Accounting
AICPA Honors Fadi Shamoun with Medal of Inspiration Award
The award, sponsored by the AICPA, is given to a Beta Alpha Psi student member who has experienced extreme hardships and demonstrated an unusually high level of success despite that adversity. The award, which was presented during the Beta Alpha Psi ...
Jul. 22, 2021
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has named Fadi Shamoun, an undergraduate student at the Swinburne University of Technology, as the winner of the 2021 Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) Medal of Inspiration Award.
The award, sponsored by the AICPA, is given to a Beta Alpha Psi student member who has experienced extreme hardships and demonstrated an unusually high level of success despite that adversity. The award, which was presented during the Beta Alpha Psi virtual Annual Meeting, includes a $5,000 cash stipend.
“Fadi demonstrated perseverance and dedication to his educational goals despite challenges which makes him a fitting recipient of this award,” said Anna Howard, Senior Manager of Academic Initiatives, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants representing AICPA & CIMA.
In 2013, as a young high school student in Iraq, Fadi dreamt becoming an accountant when he grew up. Unfortunately, political unrest and instability in many areas of Iraq forced Fadi and his family to move to Turkey in hopes for a safer environment. With little resources, Fadi was not able to attend or finish high school in Turkey. He made the difficult choice to leave his family and friends and moved to Australia. With the limited financial resources on his own, Fadi pursued remedial courses and was able to obtain a certificate in accounting.
However, Fadi knew that in order to seek employment with a professional accounting firm, he needed to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Despite financial struggles and not being a native English speaker, Fadi applied for and received several awards and scholarships to enroll in a three-year university to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
Through the process, Fadi remained dedicated to his goals and overcame adversity of poverty, depression and cultural barriers. The student awards and scholarships he received were a lifeline to the future he had always dreamed of.
“The Medal of Inspiration award is designed to recognize a BAP member who achieves despite extreme hardship and challenges. Fadi exemplifies the spirit of what this award celebrates. He has experienced war, lack of access to education and economic challenges in his home country. He was willing to leave family and move to another continent to pursue his dream of becoming an accountant. Despite having to support himself while attending school, Fadi has established an exemplary academic record. BAP is proud to have Fadi as a member and we congratulate him on this award,” said Rita Grant, Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors President.