CREDIT: COURTESY OF BRAD BISHOP
rom left: Students Wel'Andra Francis, Natasha Kronenburgh and Kelsey Ottens were awarded a silver medal for their work at the CIFP Case Challenge with the help of coaches Lynn Okanski and Brad Bishop.

Three Fanshawe College finance students won the silver medal on March 28 at the Eastern Edition of the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning Case Challenge held at Seneca College in Toronto.

Professional Financial Services students Wel’Andra Francis and Kelsey Ottens and Business Finance student Natasha VanKronenburgh had two hours to develop a case analysis, recommendations and an implementation plan based on 11- page case study.

Students then had to make a 15- to 20-minute presentation to a panel of financial services professionals to convince them that their solutions were viable and the most appropriate for the case.

They were judged on their analysis, process, ethical stance and their ability to empathize and show compassion for the client.

“It was stressful,” Ottens said. “It was a busy day, but it was a lot of fun.”

The mock case was about a man who had two children and had just lost his wife who had no will. Students had to look at his education savings, investments, estate planning, taxation, retirement planning and others.

The team was coached by Fanshawe finance faculty members Lynn Okanski, Brad Bishop, Lawrence Lynch and Lesley Quesnelle. Students had been practicing for the case challenge since mid-January.

“I definitely appreciate the support and encouragement that our coaches gave us, because without that, I don’t think we would’ve done as well as we did,” VanKronenburgh said. “I got a lot of valuable experience out of it.”

She says she got to work on her time-management, presentation and teamwork skills at the competition.

“Just working with the coaches on weekly sessions definitely helped me to improve upon my skills and to improve my confidence,” VanKronenburgh said.

The three students each won a $750 certificate towards CIFP courses.

The goal of the competition is to connect financial students in Certified Financial Planner certification programs with sponsored organizations.

“It was a good chance to network with some people in the industry,” Ottens said. “It was just a really good opportunity.”

There were eight groups at the competition, including seven from Ontario and one from Nova Scotia.

The trio from Humber College won the gold, while the group from Conestoga College placed third.

Last year, Fanshawe’s team placed fourth. This is the second year Fanshawe has participated in the CIFP Case Challenge.

“They deserved it,” Okanski said. “They were just so polished and well-prepared.”