San Sisto College in Carina has taken out the $1000 first prize in a forensic investigation competition run by Griffith University.

Year 11 and Year 12 students from three Brisbane schools took part in the CPA Australia-sponsored competition as part of Careers in Commerce Day, hosted by Griffith Business School at its Nathan campus.

Mt Gravatt State High School took second place, claiming a $600 prize, while Browns Plains State High School was awarded the $400 prize for third place.

The CPA Australia Forensic Investigation Competition required students to consider a number of workplace scenarios.

“Each team had to work out how they would investigate if fraud was occurring in a business situation,” Professor Peter Best from Griffith’s Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, said.

“They had to look for recognised symptoms of fraud and propose strategies they would put in place to prevent fraud.

“The students showed a tremendous aptitude for forensic investigation and the standard of entry was very high.”

Along with their prizes, which also included book vouchers for each school, the students will have returned to their respective schools with a greater understanding of the many and varied careers they can pursue with a commerce degree.

During the morning and afternoon sessions of the Careers in Commerce Day, students heard how qualifications in business law, economics, finance, financial planning and accounting could open a range of employment opportunities.

Sean Marjason (PricewaterhouseCoopers) and Troy Rieck (Queensland Investment Corporation) presented lively industry perspectives, while Griffith University financial planning lecturer Adrian Judd described the journey for commerce students, emphasising the value of being a university graduate.

Griffith business graduates, Stephanie Parsons and Nicky Lonergan also addressed students.

Stephanie (21) will take up a graduate position with the Reserve Bank of Australia next year on completion of her honours year economics thesis. Nicky described how she returned to Griffith to complete a double degree, majoring in accounting and financial economics. She is currently a manager at SVPartners working in the area of insolvency.