Business students from across Ontario will put their management skills to the test this weekend at the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario) second annual case competition, being held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at McMaster.

Nearly every university in Ontario will be represented at the competition: 140 students, organized in 36 teams, from 18 Ontario universities. The winning team will receive $5,000 and the second place team will receive $2,500.

During the competition, students will put their management leadership skills to the test and, with the use of a computer-based decision-driven simulation, strategically advise a fictional company's senior management on issues of corporate social responsibility and good governance.

Corporate social responsibility is a key focus of the education program that leads to the CMA designation.

“We are pleased to partner with CMA Ontario to host their annual case competition,” said Paul Bates, dean of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster. “This event gives our students an opportunity to test their skills and helps them to realize the importance of corporate social responsibility to the long-term financial success of a business.”

The competition will provide participating students with an understanding of management challenges and issues in regard to corporate social responsibility and good governance. It also provides an opportunity to learn best practices, apply them in a demanding and creative situation, and acquire an appreciation of a business leader's role beyond simple quantitative analysis.

“The second annual CMA Case Competition has been a great success, building on the momentum established by last year's event,” said Howard Johnson '92, chair, 2005-2006 Board of Governors, CMA Ontario. “The participation of virtually every Ontario university demonstrates how many students now view the CMA designation as the best cornerstone for a successful career.”