities. The SIFE club applies business concepts to develop outreach projects which improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. They plan on participating in regional and national competitions against other campuses by presenting the results of their projects to business leaders.
For more information about SIFE, contact Gary Bishop, advisor, at 994-7017 or gbishop@montana.edu.
News
Make a Difference. Reduce Taxes. Do Good.
If these are some of your 2009 goals, I have good news - THERE IS STILL TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! And doing so is easy.
Whether through a general contribution, an endowed scholarship, a gift annuity, a will, or a trust, every gift to the Montana State University (MSU) Foundation helps ensure that MSU College of Business students and faculty achieve and succeed in unparalleled ways. With your support, 2009 has been another year of remarkable achievements.So if supporting MSU is something you’re interested in doing, please don’t hesitate. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The time is always tight to do what is right.”
To give on-line using a credit card, visit giving.montana.edu. If you prefer to mail your gift, be sure it is post-marked on or before December 31st to qualify for any 2009 tax benefits.
If you have questions or want to make a non-cash gift (e.g. stocks, life insurance, trusts, real estate, etc.) contact Jackie Sather at jsather@montana.edu or 406-994-6766. We’re always happy to help you meet your goal of supporting MSU and the College of Business.
News
Another semester is wrapping up; students turn in final projects, take final exams and wrap up final presentations. The College of Business would like to congratulate everyone on another great semester. The holiday season is fast approaching and at this time of holiday celebration, our thoughts turn gratefully to all of you who have made our progress possible. May the joy of the holiday season be with you throughout the coming year.
News
THIS WEEK (November 30 - December 4)
Tuesday, December 1: International Business Club (IBC) cultural party night (6:30-7:30 pm in Reid 202)
Information will be provided for those participating in the IBC’s annual trip. Interested in a leadership position or more information about the IBC? Please contact: msuinternational@gmail.com or advisor Susan McAllister, smcallister@montana.edu
Wednesday, December 2: Human Resource and Management Club (HRMC) - Guest Speaker, Mike Hope (5:30 pm in Reid 202)
Mr. Mike Hope is a MSU CoB alumnus, has worked in upper management for Miller Lite and has small business experience as owner and manager of the Rocking R Bar, Mixers and Ferraros Fine Italian Restaurant. Mr. Hope will give advice to students about a career in management and his professional experiences. Questions? Email hr_mgmt_club@yahoo.com and join the HR Management Club on Facebook. Come early to get a free bite from the HRMC.
Wednesday, December 2: Finance Club - Recent MSU Finance Grads: Where are they now? (6:10 pm in Reid 401)
Attend the panel consisting of recent graduates Kelly Smith - Edward Jones, Mike Antonczyck - Profitable Ideas and Rose Timmer - Western Bank. Refreshments served. Questions? Email mikel.erickson@msu.montana.edu.
News
Andrew Field, Founder and President of PrintingForLess.com in Livingston, Montana, will discuss “Doing it in Montana: Building ‘America’s Print Shop,’” on Tuesday, November 17. The 50-minute session will begin at 4:10 p.m. in the Strand Union Building’s Procrastinator Theater on the Montana State University (MSU) campus.
Field first learned to operate a printing press while in high school in San Mateo, CA. He worked in the printing industry intermittently over the next 20 years, including stints working for printers in California and Minnesota.
He moved to Montana in 1989 and founded two automotive-related businesses before launching PrintingForLess.com (PFL). Field started PFL with a simple idea, making it easy and affordable to buy four-color printing from anywhere, anytime. In 1996, he tapped the power of the Internet to build the first online commercial printing company. Today PFL serves over 80,000 small business customers nationwide.
About the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum
In its 21st year, the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum brings accomplished and inspiring professionals to MSU’s College of Business to deliver large, open-forum lectures and to share their expertise and experience with students in the classroom. David B. Orser, a 1966 MSU graduate, began funding the program in 1988 to inspire MSU business students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible and ethical business leaders.
For further information about the David Orser Executive Speakers Forum, please contact Audrey Lee at 406-994-7026 or e-mail: audrey.lee@montana.edu.
News
