CBA sets real record in business simulation

The Capstone and Foundation Business Simulation Challenge is a global online competition which pits thousands of business students against each other twice per year. Students demonstrate business acumen and critical thinking skills, among other skills, in the online challenge.

For the fourth semester in a row and the best university record in the U.S., BGSU has a Top 6 Capsim Finalist - Nate Hackworth, specializing in accounting and finance.   

Hackworth said his simulation experience helped prepare him for his career. “The simulation gave me the opportunity to look at and become familiar with several different performance metrics,” he said. “I now have a better understanding of a company's financial statements in relation to their performance.”

Hackworth stated that the most enjoyable part of the competition was "seeing the results.” “It is enjoyable to play around with the numbers while forecasting, and then seeing an accurate prediction," he said. "If my prediction was not as accurate, then there is something to be learned for the next round. It’s a dynamic experience.”

BGSU accounting lecturer, James Zeigler, is a major advocate for competing in Capsim. He is excited to see such outstanding success by our students. “We now have four consecutive individual Top-6 Challenge Foundation finalists, along with a Top 6 Team, over the past three years. According to Capsim, no other university has accomplished this feat.”

Zeigler states the simulation provides a great opportunity for students. “Benefits of simulation include critical thinking, communication skills and teamwork development.  Further, engagement is increased when students fully control the outcome of the decision-making process. Our students recognize all elements of business must work together to achieve organizational success. The simulation offers a rich, real-world dynamic experience not found in any textbook.” 

BGSU business students are introduced to Foundation in the sophomore undergraduate managerial accounting courses and then Capstone (Global DNA) in the senior-level business management courses.

According to Zeigler, “The primary goals include the use of accounting information to support the management decision-making process, an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of business and the importance of strategic analysis.  After completing the course simulation, the Challenge represents an excellent opportunity for students to test their business knowledge and acumen against international peers.”

Hackworth is a senior and was able to compete in the final round while studying abroad at Hong Kong Baptist University because the simulation challenge is an online competition. This was the second study abroad experience for the BGSU student who also studied in Nantes, France.

Zeigler works with fellow BGSU accounting lecturer Brian Rohrs who also uses the business simulation in his classes.