Finance Competitions at EY

EY is an international firm providing services in audit, consulting, tax, law, and risk management. Its professionalism is affirmed by globally recognized partners such as Microsoft, SAP, and IBM. EY collaborates with the largest companies, including 72% of firms from the Forbes Global 2000 list and 84% from the Fortune Global 500 List. In addition to corporate services, EY places a strong emphasis on student development, organizing three key competitions in Poland: EY Financial Challenger, Audit OdyssEY, and EYe on Tax. Beyond cash prizes, each competition offers participants the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge through competition. Each competition has a distinct profile, targeted at different groups of students whose skills are honed throughout the competition. The top three teams, in addition to tangible rewards, receive job offers from EY.

EY Financial Challenger

The first competition focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Participants can register in teams of 3-4 or individually, with individuals being assigned to teams in the second stage. The first round involves solving mini-cases related to valuations, mergers, acquisitions, and financial modelling, with all tasks conducted in English. In the second stage, teams prepare an information memorandum. In the final, the best participants develop a comprehensive case concerning the acquisition or sale of a company. This competition provides an excellent opportunity for those planning a career in the M&A sector, allowing them to assess the necessary skills and knowledge while also evaluating whether this is the right career path.
The top three teams are awarded cash and tangible prizes, along with job offers at EY, making this competition particularly valuable.

The first stage takes place in October/November, the second in December/January, and the final in March. The final is held at the EY headquarters, and travel and accommodation expenses are fully covered by the organizer, enabling students from all over Poland to participate.

The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students, with the exception of EY employees and competitors, ensuring neutrality and fairness in the results.

Audit OdyssEY

The Audit OdyssEY competition, as the name suggests, focuses on audit-related issues, but its format differs from the Financial Challenger. After successfully completing the first stage, participants proceed to a series of three workshops. The first two workshops are devoted to the processes and theory applied in auditing, while the third workshop requires participants to apply their acquired knowledge in practice. Participants who perform best in the workshops are invited to the final, which involves a full day of tasks based on real-world projects. The theoretical and practical knowledge required includes key skills essential in auditing, such as industry expertise, risk analysis, strategy planning, and building relationships with clients and other departments.

Prizes for this competition include tangible and cash rewards, as well as job offers at EY. An additional incentive is a voucher for ACCA training, an internationally recognized certification in fields such as audit, accounting, and strategic planning, providing a valuable opportunity for individuals looking to expand their knowledge and skills.

The competition starts in March, with workshops held in April, and the final takes place in May.

EYe on Tax

The EYe on Tax competition focuses on legal and tax advisory matters. Participants must demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply it to real-world legal and tax situations, akin to the work performed for clients. After passing the first stage, similar to the Audit OdyssEY competition, participants attend workshops tailored to their specific needs. These workshops are based on the analysis of real cases. After the workshops, participants select two case studies on which they prepare responses. The best participants qualify for the final, where, working in teams, they conduct a mock trial before judges of the Supreme Administrative Court. This approach emphasizes the use of realistic examples that may arise in professional practice.

The competition also features a unique element in the form of "EYRO" currency, which can be exchanged for additional workshops in the second stage.

Prizes are awarded starting from the second stage, but the most significant cash and tangible rewards are reserved for the third stage. At that point, participants from the two best teams also receive job offers in selected tax advisory teams or at the EY Law office. The workshops are conducted in a hybrid format.

Summary

The competitions organized by EY provide a vital platform for professional development, especially for individuals interested in the financial sector. Participants have the opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge, which they can apply in real-world professional situations. A common feature of these competitions is the chance to develop skills that will be useful in future careers. Additionally, for the most talented participants, there are not only cash prizes but also the possibility of employment at EY.

To prove the employment possibilities at EY, one could take a look at an interview with EY Financial Challenger winner from 2009 edition – Michał Płotnicki, current partner in EY M&A team. Future champions could follow his steps.