A.I.R. Conference

Date: March 2-7, 2026

Accounting in Reality (AIR), RCAS’s two-day flagship tri-campus conference, kicks off with a case writing workshop. Students from across all three University of Toronto campuses are invited to participate in initiatives throughout the week aimed at developing analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, client-facing and presentation skills. At the Kickoff Event, students network directly with the case partner’s representatives by asking general case related questions and learning about the real-world dynamics governing their industry. From the workshop, students learn how to effectively tackle a case.

In preparation for the symposium, students participate in a workshop mid-week where students hear from a CPA Ontario representative and learns case presentation etiquette. This workshop is a valuable platform for students to voice their presentation concerns and gain insightful, practical, and actionable advice from CPA Ontario. Competencies like public speaking, body language, presentation, answering questions, and the importance of timing will be highlighted throughout the session. Students are welcomed to leverage this opportunity to optimize their experience and performance on symposium day.

The final day of AIR centers around the team presentations and extensive engagement with firm representatives. The symposium begins by students presenting their team’s case solutions to a pane of judges consisting of the case partner and Big 4 representatives. In the afternoon, students participate in workshops facilitated by the Big 4 firms to learn about upcoming recruitment opportunities and how they can make themselves stand out. Following the finalists’ presentations and judges’ deliberation, the day concludes with a firm-centered networking session.

The symposium will provide students the opportunity to showcase the technical soft skills they have developed throughout the week to the Big 4 firm representatives, while expanding their networks.