2026 PRME Students Sustainability Award

Our mission is to shape the future of the finance and business information professions by empowering the next generation of ethical, innovative, and socially responsible leaders. We achieve this by moving beyond traditional networking to foster multi-touchpoint, community-driven initiatives that challenge industry norms and promote inclusive economic growth. By aligning our operations with the Seven Principles of PRME, particularly Purpose, Values, Teach, and Partner, and actively advancing the SDGs, we aim to demonstrate that the accounting and finance professions are not purely numbers-driven, but are critical vehicles for sustainable development, equitable opportunity, and corporate social responsibility.

BAP Monash advances the SDGs by embedding social impact, ethical leadership, and sustainability into its core initiatives. Our flagship program, Cause Consulting, directly supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by partnering with charities such as Big Group Hug and Mums Supporting Families in Need, where students apply financial and business skills to solve real social challenges.

This aligns with PRME principles such as Purpose (developing responsible leaders), Values (promoting ethical decision-making), and Method (experiential learning). Additionally, initiatives like ESG-focused workshops and sustainability research contributions support SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), reinforcing responsible business education through practical engagement.

BAP Monash adopts a “learning-through-impact” model, combining professional development with real-world social outcomes. Cause Consulting is a key example, where students don’t just learn consulting frameworks or theory, they engage directly with charity operations, complete volunteering with them, and deliver actionable recommendations judged by industry professionals.

We also integrate cross-disciplinary and innovative ideas, such as exploring circular economy initiatives (e.g., textile waste reduction collaborations) and embedding ESG thinking into accounting and finance contexts. This approach moves beyond traditional classroom learning, making education interactive, applied, and socially relevant.

Within the university ecosystem, BAP Monash enhances student employability by bridging the gap between theory and practice through industry engagement, workshops, and competitions. Students gain exposure to real stakeholders, improving both technical and professional skills.

Externally, our partnerships with charities such as Big Group Hug and MSFIN create tangible community impact. For example, through Cause Consulting, students contribute operational insights, fundraising outcomes, and volunteer labour that directly supports vulnerable families. These initiatives ensure that student learning translates into measurable social benefit at the local level.

BAP Monash promotes global cooperation through alignment with internationally recognised frameworks such as the UN SDGs and PRME Principles, ensuring that our initiatives contribute to broader global sustainability goals.

Additionally, through participation in international programs like the PRME Students Sustainability Awards, Deloitte Best Practices competition and engagement with global firms, members are exposed to diverse perspectives on responsible business. This fosters a global mindset, encouraging students to consider cross-border challenges such as sustainability, inequality, and ethical leadership.

Crunching Carbon Workshop - Intro to carbon accounting and ESG reporting with Jessica Richmond (CEO and Co Founder, Sumday), Lindsay Ellis (Co Founder, Sumday) and Hamish Purcell (Assistant Manager - Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY)

Client Relationship Building Workshop (SW Accountants & Advisors collaboration) - Enhancing inclusive communication in professional settings with Amanda Lee (Chief Marketing Officer), Chris Dexter (Partner), Laura Dore (Audit Manager), Carmelin De Francesco (Associate Director) and Francis Ravida (Manager)

Make It Count Podcast Series -

‘Navigating and Thriving in the Recruitment Process’ - Deep-dive into graduate and vacationer recruitment with Liam Brown (Early Careers Talent Consultant, Grant Thornton) and Evelyn Hatzimihalis (Early Careers Advisor, William Buck)

‘Women in Accounting’ - Breaking barriers, encouraging inclusion and building a successful career as a women with Melissa Griffin (Manager of Business Advisory, William Buck)

‘Uncovering Forensic Accounting and Financial Crime’ - Opportunities in forensic accounting with Matthew Tapurau (Senior Manager of Forensics, McGrathNicol)

‘Lessons in Leadership’ - How to be a successful leader in strategy and consulting with Tim Szonyi (Chief Operating Officer, Ashfords)

Cause Consulting (in collaboration with MSFIN, Grant Thornton, CPA Australia and BlueRock) - Consulting competition series for students to present a solution on behalf of a charity to receive donations for them from partnering firms

Inclusive Development Series -

‘Women in Finance and Accounting Panel’ - Negotiating your worth, career growth and work-life balance with Vanessa Morrison (Principal, William Buck), Mandy Findlow (Partner, Bentleys Victoria), Abi Chellapen (Partner, SW Accoutants & Advisory) and Jessica Tenace (Director, Grant Thornton)

‘First Nations Professional Pathways’ - Empowering and engaging with aspiring First Nations professionals with Clare Burns (Assistant Professor, Bond University) and Georgia Kyranis (University Student, Monash University)

‘Empowering Students with Disabilities Workshop and Panel’ - Practical insights and lived experiences to help you thrive in the workplace with Rachael Vassallo (Internal Administrative Officer, Australia Post), Daria Walcak (Program Director - GradWISE, WISE Employment) and Sarah Alexander (Career Coach, WISE Employment)

Financial Management Association of Australia (FMAA) Monash Collaboration - Intern Speaker Panel with student interns from Ernst & Young, IFM Investors, Boeing, Amazon Web Services, Jameson Capital, Kearney, Deloitte, McGrathNicol, KordaMentha and Ashfords

ERP Systems & Modern Business Workshop (Oracle collaboration) - Intro to ERP systems and the Oracle platform with Kaushika Jayalath (Enterprise Solutions Consultant), Josh Dunell (Enterprise Cloud Platform Account Director), Rami Matar (Business Solutions Director), Shad Hasan (Supply Chain Management Consultant) and Brett Ryan (Enterprise Resources Planning Account Director)

University Network of Investing and Trading (UNIT) Monash Collaboration - Finance in Focus panel about investment banking, mergers and acquisitions with Lara Stebbens (Investment Banking Analyst, Goldman Sachs), Tia Yiannoudes (Mergers & Acquisitions, Deloitte), Liam Horrocks (Investment Analyst, AustralianSuper), Dzung Tran (Director - Loan Markets & Syndications, Commonwealth Bank), James Hart (Senior Analyst - Valuations, Deloitte) and Charles Law (Investment Banking Analyst, Jarden)

Computing and Commerce Association collaboration with Ernst & Young - Consulting Frameworks Workshop discussing effective communication and consulting in the workplace

MSFIN Volunteering Sessions - Regular warehouse volunteering for partner charity ‘Mums Supporting Families In Need’

Excel Essentials Workshop (William Buck collaboration) - Intro to Excel skills and practical experience with Evelyn Hatzimihalis (Early Careers Advisor) and Paul Koutsakis (Senior Accountant)

Map Your Major - Info session on mapping out course progression and going through key resources to find new career pathways for first year students

Data 101 (National Australia Bank collaboration) - Deep dive into AI and data processing, accuracy and synchronisation with Mangala Prasetia Wen (Senior Data Steward - Data Governance Manager) and Helena C (Personal Banking)

Frankston High incursion to Monash University - In an effort to address the growing talent shortage facing the accounting profession, we hosted a financial literacy workshop for Year 9 students from Frankston High School at Monash University. The session was designed to challenge common misconceptions about accounting, demonstrating to students that careers in the field extend far beyond numbers, thereby helping to cultivate the next generation of professionals that the industry so critically needs.

UNIT Monash Collaboration with Charted Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CFA Institute - Unlocking Professional Accreditation Night discussing pathways to industry recognised credentials like CA and CFA with Zik Qian (Australian Equities, HESTA), Nga Pham (Associate Professor, Monash University), Edwin Leong (Reporting and Forecasting Lead, Transurban), Shreya Gupta (Equity Analyst, Rest) and Annie Pula (Senior Careers Engagement Consultant, CAANZ)

Beta Alpha Psi University of Sydney collaboration with McKinsey & Company - 2025 McKinsey Case Competition with Harrison Adkin (Business Analyst) and Katie Jones (Analyst)

An Afternoon with MYOB (MYOB collaboration) - Discussions regarding how technology is shaping the future of their business and office with Jack Yeung (Solutions Consultant), James Roberts (Product Manager) and Graeme Scannell (General Manager - Real Estate & Workplace)

CPA and Melbourne BAP chapter collaboration - Global Careers in Accounting and Finance among Victorian Beta Alpha Psi Societies featuring insights on emerging industry trends, leading and developing professional mindsets for an increasingly global career base and personal experiences from Julia Li (Head of Financial Control AU Projects JANZ, Mondelez International), Ajith Abeynaike (Managing Director, Hallmark Cards Australia and New Zealand), Niraj Shah (Senior Finance Business Partner, Shadblot Group) and Jyotee Patel (Senior Vice President - Finance, Altus ACE)

Aneri Ashish Shah, asha0246@student.monash.edu