Breaking Into The Top 3 Nationally! UMN Accounting Students Demonstrate Collaboration and Analytical Sharpness at Accounting Festival 2026

UMN Accounting Study Program students, Cordelie Kesita Tecia (second from left), Vania Gita Gunawan (third from left), and Hieronimus Daniel (far right), successfully won 3rd Place at the national-level “Accounting Festival 2026” organized by Tarumanagara University (UNTAR).

TANGERANG – Universitas Multimedia Nusantara’s Accounting Study Program has once again achieved a national-level accomplishment through a student team that secured 3rd-place in the “Accounting Festival 2026” organized by Tarumanagara University (UNTAR) on May 26, 2026. This competition was joined by dozens of teams from various universities across Indonesia, making it one of the most competitive events in accounting.

From the initial stage, participants faced a multi-layered selection process, beginning with a preliminary round of accounting questions, a semifinal round involving case studies and paper writing, and a final round that combined various challenges in strategy, speed, and analytical accuracy. This format required the competition to test not only theoretical understanding but also critical thinking skills under time pressure.

The UMN team consisted of 2023 UMN Accounting students: Hieronimus Daniel, Vania Gita Gunawan, and Cordelie Kesita Tecia. One of the team representatives, Hieronimus, explained that the competition structure was one of the factors that set Accounting Festival 2026 apart from other accounting competitions.

“‘Accounting Festival 2026’ is a national-level accounting competition organized by Tarumanagara University. The competition consists of several stages, starting with the preliminary round containing accounting questions, then the semifinal round involving case study analysis and paper writing, to the final round which consists of various challenges such as the Accounting Escape Challenge, Accounting Quiz, and Accounting Auction,” Hieronimus explained.

He added that the biggest challenge in this competition lay in applying accounting knowledge within a limited time while maintaining team cohesion in decision-making.

“Dividing responsibilities and being aware of each other’s weaknesses to compensate for them is the key to our team,” Hieronimus explained.

Compared to accounting competitions in general, “Accounting Festival 2026” featured a more varied format, combining questions, case studies, and strategy-based challenges. One of the most prominent, said Hieronimus, was the Accounting Auction session in the final round, which required participants to make risk-based decisions.

As a national-level competition, “Accounting Festival 2026” brought together students from prominent universities in Indonesia, including the University of Indonesia, BINUS, Gadjah Mada University, and PKN STAN, creating highly competitive conditions from the outset.

Leading up to the competition, the team prepared systematically by dividing learning focuses according to each member’s strengths. The materials studied covered various fields, such as PSAK (Financial Accounting Standards), auditing, taxation, and management accounting, which were then reinforced with practice questions and case study simulations within specific time limits.

“Our preparation began by dividing the material to be studied, then reviewing various accounting topics that often appear in competitions, such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, PSAK, and management accounting. Additionally, we also practiced solving questions from previous years’ competitions and discussed approaches that could be used in solving case studies. Approaching the final round, we did more discussion simulations and practiced answering questions under time-constrained conditions,” Hieronimus explained.

Role distribution was also an important factor in team effectiveness. Each member had a different focus of expertise, but all decisions were made through group discussions to ensure the optimal results. Hieronimus said that open communication and mutual trust were the keys throughout the competition. He also revealed that the right strategy was needed in handling each part of the competition—how to gain and maintain position.

From a competency perspective, the team assessed that analytical ability, speed of thinking, and strategic decision-making were the aspects most tested in this competition.

“It is not enough to only know accounting theory or standards. All participants in this competition must also be able to think quickly and understand the questions. Determining strategies to respond to other teams’ actions was also part of our strategy. Furthermore, the ability to work under pressure and manage strategy also greatly determined the final results. Speed in responding and answering questions was highly tested in this competition,” said Hieronimus.

According to Hieronimus, academic support from UMN’s Accounting Study Program was also an important factor in this achievement. Learning that combines theory, case studies, and class discussions is considered to help students develop analytical and time-management skills.

“Learning at UMN’s Accounting Study Program has been very helpful for us, especially in building a strong foundational understanding of accounting concepts and critical thinking skills. During lectures, we don’t only learn theory but are also often given case studies and assignments that train our ability to analyze questions quickly,” Hieronimus said.

The team’s supervising lecturer and UMN Accounting Study Program faculty member, Patricia Diana, S.E., M.B.A., CPA., Cert SF, assessed that this achievement reflects the learning system of UMN’s Accounting Study Program, which has been designed to meet industry needs while also strengthening students’ soft skills.

“This success is tangible evidence of the Accounting Study Program’s learning throughout the students’ time at UMN, because the curriculum has been designed to meet industry needs and the accounting knowledge required. Not only related to academics, but this achievement also proves that the Accounting Study Program continues to develop soft skills for students so they have complete soft and hard skills,” Patricia said.

She also highlighted the core competencies shown by the student team, ranging from academic abilities to readiness to compete. Additionally, UMN’s Accounting Study Program provides support through tutorial classes, intensive communication between lecturers and students, and training programs for students participating in competitions.

“All courses in UMN’s Accounting Study Program are equipped with tutorial classes, and communication between lecturers and students is always well-maintained, which can encourage students’ willingness and participation in training programs for those willing to join competitions,” Patricia said.

For the student team, this achievement is not only a victory but also a learning experience that strengthens collaboration skills, composure under pressure, and courage in decision-making. They believe this experience is an initial step toward facing greater academic and professional challenges in the future.

By Melinda Chang | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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