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CORVALLIS, Ore. – A team of four accounting students from Oregon State University's College of Business took second prize in the recent 2009 Berntson Porter/University of Washington Master of Professional Accounting Tax Competition in Seattle.

Ken Bakondi, Rafiha Bitar, Kara Brausen and Fadi Opgenorth solved complex tax-planning problems and took home a $2,000 prize after competing against 15 other teams, nine of which were from the University of Washington.

In the final round, the OSU students had to create a tax plan for a fictional couple in dispute with one another over various aspects of their business and investment activities and then present their solutions to a panel of judges.

College of Business faculty members Larry Brown, Roger Graham and Jared Moore advised the team. Funds for travel to the competition were provided by OSU accounting alumni.

“Our OSU students continue to amaze," said Moore, the Mary Ellen Phillips Assistant Professor of Accounting. "Even with a brand new team, this is the second year we’ve finished in the top two with style.”

Moore said the students worked for four hours to create a presentation that involved complicated tax planning. The presentation was set up as a client interview in front of the judges.

OSU accounting students have surpassed the national average on the Certified Public Accounting Exam for the last four years.