Warrington Students Secure Third Place in National Deloitte Tax Competition

A team of five students from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business celebrated their third place victory against 15 other teams in the Deloitte FanTAXtic case competition. Mackenzie Cooley (BSAc ’25), Linneliet Castellanos Carbonell (BSAc ’26), Liliana Bajacan (BSAc ’27), Rebekka D’Auria (BSAc ’27) and Sofia Smoudianis (BSAc ’27) earned their spot in the national finals after finishing among the top teams in the regional competition in October. 

In the first round, 72 teams competed from eight regions. Competing against nine other teams, the University of Florida’s team analyzed the tax liabilities of a fictional company and ultimately recommended structuring the business as a C corporation. The experience was a valuable learning opportunity, helping the team refine their tax research and collaboration skills in preparation for nationals.

“This case competition experience was different from any group project we had done before,” the team shared. “We had to learn each other’s strengths quickly, which helped us work effectively under the constraints at nationals.”

Driven by their previous success, the team regrouped for the national event. To refine their approach, they analyzed previous tax codes, calculations and deliverables, ensuring they were prepared for the advanced challenges ahead.

“[Clinical Professor] Dr. [Michael] Schadewald’s counsel was invaluable throughout the process,” said the team. “His unwavering guidance and confidence in our ideas further pushed us to strive for excellence and, ultimately, put forth our best performance.”

The national competition challenged students to build upon their regional case. In the first phase, the team evaluated whether a corporate tax rate reduction would impact their recommendation and determined that incorporating as a C corporation remained the best choice. In phase two, they focused on the most tax-efficient payment structure for the owners, opting for salaries and bonus depreciation based on tax liability calculations.

Time constraints were one of the biggest challenges, with teams required to complete analyses and presentations in just a few hours. Unlike the regional competition, which spanned a month, nationals demanded quick thinking and teamwork.

“What truly allowed us to succeed despite these challenges was our ability to lean on and trust one another,” they shared. “Winning third place overall and sharing that joy as a team was an unforgettable bonding moment! We felt extremely proud to have represented the University of Florida well with this achievement.”

For their hard-earned victory, a $2,500 prize was awarded to the Fisher School of Accounting as well as $500 given to each student. Additionally enriching was the opportunity to network with Deloitte professionals and fellow competitors. This experience also helped solidify the students’ interest in tax-related careers.  

“Participating in these competitions gave us valuable insight into what a career in tax services might look like in a public accounting firm,” said the team. “The hands-on experience has boosted our confidence, and we are now more intentional about speaking and networking with tax professionals who can offer further insight and potential growth opportunities.”

The UF team’s outstanding performance at the national competition highlights their dedication, adaptability and problem-solving skills. Their experience not only provided valuable insights into the world of tax accounting but also reinforced their passion for the field.