MPA Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs Students

Category: Careers (page 1 of 5)

Meet Current MPA Student Mateen Bashiri

May 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Mateen Bashiri

Benefits of the Master in Professional Accounting Program
Mateen Bashiri, MPA candidate ’24, on the path to CFO

When Mateen Bashiri started his undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin, he was sure he would become a doctor. But Bashiri soon pivoted to economics, an area of study he’d enjoyed in high school. Now, he’s about to earn a master’s in accounting.

While Bashiri was still an economics undergrad, he enrolled in Texas McCombs’ Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Bridge program, which allowed him to get a head start on his graduate MPA coursework in his senior year. He’s currently on track to graduate this spring.

Bashiri tells us why he’s pursuing an accounting master’s degree, the benefits of the MPA Bridge program, and his experience in the MPA program.

Q: How did you decide on your career path?

A: I’m from Austin originally. I went into college as a science major and was going to be a doctor. But I quickly saw that it wasn’t for me. My dad is an accountant — a financial controller for a med tech company — and a lot of other family members work in accounting, too. Growing up, I saw their careers develop. I also really enjoyed my economics classes in high school. I really like the business aspect. After getting my undergraduate degree in economics, it was close between whether I’d go into accounting or finance. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

Q: How did you decide to pursue an MPA degree?

A: I knew I needed my master’s degree to get the hours I needed, especially since I didn’t have an accounting background. I also knew UT students have a very high pass rate for the CPA exam; you’re prepared very well to succeed. Plus, the MPA is a great degree given that my goal is to eventually become a CFO. There are a lot of CPAs who become CFOs. This degree is such a great propellent into many other career opportunities.

Q: What benefits did you see in enrolling in the MPA Bridge program?

A: I was set to graduate a semester early from undergrad, and for most other master’s programs out there, I would have had to skip the spring semester and enroll the following fall. The Bridge program let me go right into my master’s academic work, and it really gave me a great head start for the graduate portion of the MPA program. I took one class as part of the MPA Bridge program in the summer before I graduated while finishing my undergraduate degree, and then I took two classes in the fall. After that, I started full time in the MPA program in the spring. Coming into the accounting program with an economics background also definitely helped me, especially in the foundational accounting courses. I didn’t feel at all unprepared.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of the MPA program to date?

A: The best part, even though it sounds somewhat cliché, has been meeting so many people from all across the country. I wasn’t expecting that. And a lot of us regularly keep up with each other, too.

Q: What’s your plan for after you graduate?

A: Currently, I’m taking one class and I’ll graduate this spring. I’m also working on preparing for the CPA exam, and I’m hoping to finish that over the next five or six months. Then I’ll start my new job as a financial analyst with Dell Technologies in their Accounting Development Program. Last summer, I interned with Dell, and the company offered me a full-time job. The internship was an opportunity that came onto my radar because of McCombs — there are a lot of recruiting events with many different kinds of employers.

Q: What would you say to non-accounting UT students thinking about applying to the MPA program?

A: Definitely do it. It’s been such a great experience. You get to meet great people and get very well prepared for the CPA exam. It’s nice being around people who are so driven. UT’s program is the No. 1 program for a reason. The professors are very good, really intelligent, and they present topics in an exciting way. That’s why so many have been around for a while. This program prepares you, whether you have an accounting background, or not, for long-term career success.

Meet Current MPA Student Sophia Matar

April 26, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Sophia Matar
Full Speed Ahead for This MPA Student 

Sophia Matar, MPA candidate ’24, credits McCombs’ career coaches and corporate partners with starting her off well

Sophia Matar is no stranger to the fast track. She started her undergraduate education at The University of Texas at Austin with enough dual credit and Advanced Placement coursework to graduate in just three years — majoring in economics with a minor in accounting. So, the opportunity to get a head start on graduate coursework through Texas McCombs’ Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Bridge program was, she says, “just too good to pass up.”

She’s currently set to graduate at the end of the Spring 2024 semester, with an audit position awaiting her as she steps off the stage. She talks about accounting as both stable and dynamic, how the MPA Bridge program matched her ambitions, and how real-world exposure at McCombs gave her the confidence to land her first job.

Q: After studying both economics and accounting, what finally drew you toward a master’s in accounting?

A: I found economics coursework to be a lot more theoretical, while accounting is more structured and practical. So, the stability drew me in. But it’s also an exciting field because there are so many avenues to pursue, so many different types of jobs, and plenty of potential to work directly with clients. Some people who study accounting end up as investment bankers or as CFOs — it’s not sitting at a desk and booking journal entries.

Q: What benefits did you see in enrolling in the MPA Bridge program?

A: My plan was to graduate in three years, and I saw the Bridge program as a way to start my graduate studies in my third year of college and then finish my master’s in my fourth year. Finishing two degrees in four years was just too good to pass up. It definitely helped to save money, too.

Q: What aspects of the one-year MPA program have you enjoyed and have been helpful for you?

A: I’ve gotten so much help with professional development. McCombs’ career coaches have met with me multiple times, helping me with interview prep and to rework my résumé. Because of all their help, I now feel extremely confident in my networking skills.

It’s also been really helpful to hear from so many guest speakers in classes — people who are out working in the field right now. Hearing their experiences has helped me to understand that not everybody is on the same path, but that accountants come from many different backgrounds and succeed in a wide range of really interesting roles. Right now, for example, I’m in an internal audit class and we’re paired with a company to do internal audit work for them. It’s so great to get that experience while I’m in school.

Q: What’s your plan for after graduation?

A: Initially, I figured I would do general consulting after graduation. But during my MPA experience, I’ve been exposed to so many different ways in which to be an accountant, and I realized that I really like the internal side of audit versus the external side. I ended up taking a tech risk consulting position with EY, where I’ll be doing internal control work and risk assessment.

Q: What about advice for potential accounting program applicants?

A: The program is well worth it — and not just because of the coursework, even though that has been instrumental for me. It’s valuable because you have access to real-world experiences and one-on-one development opportunities. McCombs’ MPA program is one of the most well-known and prepares you very well for whatever accounting path you choose.

REGISTER NOW: Accounting++ Artificial Intelligence (Livestreamed Event)

April 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you currently exploring the possibilities a Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting degree can offer? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a strategic focus driving multi-disciplinary collaborations, groundbreaking research, and the development of future leaders poised to navigate an ever-evolving landscape.

Join us virtually at our upcoming  event on Wednesday, April 10 to learn about the future of accounting and AI and how these fields intersect to shape the future of business.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to see into the future of accounting!

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CT

REGISTER NOW!

This event will be livestreamed from Robert Rowling Hall on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Join us virtually through Zoom.

Meet Current Student Josh Tarplin

March 22, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Josh Tarplin

From the Chem Lab to the Photo Studio to PwC
Josh Tarplin, MPA candidate ’24, on finding his passion for auditing

Accounting wasn’t on Josh Tarplin’s radar as a career until he started running his own business, a photography studio he ultimately ran in the U.K. Before that, he was on track to becoming a chemical engineer — as a teen he worked on research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Tarplin talks about his circuitous path to accounting, why it’s now his ideal career, and what he’s learned during his time in the traditional Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program.

Q: You started in science, then started your own creative business. How did that come about?

A: I took a lot of science classes in high school, worked at the NIH doing research, and came to Yale as a chemical engineering major. But in college, I also took a photography class, and I really fell in love with it. So, I double majored in fine art focused on photography and the history of art, with a focus on visual theory. My plan was to work as a fine artist, like a hermit in the studio — that was the dream. I started in fashion photography, a mix of the commercial and the creative, and I opened my own studio in Los Angeles, working with Instagram brands and then companies.

Q: When did it first occur to you that accounting was an important subject to study?

A: With my photography business, I started working in London more than in L.A., and that’s where I first discovered accounting. I’d never known an accountant besides the nice woman who prepared my taxes. In running my studio, I didn’t have financial records. I didn’t know how to account for my expenses. So, I started giving myself an online education in accounting, and I really fell in love with it. It’s so different from art, but it supports any other endeavor you’re trying to pursue. Accounting is a really good framework, and whatever you’re doing — from operating Apple to designing and printing your own T-shirts — you have to have this knowledge to be able to function on your own in a commercial world, and also to protect yourself.

Q: What has your experience in the MPA program been like?

A: I’m loving it. It’s a discipline that’s internally consistent, which is very rare. But at the same time, there’s so much creativity and room for exploration. The classes I’ve found the most interesting have involved discussions of the issues between regulators and companies. The Accounting faculty are really interested in teaching what’s going on in the actual standards or in the actual internal revenue code. It’s introducing an idea from a textbook and then giving the inside scoop as to how it functions. I’m so happy that I found something that I love as much as I love making art.

Q: Are you still doing photography?

A: I’d much rather give someone a photograph they love than have it hang in a gallery and then get sold to someone I’ve never met. I see art as a weekend activity now. I’m excited to be fully in the world of accounting.

Q: What’s your plan for after you graduate?

A: I’ll be working at PwC in Houston. I really love auditing — I love seeing the forest through the trees of the numbers. I think that comes from my art history visual theory background. Numbers on a page symbolize this whole world of a company.

I’m interested in being exposed to different companies and the investigatory aspect, to investigate and find (or not find) fraud. It’s the idea that auditors are the guardians of the capital markets.

Q: What would you say to students thinking about studying accounting at McCombs?

A: It’s the best program in the country, the world really. It’s not just the ranking that drew me, but it’s who’s teaching here: the best talent for both teaching and research. The program offers a holistic experience in learning accounting that you can take in so many different directions. You can explore anything. The program is a one-year ticket to know how to do anything you want to do in the world that involves people trusting you with money — which is really everything.

 

REGISTER: Accounting++ Your First Job (Livestreamed event)

February 29, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you wondering what kind of careers an accounting degree will offer you? Join us at the Accounting++ Your First Job event where you will hear from accounting alumni about their first jobs after graduating with an accounting degree and where they are now.

This event will be livestreamed from Robert Rowling Hall on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Join us on Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. CT virtually through Zoom.

Meet the Panelists

image of Fraser Armstrong-Watters

Fraser Armstrong-Watters
Current Title: Chief Financial Officer
First Title: Analyst

Fraser began his career as an analyst in management consulting. He is now a partner and CFO at Palisades Group, a residential investment company.

 

image of Matt Boyd

Matt Boyd
Current Title: Vice President & Partner
First Title: Analyst

After graduating with an MPA degree from Texas McCombs, Matt was an analyst at an investment bank and is now a VP and Principal at Olympus Partners.

 

Image of Chris Dunn

Chris Dunn
Current Title: Chief Accounting Officer
First Title: Associate

Matt graduated with an MPA degree and started out in public accounting as an associate, then went into wealth management, and is now the CAO at Palisades Group.

 

Image of Shari Ledbetter

Shari Ledbetter
Current Title: Manager
First Title: Senior Accountant

Shari is an MPA alum and began her career in public accounting. She then transitioned into investments and asset management and is now a manager at TPG Capital.

 

 REGISTER NOW for the livestream event!

A New Era for Accountants

February 26, 2024 / / 0 Comments

From renewable energy startups to movie studios, accountants are in high demand for a staggering variety of careers

In the accounting field, one thing is becoming clear: There is no “typical” accounting job. Alumnus Ryan Hess (Ph.D. ’21) worked with the Internal Revenue Service to  improve tax compliance via automation. Alumna Megan Light (BBA, MPA ’06) works in investor relations in the natural resources field.

For both graduates, their day-to-day is far from the image some people have of accountants: worker bees who enter and move numbers around a spreadsheet. Over the years — and in recent years, especially, as data has ballooned along with new technologies and ever-changing regulations — accounting has evolved into an even more vibrant field that spans industries and requires a broad and well-balanced skill set. Accountants dabble in math, yes — but today they must also have advanced communications skills and an affinity for new technologies.

An accountant might find work uncovering financial fraud, helping a shipping company operate more efficiently to improve its bottom line, or managing production budgets and royalty distributions for a movie studio.

Accountants’ bread and butter is assessing and reporting on a company’s financial position so the business can make forecasts about the future and manage risk. They prepare budgets and forecasts, analyze expenditure and revenue, and identify where a company can invest, save money or afford to spend more. Accountants also present financial information — and often provide financial advice — to managers or to clients.

Accounting is a perfect field for people who enjoy working with numbers and technology, analyzing data, thinking critically to solve problems, and communicating outcomes.

A WIDE VARIETY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Accountants are a vital part of every organization and every industry — from large corporations to small startups and nonprofits, from high-tech energy companies to sports teams and entertainment production studios. Accounting skills are also essential for people who ultimately choose to work in investment banking or financial consulting.

Meanwhile, some accountants carve out creative side-gigs for themselves too. For example, UT accounting Ph.D. program graduates and professors Lisa De Simone (Ph.D. ’13) and Bridget Stomberg (Ph.D. ’13) with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business started a podcast called “Taxes for the Masses” to break down tax concepts into simple terms.

STABILITY AND GROWTH
While other professions have seen a slump, accountants continue to be in high demand despite economic fluctuations. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to continue driving a strong demand. The field provides job security, and it equips people with skills that translate across industries and geographic regions.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Successful accountants require a variety of skills and knowledge, such as:

  • Ability to analyze data.
  • Ability to think critically and problem-solve.
  • Budgeting, forecasting, financial statement preparation.
  • Communication skills.
  • Proficiency in technical software.
  • Leadership aptitude.

These are skills students learn as they earn a degree in accounting and continue to refine throughout their careers.

TEXAS MCCOMBS MASTER IN PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
Did you know that the one-year Master in Professional Accounting degree program at Texas McCombs is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline? Join us for an upcoming virtual info session to learn more!

Apply Now to Join the 2024 Incoming MPA Class!

October 16, 2023 / / 0 Comments

The Texas McCombs MPA Class of 2023 had great success in securing employment. 98% of the class (overall) and 100% of the international students accepted job offers!

Our traditional MPA students secured full-time employment in a variety of areas:

  • 49% Public Accounting – Audit
  • 27% Public Accounting – Tax
  • 13% Industry
  •    7% Public Accounting – Advisory
  •    8% Consulting
  •    3% Finance

and in various geographical regions:

  • 60% Southwest
  • 16% West
  • 10% South
  •    7% East
  •    5% Midwest
  •    2% International

APPLY NOW!

Meet MPA Alumna Rachel Ybarra

October 9, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Excerpted from the original publication in Texas McCombs Alumni News.

Originally from San Antonio, Rachel Ybarra began her journey at McCombs while pursuing her accounting degree. From there, she went on to work for AT&T, where she excelled into a senior leadership role before launching Embrace Any Future, a boutique financial strategy and consulting firm.

Notable quotes from Rachel regarding the accounting program at Texas McCombs:

“UT Austin has an exceptional Accounting Program, number one in the nation. To attend the program was such a privilege.”

“UT’s accounting program has always been a trendsetter. Thirty years later, I still see the business school striving to new heights.”

“Going to a great school and prestigious program opened many doors and my education and the rigor of the accounting program made the transition to a highly competitive Fortune 20 company feel natural.”

Read more about how Texas McCombs shaped Rachel’s future.

 

Austin Takes the Lead as the #1 City to Launch Your Career

Austin Takes the Lead as the #1 City to Launch Your Career

July 12, 2023 / / 0 Comments

In a recent analysis conducted by Bankrate, the top 50 metro areas in the US were evaluated based on three key factors: rent affordability, employment opportunities, and quality of life. Austin emerged as the number one city for millennials and members of Gen Z entering the workforce!

As graduation season wraps up, young adults across the country are embarking on their post-college journeys and contemplating where to start their careers. Austin is a city that embodies the perfect balance between work and play. With its booming job market, affordable living, and vibrant culture, Austin has become a magnet for young professionals seeking a head start in their careers.

The city’s strong economy has been driven by the presence of major tech companies, including Dell, IBM, Apple, Facebook, Samsung, Google and Tesla, which have established their operations in the area. Austin is also home to several major accounting firms, such as Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and EY, that offer a wide range of accounting, tax, and consulting services.

The Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program at Texas McCombs stands out as the nation’s top-ranked program. Pursing a masters in accounting at McCombs and establishing a foundation in Austin allows graduates to gain access to a network of industry leaders and exciting career opportunities, setting them on the path to a successful and fulfilling professional journey in Austin.

Beyond its professional appeal, Austin boasts a vibrant cultural scene and an exceptional quality of life. The city is renowned for its live music venues, festivals, and diverse culinary offerings. With its numerous parks, hiking trails, and proximity to the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Austin provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to unwind and stay active.

Join us at an MPA event to learn more and make Austin your destination!

Accounting++?

REGISTER: Accounting ++ “?” Webinar

March 16, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This spring, the Texas McCombs MPA Program has been hosting the “Accounting++” series, to introduce students to various careers in which accounting knowledge is valued. At each event, we highlight a career path that benefits from having a master’s degree in accounting (MPA). Our final event is titled Accounting ++ “?”. If you are thinking of choosing a major or applying to the MPA program, register now to hear from accountants with diverse backgrounds working in a variety of areas to get your questions answered.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
5:30 – 6:30 pm CT

Register Now!

Meet the Panelists!

BillBill Fan
Tax Analyst, SpaceX

SpaceX designs and builds its reusable rockets and spacecraft. Their goal is to reduce space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. Bill works in their tax function to ensure that SpaceX is both meeting its tax reporting and compliance obligations and operating in a tax-efficient manner.

 

VirginiaVirgina Hoskins
Director, Department of Physics, UT Austin

The Physics Department at UT is an internationally recognized research college and ranks highly in the National Research Council surveys of doctoral programs in the US. Virginia’s work ensures that the Department can meet its current and aspirational goals, by stewarding its financial processes.

 

NikkiNikki Ellis
Tax Manager, Deloitte

Deloitte provides tax compliance and consulting services to public and private companies. Digitization, ESG, and workforce mobility fundamentally affect the taxes companies pay and make this an interesting and challenging area of work. Tax professionals are their client’s strategic advisors. They work to assess their client’s tax obligations accurately and efficiently, ensuring that they are well served and that governments have the resources to meet their operating needs.

 

CedricCedric Kudowor
Senior, Accounting & Reporting Advisory, Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit and assurance services to help organizations ensure that their businesses operate efficiently and profitably, following applicable governing standards. Auditors, by verifying and testing the information in financial and other regulated reporting, enhance the trust placed in the financial markets and, in so doing, help a multi-trillion dollar capital market system function with greater confidence.

 

JohnJohn Strother
Senior Consultant, Modeling Advisory, Deloitte

Deloitte’s valuation and modeling services teams work with clients to better forecast and analyze various data points to better understand risks facing their businesses, to reduce costs, and to accurately price acquisitions and sales. Their clients include public and private companies in industries such as private equity, real estate, manufacturing, and technology.

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,000 private companies.

Older posts

Categories

© 2024 MPA Admissions Blog

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑