MPA Program Info – Page 5 – Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Category: MPA Program Info (page 5 of 17)

REGISTER: MPA Faculty Panel

Are you ready to take the next step in your professional accounting career? The Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program at Texas McCombs has world-renowned faculty that teach a wide variety of accounting courses and infuse the curriculum with cutting-edge ideas. Join us on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. CT for our virtual Faculty Panel!

Meet the Experts: Connect with esteemed professors who bring a wealth of real-world knowledge to the classroom.

Curriculum Insights: Wondering what you’ll learn during your time at Texas McCombs? The faculty will provide an inside look at the MPA program’s curriculum, sharing details about the courses they teach and their relevance to the ever-evolving field of professional accounting.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from our Texas McCombs MPA faculty. Register today and take the first step towards a brighter future in professional accounting. We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Virtual Event (Link will be provided upon registration)

Register Here

Meet the Panelists:

Donna Johnston-Blair received her Honours B.A. and M.B.A. from The University of Toronto. She worked for Arthur Andersen & Co, Deloitte Haskins & Sells and Storage Technology, Inc. She has taught at U of Houston, SMU and Santa Clara University. She currently works for a private wealth management firm in Palo Alto.

John McInnis received his PhD from the University of Iowa and his BBA and MPA from the University of Texas. He teaches financial accounting in the MPA program. Professor McInnis has published articles in top scholarly journals including The Accounting Review, Journal of Finance, Management Science, and Journal of Accounting & Economics.

Lisa Koonce, Deloitte and Touche Endowed Chair in Accounting, received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Her research and teaching interests include the judgment and decision making implications of financial reporting.

Apply Now to Join the 2024 Incoming MPA Class!

October 16, 2023 / Keri Ledezma / 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!

REGISTER: Join the September 26 MPA Information Session!

September 18, 2023 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process and how to make your application stand out, details about the MPA curriculum, employment recruiting and career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, MPA Senior Recruiting and Admissions Officer.

Student Viewpoint: A Peek Into MPA Orientation

September 5, 2023 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

Orientation for the MPA Class of 2024 provided a first look into the MPA program and everything you need to succeed at your fingertips. These four days were fast-paced and full of information!

Day 1

As we finished up breakfast on the first day, exchanging names and hometowns with our new peers, Kristina Zvinakis, the MPA Program Director, welcomed us to the program. Throughout the morning, we heard presentations on health, study abroad, and an overview of Austin and campus. As a new UT student, my bucket list of restaurants and activities was practically full after the first day. I’ve knocked out about five or so recommendations in the first two weeks of classes.

After these presentations, a faculty panel gave us a taste of expectations and grading policies across different classes; this helped immensely when reviewing syllabi for the start of the semester. Finally, the Accounting Department Chair wrapped up the first day. Can you believe all of this happened in about 5 hours? Talk about jumping right in!

Days 2 and 4

The next day of orientation focused on our degree and futures as Texas McCombs grads. We reviewed the MPA degree and how to customize our perfect fit. A panel of alumni discussed various career paths, and the MPA career team gave networking advice we could immediately put to use. And we absolutely did – the day ended with employer networking in a relaxed and approachable setting. The career team also lined up a speed networking event on that Friday to further connections and expose us to employers across multiple facets: industry and consulting, public and private, local and national, specialized and general, etc.

Day 3

Orientation finished with a day of connecting with our peers via small-group tours of the Blanton Museum of Art located right on campus. We took closer looks at some works of art, heard the history behind sculptures, and played get-to-know-you games with our group. It was a perfect summer day and a lovely creative break before the semester began.

What else can I say? This program is well worth the summertime walk to campus (even in business professional!).

Hook ‘em!

Cami, MPA Class of 2024

REGISTER: MPA Information Session on August 9!

July 25, 2023 / erikalemaster / 0 Comments

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 August 9 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
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students on July 26!

July 24, 2023 / erikalemaster / 0 Comments

Are you considering a career in accounting and looking to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program at Texas McCombs? Join us at our upcoming webinar on July 26, 2023 where current MPA students 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 McCombs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask the panelists questions!

Register Now!

Event Details:
Wednesday, July 26
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

Meet the Panelists!

Joseph Hsu | MPA ’23
Current Student

Joseph is a current student in the traditional Master in Professional Accounting (tMPA) program. Hailing from Taiwan, Joseph completed his undergraduate studies at National Tsing Hua University, where he pursued a dual major in Economics and Industrial Engineering. His career interests are Audit/Assurance Services. Joseph enjoys working with his peers and learning from Texas McComb’s world-class faculty. He believes that accounting is the decision-making tool for all organizations.

Allie Rossmiller | MPA ’24
Current Student

Allie is an incoming graduate student on the Financial Reporting and Assurance track in the integrated Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) program. Allie has completed two audit internships at Deloitte and J.P. Morgan, and is returning to Deloitte in 2024 as an Audit Associate in Washington D.C. On campus, Allie is involved in Longhorn Run and Texas 4000, works for McCombs advising offices as a Peer Advisor, and represents the accounting department on the Graduate Student Assembly.

Demetrius Garza | MPA ’25
Current Student

Demetrius is an incoming fourth-year student on the Financial Reporting and Assurance track in the integrated Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) program. Demetrius has completed an internship at EY and is currently interning at GlobalFoundries as a Corporate Accounting Intern under their Technical Accounting group. His interests include financial accounting, current accounting topics revolving around ESG/Crypto reporting, and learning about accounting scandals.

Three McCombs MPA Students Recognized with Elijah Watt Sells Award!

May 30, 2023 / erikalemaster / 0 Comments

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) recently announced the winners of the prestigious 2022 Elijah Watt Sells Award. The Elijah Watt Sells Award program was established by the AICPA in 1923 to acknowledge outstanding performance on the CPA Exam. To qualify for the award, candidates must achieve a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, pass all four sections on their first attempt, and complete their testing within the designated year. Out of the approximately 67,000 individuals who took the exam last year, 50 candidates met the criteria to receive this esteemed award.

Among the group of CPA candidates who demonstrated exceptional aptitude and commitment, three students from the Texas McCombs MPA program were honored with the Elijah Watt Sells Award. The Texas McCombs MPA curriculum lays a solid educational foundation for the CPA exam. In fact, 37 of our students have received the Sells Award since 2014. CPA candidates from Texas McCombs typically have higher pass rates than the state and national average.

Congrats to the 2022 Award Winners!

Danielle Beaulieu: A graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English literature, holds a Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Currently employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Washington, DC, Danielle’s remarkable achievement showcases her expertise and dedication in the field of accounting.
John Gerling: An alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master in Professional Accounting. John is currently working at Ernst & Young in Austin, TX, where he continues to contribute his skills and knowledge to the accounting profession.
Wilson Wu: A graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, pursued his Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. He is currently employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Houston, TX, where he continues to excel in his accounting career.

Texas McCombs is incredibly proud of the three exceptional students from the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Program who were honored with this award. Their remarkable achievements are a testament to their unwavering dedication, diligence, and mastery of the accounting profession. As we celebrate the accomplishments of Danielle Beaulieu, John Gerling, and Wilson Wu, we commend them for their exceptional performance on the CPA Exam and for upholding the values of excellence and professionalism. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to current and future MPA students, highlighting the possibilities that await them with dedication and hard work.

Peek into an MPA Class: Financial Planning for Wealth Management

May 10, 2023 / erikalemaster / 0 Comments

In 2016, Terri Holbrook created a new course in financial wealth management for students interested in investments, tax planning, and all areas of personal wealth management. In class, students learn financial planning strategies, to develop research techniques and methods of analysis in the personal financial planning process.

The course has become incredibly popular, with many students eagerly signing up each year. What makes this course so special? According to Holbrook, it’s all about hands-on learning and real-world experience.

Rather than relying solely on lectures and textbook material, Holbrook’s course is project-driven and case-based. At the beginning of the semester, students are introduced to a simulated four-generation family, and throughout the course, they receive emails from this client requesting assistance with a variety of financial issues, including retirement planning, investment portfolios, tax liabilities, and estate planning. By working through these scenarios, students gain valuable experience in the real-world challenges that personal wealth advisors face every day.

One of the key benefits of this course is its relevance to today’s job market. According to Holbrook, there is a significant shortage of financial advisors and planners, with many current advisors nearing retirement age and looking for younger professionals to take over their client base. Additionally, the baby boomer generation is currently transferring significant amounts of wealth to younger generations who may lack financial knowledge. For students interested in a career in financial planning and advisory, this course can be an excellent opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in a field with significant job opportunities.

The course has lasting personal benefits even for students not interested in a career in financial advising. Learning how to manage personal finances, invest wisely, and plan for retirement are skills that will serve students well throughout their lives.

Terri Holbrook’s course in financial wealth management is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience and develop valuable skills that will serve them well both personally and professionally. With a focus on hands-on learning and a simulated client scenario, this course provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing a career in financial planning and advisory, as well as those simply looking to improve their personal financial management skills.

Interested in learning more about the MPA Program? Dive deeper into the program here.

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students and Alumni

April 19, 2023 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

Want to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program from students and alumni who have experienced it first-hand? Join our virtual panel on Thursday, April 20 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT! Current MPA students and alumni will discuss why they chose to study accounting and provide details about their experiences in the program, including their favorites classes, recruiting and employment opportunities, and life at Texas McCombs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask the panelists questions!