Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Category: Careers (page 2 of 5)

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!

Sustainability and Accounting at UT Austin

November 27, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Originally published in the Accounting Times newsletter.

Professor Jeff Hales heads Texas McCombs recently created Global Sustainability Leadership Institute (GSLI). We asked him about these efforts as well as what sustainability means for accounting.

TELL US ABOUT GSLI AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT.

The GSLI is an institute housed in McCombs and in partnership with the Moody College of Communication is dedicated to addressing the critical sustainability challenges of the 21st century through research, education, and industry collaboration. The roots of the GSLI started from student interest in programs and curricula that would help them understand how business activities intersect with society and the environment. That demand was initially met through an initiative that began back in 2017, which fellow accounting professor, Steve Limberg, helped to oversee. With help of a generous donation, we were able to launch the GSLI in the fall of 2021.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE INSTITUTE WILL ACCOMPLISH?

By leveraging the expertise of our faculty and corporate partners, my hope is that the Institute will play an integral role in UT’s mission by helping to develop the next generation of business leaders and changemakers. Businesses need to be resilient and adaptive and we need our students to be ready for the challenges and opportunities that will create for them in their future careers.

HOW ARE YOU INCORPORATING GSLI’S WORK INTO OUR TEXAS
McCOMBS CLASSROOMS?

I have recently developed two accounting electives related to sustainability. The first, Corporate Sustainability, is a graduate level course for MPA and MBA students that focuses on sustainability disclosure standards, rules, and regulation. The second, Global Business Sustainability, is one of the core courses in the GSLI’s new Global Sustainability Minor, which is a 17-hour minor open to undergraduates across campus. I teach both through the lens of accounting.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT TO STUDENTS STUDYING
ACCOUNTING?

Lots of reasons! With increasing demand for companies to adopt sustainable practices and report on their sustainability performance, accountants will need to have the skills and knowledge to measure and report on the sustainability metrics that companies will be expected to disclose. More generally, to truly understand a company’s sustainability issues, you have to know more about what the company actually does to make money. Tech companies, food retailers, and pharmaceuticals all have revenues, but the ways in which they generate those revenues are very different and so are associated with very different sustainability challenges. Sustainability accounting forces students to make closer and deeper connections between the financial performance of a company and the operational activities that drove that performance. But the most important reason for bringing sustainability into our curriculum is students today are genuinely interested in knowing more about how businesses affect our broader society and our planet.

Interested in learning more about Jeffrey Hales and his Corporate Sustainability course at UT Austin? Read Accounting for a Better Future 

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.

Career outcomes with an MPA from Texas McCombs

A Master in Professional Accounting Degree = More Opportunities

March 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

It can be a challenge to design the best plan for your future. If you’re into numbers and the stories they tell, you may find that the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree program is a smart choice. Here’s why we think you should take a closer look:

An MPA degree makes you attractive to top organizations.

Accounting is the lifeblood of virtually every company in every industry. Organizations need accountants to track finances, predict future transactions, and evaluate performance. Without highly qualified accountants, businesses have a hard time growing or even surviving. A graduate from the top-ranked Texas McCombs MPA program will be in demand for years to come.

The MPA degree gives you the luxury of choice.

With an MPA degree from Texas McCombs, you’ll have a variety of roles to choose from in areas such as public accounting, industry, consulting, finance and government. Here are some examples of positions your MPA degree could help you secure:

  • Internal Auditor—the employee that’s indispensable to senior leadership and the board of directors. As an internal auditor, you investigate and report, giving leadership key information for important decision-making.
  • Staff Accountant—this role holds more credentials and trains for higher-level tasks than a general accountant. As a staff accountant, you’ll soon advance to more senior positions and management roles.
  • Controller—this powerful management role oversees all accounting employees and processes.
  • Restructuring Consultant—this role points the way when making major business decisions. Restructuring consultants make financial projections and cash forecasts. They also analyze financial data, perform financial reporting, and conduct data mining and research.
  • Tax Consultant—this role helps keep businesses safely legal with tax-related issues, including compliance and regulations, and determining taxes owed.
  • Risk and Financial Advisor—this is another role that informs big decisions. As a risk and financial advisor, you would help organizations reduce or wisely manage their financial risk.

Wondering how well the MPA Class of 2022 is doing?

98% of the MPA Class of 2022 received job offers within three months of graduation!

What’s the next step in planning your future?

This may just be the beginning of your research. If you want to know more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

Austin: Ranked Best Labor Market

Austin: Ranked Best U.S. Job Market

March 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Austin landed among the top large cities in the Wall Street Journal’s annual job-market rankings for three years running!

The best place for Gen Z to find a job? Austin, Texas! Home of the McCombs School of Business, Austin was ranked as the best labor market in 2021! Considered one of the top cities for entry-level growth, Austin is home to a number of big companies such as Dell, Oracle, Amazon, Google and Tesla. Austin is also considered one of the most vibrant cities. From our live music, to endless outdoor activities and delicious food, Austin is a great place to call home.

Also ranked at #1 in the nation is our accounting program! Accounting is the backbone of a company and is needed in every industry. Accounting is in high demand for most businesses and provides a stable rate of employment. Earn your master’s degree in one of the top-ranked cities in the nation.

If you’re interested and want to learn more, register for one of our info sessions. You will learn more about the program, admissions process, curriculum, and career outcomes, as well as what life is like at McCombs.

Accounting++ Real Estate

Highlights: Accounting++ Real Estate

March 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

An accounting degree can open doors to exciting and lucrative careers in many industries, including real estate. While accounting may not typically be associated with the real-estate industry, there are several ways in which an accounting degree can be used in this field (as well as many other non-traditional fields).

This spring, the Texas McCombs MPA Program is 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 most recent panel, comprised of McCombs alums and industry experts, focused on accounting careers in real estate. Learn more about them at the end of this blog!

The panelists shared how accounting knowledge has helped them understand the language of business and contributed to their careers. Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Real estate is not limited to buying and selling single-family homes. It’s a dynamic and ever-growing industry that is based on making decisions with financial implications. An accounting background is exceedingly helpful in this context. In real estate, a main priority is to generate a return for investors, whether from the purchase, sale, or management of large multi-unit properties, commercial property, or land. As a result, a thorough understanding of financial analysis and accounting principles can be invaluable in this industry.
  • Real estate investments require careful and thorough financial analysis and projections to determine the potential return on investment (ROI). An MPA provides the skills and knowledge necessary to perform such analysis and to disseminate this information to interested parties.
  • Real estate investors need to be able to analyze and determine the value of properties/investments. Such valuations are based on location, condition, size, and market trends. An MPA equips you with the skills to analyze and interpret financial data to make informed decisions about real estate investments.
  • Accounting principles are essential in managing the finances of a property, including rent collection, property maintenance, and tax reporting. An MPA provides a strong foundation for good property management.
  • Real estate transactions can be complicated, and tax is a critical aspect of such deals. An MPA will ensure you are well-versed in such regulation. You can use your tax knowledge to assist clients in achieving tax efficiency and maximizing their returns on real estate investments.
Panelists speaking at the Accounting ++ Real Estate

The Accounting ++ Real Estate panel

Having an MPA is an asset in many careers, including the real estate industry. The Texas McCombs MPA program can prepare you for an exciting career in many different industries. The McCombs School of Business is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the United States!

To learn more about how you can apply your accounting knowledge in different fields, register for our next Accounting++ series event Accounting++ ?

To learn more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

Our panelists:

LaurenLauren Hiller
Senior Manager, KPMG

KPMG is a professional services firm that operates in 143 countries and territories, and in FY22, collectively employed more than 265,000 partners and people, serving the needs of business, governments, public-sector agencies, not-for-profits and through KPMG firms’ audit and assurance practices, the capital markets.

 

mattMatt Stevenson
Senior Director, Development, Greystar

Greystar is a leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development, and management of rental housing properties globally. The company’s business model is unique in its ability to own, operate, and develop multifamily, student, and senior housing across the globe.

 

KristenKristen Maris
VP, Asset Management, Fairfield Residential

Fairfield Residential is a leader in high-end living experiences. They manage 42,700 units nationwide across luxury new construction and renovated apartment homes in urban and suburban infill neighborhoods and tax credit affordable housing properties.

 

PaulPaul Kudirka
Director, Affordable Housing, Fairfield Residential

Fairfield Residential is a leader in high-end living experiences. They manage 42,700 units nationwide across luxury new construction and renovated apartment homes in urban and suburban infill neighborhoods and tax credit affordable housing properties.

 

Register Now!

REGISTER: Accounting in Real Estate

February 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Interested in learning how an accounting degree can help you build a successful career in real estate? Join us to learn more on Wednesday, February 22 at 5:30 pm for a panel discussion that includes McCombs alums and industry experts.

Event Details:
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
5:30 – 6:30 pm CT

Register Now!

Meet the Panelists!

LaurenLauren Hiller
Senior Manager, KPMG

KPMG is a professional services firm that operates in 143 countries and territories, and in FY22, collectively employed more than 265,000 partners and people, serving the needs of business, governments, public-sector agencies, not-for-profits and through KPMG firms’ audit and assurance practices, the capital markets.

 

mattMatt Stevenson
Senior Director, Development, Greystar

Greystar is a leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development, and management of rental housing properties globally. The company’s business model is unique in its ability to own, operate, and develop multifamily, student, and senior housing across the globe.

 

KristenKristen Maris
VP, Asset Management, Fairfield Residential

Fairfield Residential is a leader in high-end living experiences. They manage 42,700 units nationwide across luxury new construction and renovated apartment homes in urban and suburban infill neighborhoods and tax credit affordable housing properties.

 

PaulPaul Kudirka
Director, Affordable Housing, Fairfield Residential

Fairfield Residential is a leader in high-end living experiences. They manage 42,700 units nationwide across luxury new construction and renovated apartment homes in urban and suburban infill neighborhoods and tax credit affordable housing properties.

 

 

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