As you’re applying to the Texas MPA program, you may be wondering how the current financial crisis is affecting the state of the accounting profession. Members of our Department of Accounting Advisory Council recently provided us with their points of view on the demand for high-quality accountants.

Today the CPA profession has a tremendous need for highly skilled accounting graduates who want to use their professional skills and training to provide financial and auditing service with integrity, help restore confidence in the system, and ultimately contribute to modernizing and improving financial reporting and auditing, in the U.S. and internationally…I would highly encourage students to consider an accounting career. CPAs with integrity will always be in high demand.

Jeanette Franzel, U.S. Government Accountability Office

In the current economic environment I believe accounting students will experience better return on their educational investment than students in many other majors. Accounting students are valued for their accounting expertise as well as their financial and business potential. While it is likely this is shaping up to be a challenging period, it has been my experience companies will continue to invest in talent, however, they will focus this investment on quality instead of quantity. UT accounting students are well positioned for this type of strategy.

Lyn Beaty, Halliburton

In turbulent times, the role of the accounting profession is needed more than ever. We provide high integrity and high quality financial reporting. We are the trusted advisors to our companies providing strategic insight and creating value. The need for credentialed, ethical and talented professionals that make this possible will remain strong.

Brad Halverson, Caterpillar

Understandably, it can be difficult for students making career decisions to witness shifting market conditions. The accounting industry is not alone or immune to present circumstances, but as the economy evolves, our services are needed to address new challenges and meet changing market demands. The ability to attract students and retain talented individuals is important to organizations today because we see students as the leaders of tomorrow who will navigate a more complex accounting industry and help companies and the U.S. remain competitive in the global economy. In addition, it has been predicted that over the coming decades, the professional services industry will face a decline in the number of skilled workers, giving today’s students an influential role to play in the future of the accounting profession.

Don Wagner, Deloitte