Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are changing how businesses manage money and make decisions every day. For the International Digital Accounting & Fraud (IDAF) program, helping the next generation understand and adapt to these changes is a key mission. That’s why the International Accounting Competition (IAC) 2025 was created—not only as a stage for high school students to test their accounting skills, but also as an opportunity to explore how AI and digital accounting are shaping the future of finance and business.
IAC 2025 is an international competition designed for senior high school students, jointly organized by IDAF and the International Business Accounting (IBAcc) programs, School of Business Management (SBM) of PCU in collaboration with Tymba Education, Malaysia. On Saturday, 16 August 2025, IAC 2025 officially commenced at the Amphitheatre, Q Building, Petra Christian University (PCU). This year’s competition carried the theme “Break the Biz: Crash the Limits, Create the Future” and was supported by Viva Cosmetics, Barenbliss, Tomoro Coffee, Puffa, Cheers, 2Tang, Bantex, A&T Lighting, and Yureka Photobooth.
A total of 62 teams from leading senior high schools in Surabaya took part in the competition, including SMA Katolik St. Louis 1, SMA Kristen Petra 1, SMA Kristen Petra 2, SMA Kristen Petra 5, SMA Kristen Petra Acitya, Mawar Sharon Christian School, SMA Little Sun, SMA Santa Maria Surabaya, SMA Kristen Gloria 1. The competition day began with two sessions of rally games, featuring games such as:
- Asset Exchange, where participants exchanged points for assets to earn bonus points.
- Balance Breaker, challenging students to detect and correct errors in a Trial Balance and prepare a proper Statement of Financial Position.
- Sugar Race Tournament, a fast-paced quiz covering business management, financial accounting, and management accounting.
Following the games, participants attended an engaging seminar on the theme “AI and Your Wallet: How Technology is Changing Financial Choices”. Distinguished speakers included Akmal Aizat Bin Azmi (Tutor, Tymba Education, Malaysia), Dr. Saarce Elsye Hatane, S.E., MBA., Ak., CMA., CA. (Head of Accounting Department, PCU), Sany, S.E., MS-CIS, Ph.D. (Head of IDAF, PCU), and Alan Darmasaputra, S.E., MPacc., MBus., CMA., Cert. DA (Head of IBAcc, PCU).
After a full day of challenges, six teams advanced to the final round:
- Team Beebop (SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
- Team Pacioli (SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
- Team Chindo Sukses (SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
- Team Devdan (SMA Kristen Petra 5)
- Team Pakli (SMA Little Sun)
- Team Chasio Goreng Madu (SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
The competition concluded with outstanding achievements:
- 1st Place: Team Chasio Goreng Madu – Alvianno Rodderick Lim & Darren Fernando Wiyono (Grade 11, SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
- 2nd Place: Team Pacioli – Jedidiah Budiman & Regina Shannon Khusworo (Grade 12, SMA Katolik St. Louis 1)
- 3rd Place: Team Pakli – Liam Esveraldo Go & Jessica Fiona Hariono (Grade 12, SMA Little Sun)
The grand prize of IAC 2025 amounted to a total of IDR 40,000,000-, consisting of cash prizes as well as scholarships to the IBAcc or IDAF programs at PCU. In addition, the competition also featured a Gold Prize for the referral code winner, along with special awards for Most Valuable Players (MVPs) and Finalists, ensuring recognition for outstanding achievements beyond the championship titles.
IAC 2025 successfully combined fun, competition, and academic excellence—celebrating the next generation of accounting leaders while highlighting the impact of technology on the future of finance.
(Gabrielle Kurniawan)
Winner of Prize 2 (third and fourth from left), Prize 1 (5th and 6th from left), and Prize 3 (3rd and 4th from right)
