Case competitions 101

Case competitions are a business challenge where student teams are presented with real-world scenarios, often based on an actual company or industry issue. The teams usually have a limited time to analyze the situation, develop a solution, and present their recommendations to a panel of judges, who are usually industry professionals or company representatives. In some cases, the solutions can influence real business changes and decisions. What makes them so valuable is that they mimic what happens in the real world.

Trish Stringer FCPA, FCMA, FCA is a faculty adviser with the University of Alberta (U of A) who has been coaching teams in case competitions for many years, including the powerhouse U of A teams that have participated and consistently placed in the top three at the CPA Education Foundation’s Business Challenge Case Competition.

Wayne Irvine FCPA, FCA, CFA has been coaching teams in case competitions at the University of Calgary (U of C) for the past two decades, with his team capturing first at the Foundation’s Business Challenge in 2026.

Trish and Wayne offer some insight into the world of case competitions and advice for students interested in getting involved.

How long have you been involved in case competitions?

Trish: I first became involved in case competitions in 2016 through the JDC West Accounting Team. Since then, I have worked with students competing locally, nationally, and internationally in a wide variety of business and accounting case competitions.

Wayne: I’ve been involved in case competitions for 20 years.

How many competitions do you attend each year?

Trish: In a typical year, I am involved with coaching for JDC West, the Foundation’s Business Challenge, and at least one U of A international case competition team. In addition, I regularly serve as a judge for three to five internal case competitions annually.

Wayne: Recently, the Foundation’s Business Challenge, one at Bow Valley College, and an internal competition at the Haskayne School of Business, here at the U of C.

How can students get involved and what is the time commitment?

Trish: Students typically become involved by participating in internal case competitions, attending information sessions, or expressing interest to faculty advisers and returning competitors. At the U of A, students often begin with internal competitions before applying and being selected for external teams. We host more than 20 internal case competitions each year, providing numerous opportunities for students to gain experience.

The time commitment varies significantly depending on the competition. Internal competitions can require anywhere from four to thirty-six hours of work, depending on the case format and complexity.

Wayne: For the Foundation’s Business Challenge, we recruit students from our upper-level accounting course, prioritizing students who are in their last year and have not been in any other competitions. We also try not to have students compete in the Foundation’s competition more than once. Our goal is not to win, but to give as many students as possible a chance to enjoy the experience.

Why should students participate in case competitions?

Trish: Case competitions provide students with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to complex, real-world business problems. They develop critical thinking, analytical skills, communication abilities, teamwork, and professionalism in ways that are difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom environment.

Case competitions also provide students with stories and experiences that distinguish them in job interviews. Employers consistently value candidates who can demonstrate problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and the ability to perform under pressure.

In addition, students develop lasting friendships, build professional networks, and often discover career paths they had not previously considered.

Wayne: Case competitions help students expand their knowledge, learn to think critically, understand client needs, meet other students, improve their speaking skills, and learn how to work with others under time constraints

What advice would you give students participating in a case competition?

Trish: The students who gain the most from case competitions are those who embrace feedback, remain coachable, and continuously seek to improve.

Practice presenting as much as you practice solving cases.

Trust your teammates. The strongest teams leverage the diverse strengths of each member rather than expecting everyone to contribute in exactly the same way.

Finally, focus on learning rather than winning. Some of the most successful competitors I have worked with did not win their first competition. The ability to learn from setbacks and return stronger is often what separates good competitors from great ones.

Wayne: My first piece of advice is to get advice from other students who have participated in previous year’s case competitions.

Second, make sure you have a faculty member who is willing to coach you and help you navigate potential scheduling conflicts.

Finally, I advise students to keep in mind that the case will involve business decisions, and they will need to understand not just quantitative considerations, but qualitative considerations as well.