Jackie Battles, a University of North Texas financial planning senior, was recently awarded second place in the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants’ National Financial Plan Competition out of 98 other teams and individuals from 15 universities across the United States.

“The entire experience has solidified my decision for wanting to work in this industry,” Battles said. “The competition provided a way for me to discover how to apply what I learned in the classroom to a real world scenario.”

The competition is for undergraduate students in a financial services curriculum and requires them to create a reality-based financial plan using data from a fictional family. The plan has to include income tax analysis, cash flow analysis, a net worth statement, a college education fund, a retirement fund, life, disability and long-term care insurance analysis, an estate plan analysis and asset allocation recommendations.

“Jackie’s award from the IARFC shows once again that UNT’s Risk Management and Insurance and Financial Planning programs provide a solid path to the world of professional financial services,” said Marilyn Wiley, dean of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. 

After graduation, Battles will work as a financial advisor with TSG Financial Strategies in Dallas, as he studies for the Certified Financial Planner exam in July.