Winner of the Educational Innovations Fund competition at HSE: Multimedia Simulator as a New Standard for Teaching Financial Accounting.

The multimedia business game on financial accounting has won the autumn Educational Innovations Fund competition. The simulator, developed by a team from the Higher School of Business at HSE under the leadership of Yulia Sergeevna Leevik, helps students master complex topics in an engaging format through practical assignments.

The project has already been implemented in the bachelor's programs and successfully tested by hundreds of students. The simulator was developed by a team from the Higher School of Business at HSE under the leadership of Yulia Sergeevna Leevik.
The team included:

• Dmitry Valentinovich Isaev, Department of Financial Management, HSE Business School
• Alexander Nikolaevich Varnavsky, Department of Computer Engineering, MIEM
• Alexander Sergeevich Demin, Department of Operational Management and Logistics, HSE Business School

"Our development addresses two fundamental educational goals. First, it promotes deep learning — fostering in students a managerial perspective on financial reporting as a primary source of data for decision-making, rather than as a mere formal obligation of accounting. Second, it establishes rigorous yet objective control — practicing the skill of 'from transaction to report' through the accounting of specific economic events and the preparation of a complete set of financial statements. The advantage of the simulator lies in its variety of mechanics: it includes meticulous calculation tasks, work with journal entries, and adaptive quizzes that activate upon frequent mistakes to reinforce challenging material. A special 'highlight' is the well-thought-out system of game characters. On one hand, students have a friendly mentor who encourages the accumulation of 'knowledge capital.' On the other hand, there is an antihero embodying typical risks and mistakes, who literally 'hunts' for gaps in knowledge. This dramatic structure creates a lively, emotionally charged educational space where theory is tested by practice in real-time."
Yulia Sergeevna Leevik, Department of Financial Management

"We deliberately chose materials from the real 'Center for Virtual Worlds' for the simulator — this is an area that genuinely captivates young people today and creates a strong motivation for immersion. During two hours of gameplay, the business processes of 'virtual reality' transform for students into a tangible task of accounting and reporting. To maintain momentum, we implemented a gamification system with statuses, virtual 'gold coins,' and even rewards in the form of 'cool raven badges' for the best performers. At the same time, we were aware of the risks of turning learning into pure entertainment; therefore, we included built-in hints and tips from our instructors to help students stay on track during challenging moments. It was crucial for us to maintain this balance: to preserve the excitement of the game without compromising academic rigor and depth in mastering key topics in financial accounting."
Alexander Demin, Department of Operational Management and Logistics, HSE Business School