The student team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) won the First National Title in the 2025 National Student Competition in Business, Management, and Finance (KBMK) organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. The competition took place at Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), Tangerang, from Oct. 23 to 26, 2025, with the winners announced on Sunday (Oct. 26).
The UGM team, comprising Aurora Btari Maharani Putri Suhendi, Della Nurhaliza, and M. Hilmy Naufal from the Accounting Study Program at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), Class of 2022, excelled in the investigative audit competition, focusing on government procurement of goods and services.
Their strength lay in a comprehensive and balanced analytical approach that combined technical aspects of investigative auditing with sound governance strategies through well-targeted improvement recommendations.
The three students shared that their main motivation for joining the competition was their deep interest in auditing. They mentioned that this was not their first experience competing in the field.
“We have participated in several internal and external audit competitions, and through those experiences, we wanted to broaden our understanding of investigative auditing,” said Aurora Btari Maharani Putri Suhendi on Tuesday (Nov. 4).
In this competition, Suhendi explained, their primary task was to conduct investigative analyses to uncover potential fraud in the government’s procurement process for goods and services.
“We were responsible for identifying indications of fraud through detailed analysis and developing corresponding recommendations,” she added.
Through intensive collaboration and a clear division of roles, the team combined analytical skills, attention to detail, and investigative reasoning to deliver their best results, both in their written report and final presentation before the judging panel.
Suhendi was responsible for case analysis and storyline development, Della Nurhaliza focused on developing investigative audit programs and procedures, and M. Hilmy Naufal handled the audit report and recommendations. Beyond their defined roles, the three supported each other throughout brainstorming sessions, presentation simulations, and report finalization.
“This solid collaboration was one of the main factors behind our success in overcoming various challenges during the competition,” Naufal remarked.
Throughout the competition, the team developed its ideas and analyses using two main strategies. First, they actively sought input and guidance from their faculty supervisors, which helped them view the problems from broader and more objective perspectives. Second, they implemented a clear and structured division of tasks, with each member responsible for specific aspects ranging from data analysis and policy review to report writing and presentation preparation.
“This strategy allowed us to work efficiently and complement each other’s strengths, ensuring that our final output was comprehensive and completed on time,” Suhendi explained.
Nurhaliza shared that their preparation process involved studying previous years’ cases to identify common analytical patterns and recurring issues in investigative auditing. They also sought mentorship from their lecturers and past KBMK winners to gain insights on effective analysis strategies, report structuring, and presentation delivery.
The team also ensured a strategic distribution of roles aligned with each member’s expertise to maintain workflow efficiency. On the other hand, they recognized the importance of balance by managing adequate rest to stay focused and productive throughout the preparation and competition stages.
According to Nurhaliza, the investigative audit case they worked on closely reflected real-world conditions, particularly in the government procurement process. Issues such as alleged collusion and weak internal controls remain common, making similar cases valuable for further research, forensic audit training, and enhancing public governance policy.
As technology advances and transparency demands increase, investigative audit approaches can continue to adapt, for instance, through e-procurement systems and digital auditing.
“So, even though the case in the competition was a simulation, its essence remains highly relevant and holds great potential for real-world application and development,” Nurhaliza explained.
She added that through sustained collaboration, the team hopes their achievement will inspire more UGM students to pursue excellence and make a broader impact.
“We hope this accomplishment is not just a temporary source of pride, but also an inspiration for students to bring collaborative and innovative spirit into every academic, research, and community engagement activity,” she concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: UGM KBMK Team