Secondary students from Rainbow Schools will showcase their business skills at the second annual FCR Accounting Case Study Competition on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The event, hosted by Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP, will take place from 9 am to 1:30 pm at the Holiday Inn.
For the competition, some 52 business-savvy students in Grades 10 to 12 from Rainbow Schools and Sudbury Catholic Schools will compete in teams of four to solve a real community business challenge for the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Students will be given a judging rubric and case study, and will have 90 minutes to develop a solution.
"We're proud to once again host the annual Accounting Case Study Competition," says Ian FitzPatrick, Partner at Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP. "This year, we're excited to partner with the Sudbury Theatre Centre to provide students with real-world business challenges that bring accounting concepts to life. It's a wonderful opportunity to engage future leaders and highlight the creativity and problem-solving that drive our profession."
"This competition is an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their collaboration and communication skills," said Kerry-Lynn Martel, Curriculum Co-ordinator with Rainbow District School Board. "Students will be able to apply their classroom knowledge to solve a real community challenge."
There will be two judging rooms. In random order, student teams will have five minutes to present their ideas to a panel of four judges - an accountant from Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP, a representative from the Sudbury Theatre Centre and one judge each from Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The presentations will conclude with a three-minute question period.
Judges will score projects out of a possible 20 points using select criteria including problem identification, SWOT Analysis, alternatives, final recommendations, implementation, questions answered, professionalism and presentation skills.
While judges deliberate, representatives from Cambrian College and Laurentian University business programs will speak with students about program opportunities and experiences.
A $250 academic bursary will be given to each member of the successful first place team within each judging room, as well as a "Discover Accounting Day" with FCR accountants for their class to learn more about the profession. Second and third place teams will receive prizes including Sudbury Theatre Centre tickets and FCR swag.
"We're excited to see our business students apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems at the local level," said Amanda Barry, Secondary Literacy Co-ordinator with Rainbow District School Board. "We extend best wishes to all participants."
Agenda
Accounting Case Study Competition
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
9 am to 9:30 am - Welcome and Introductions
9:30 am to 11 am - Case Study Team Collaboration
11 am to 11:45 am - Lunch and FCR Presentation
11:45 am to 1 pm - Judging and Post-Secondary Booths
1 pm to 1:30 pm - Awards and Closing Remarks
