Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Category: Events (page 4 of 7)

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.

FACULTY PANEL

REGISTER: Meet Texas McCombs MPA Faculty

March 14, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Want to hear from faculty who teach in the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program at Texas McCombs? Join us on Wednesday, March 22 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT as distinguished faculty discuss the program’s curriculum, what you’ll learn in the classes they teach, and how earning an MPA degree from UT Austin will set you up for success in the workforce.

Register Now!

Meet the panelists:

braden

Braden Williams
Associate Professor of Accounting

Braden Williams is an Associate Professor of Accounting in the McCombs School of Business. His research examines the way that firms respond to tax incentives and tax enforcement—frequently in a multijurisdictional setting—and has been published in top accounting journals. He has taught introductory and corporate tax classes to students in the BBA & MPA programs.

 

Lisa Lisa Koonce
Professor of Accounting

Lisa Koonce, Deloitte and Touche Endowed Chair in Accounting, has earned a number of awards and has been consistently elected to the McCombs MBA Program Faculty Honor Roll since 2000. Her research and teaching interests include the judgment and decision making implications of financial reporting. Dr. Koonce’s teaching interests are financial accounting and judgment and decision making in accounting.

 

SaraSara Toynbee
Associate Professor of Accounting

Sara Toynbee’s research examines how recognition, measurement, and disclosure issues in financial accounting influence the usefulness of financial reports. She also has research that examines the determinants and consequences of the matching process in the executive labor market.

 

zachZach Kowaleski
Associate Professor of Accounting

Zach Kowaleski studies the effect of the institutional setting on behavior using the audit and broker-dealer settings. His work has been published in numerous accounting journals. Zach teaches Auditing and Assurance Services. Zach was formerly an Economic Research Fellow at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and worked 4years in PwC’s audit practice.

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.

 

 

MPA Current Student and Alumni Panel

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students and Alumni

February 8, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Join us on Thursday, February 16 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT for the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Current Student and Alumni Panel. You’ll meet people who have experienced the MPA program first-hand and hear about their time in the program, why they chose to study accounting, and their career opportunities. Plus, you’ll get the chance to ask the students and alumni questions.

Register Now!

Meet the panelists:

Angie

Angie Jin, MPA ’05
Senior Director, Internal Audit at TIAA

Angie earned her master’s in accounting through the integrated Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) program at Texas McCombs. While in the MPA program, Angie was also able to earn her internal auditor certification by incorporating it into her curriculum, and she has since continued to attain additional certifications. She is now the Senior Director of Internal Audit at the Teachers Insurance and Annuity   Association of America in Dallas, Texas.

 

ArmaniArmani Sampat, MPA ’23
Current Student

Armani is currently in the traditional Master in Professional Accounting (tMPA) program. After earning her undergraduate degree in accounting from Ithaca College, she chose to attend the MPA program to develop a deeper knowledge of taxation. Armani is also a MPA ambassador and is open to connecting with prospective students as they consider attending McCombs.

 

JohnJohn Howard III, MPA ’19 
Senior Associate, Embark

John earned his undergraduate degree in accounting/finance from the University of Arkansas and earned his MPA at UT Austin. After graduating, he began his career at Deloitte in audit assurance before moving into the industry sector. John is a Senior Associate at Embark, where he continues to help companies grow and operate more effectively.

Register for an MPA info session

Attend an information session for the MPA Program

February 7, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting? Join us at a Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session this spring! With a master’s degree in accounting, the sky is the limit. Many leaders across the globe have accounting backgrounds. Join their ranks and start your career off right with an MPA degree from Texas McCombs.

The traditional Master in Professional Accounting (tMPA) is a one-year program open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. In as little as nine months, you can earn an MPA degree from the top accounting program in the country! From the best accounting faculty in the nation to a variety of accounting and MBA electives to a 98% job placement rate, MPA has what you’re looking for… and more!

At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail how to apply, the MPA curriculum, career opportunities and outcomes, and what life is like in Austin.

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

If you can’t make an info session, schedule an individual appointment with Jasmin at any time!

Virtual info session dates:

See you there!

Get to know Texas McCombs

Visit the Texas McCombs MPA Program…In Person or Virtually!

January 30, 2023 / / 0 Comments

If you’re interested in exploring the Texas McCombs MPA program and would like to visit us here in Austin or from afar, we have several options for you!

In Person Visits

Would you prefer to see the UT campus first-hand? Submit our in-person visit form at least two weeks in advance, and we will customize a visit schedule based on your preferences.  Meet with MPA admissions, academic and career staff, take a tour of McCombs with a current student, walk around the Forty Acres, and more!

Virtual Visits

Are you unable to visit Austin in person? View a virtual tour of Texas McCombs and take a virtual stroll around the University of Texas at Austin to see what makes us a premiere destination. Reach out to an admissions ambassador to set up a Zoom call or attend a virtual panel to learn more about the student experience.

Learn more about the McCombs School of Business, Master in Professional Accounting program, and living in Austin by visiting our website.

Accounting++ Energy Blog Post January 2023

REGISTER: Accounting in the Energy Industry

January 9, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Interested in learning about the importance of accounting in the energy industry? Join us on for a panel discussion with successful accountants working in energy, brought to you by the Master in Professional Accounting program at the McCombs School of Business.

Event Details:
Tuesday, January 24
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

Register Now!

Meet the Panelists!

Ann KluppelAnn Kluppel
General Auditor, Phillips 66 (Accounting BBA ’89)

Ann Kluppel is currently the General Auditor for Phillips 66. In the more than 20 years she has been with Phillips 66, Ann has held a variety of roles within operations, finance and human resources. She is a licensed CPA and a Certified Internal Auditor.

 

Josh ShermanJosh Sherman
Partner, Opportune LLP (MPA ’98)

Josh Sherman is a partner at Opportune LLP, a global energy business advisory firm. Josh oversees Opportune’s Complex Financial Reporting group. He has over 25 years of experience in providing clients across the energy spectrum with technical research, capital markets and SEC reporting assistance. Prior to joining Opportune, he worked in the audit and global energy markets department with Deloitte & Touche.

 

Hillary SwallenHillary Swallen
Managing Director, KPMG (MPA ’10)

Hillary Swallen is a Managing Director at KPMG in Houston. She concentrates in the tax area, providing federal, state and international tax consulting services to a wide range of businesses from small privately held domestic companies to large publicly traded multinational companies, primarily in the oil and gas industry.

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students and Alumni on November 16

November 10, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Hear from current Master in Professional Accounting students and alumni at our virtual panel on Wednesday, November 16 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT! MPA students and alumni will discuss why they chose to study accounting, as well as detail their experiences in the program, including their favorites classes, recruiting and networking opportunities, and life at Texas McCombs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask the panelists questions!

Register Now

Event Details:
Wednesday, November 16
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

Meet the Panelists!

Yadira Avitia

Yadira Avitia  |  Current MPA
Undergrad: Psychology, University of North Texas

Yadira grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and received a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of North Texas. She decided to earn a graduate degree in accounting from Texas McCombs to master the language of business. She strives to service businesses within various industries who are working to make this world a better place.

 

Christine CockerellChristine Cockerell  |  MPA ’17
Senior Financial Analyst at Toyota North America

Christine earned her undergraduate degree in finance/accounting from American University and earned her MPA at UT Austin. She is interested in financial advisory services, particularly in the airline, automotive, and real estate sectors. She was born and raised in Texas and is a private pilot and avid golfer.

 

David O'NeilDavid O’Neil  |  MPA ’15
Senior Associate at Crescent Cove Capital

David earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from UT Austin. He focused his studies in financial accounting, as well as volunteered as a tax preparer through the Tax Practicum course. His passions include corporate finance, new technologies, and investing.

 

Eric WenEric (Junqi) Wen  |  Current MPA
Undergrad: Accounting, UT Austin

Eric grew up in China and went to high school in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a current student studying in the Master in Professional Accounting Program. Upon graduation, Eric will be working as a strategy analyst at Accenture in Chicago, Illinois.

 

REGISTER: MPA Info Session on November 3

October 31, 2022 / / 0 Comments

November 3 Info Session

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting? Join us at the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session on November 3 at 5:00 p.m. CT!

At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail the curriculum you will learn in the program, career outcomes and opportunities, how to apply, and answer any questions you have.

Register for the info session and learn how you can earn your master’s degree in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin!

Register Today!

Master in Professional Accounting Info Session
Thursday, November 3, 2022
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

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