Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Category: Student Experience (page 2 of 3)

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.

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.

 

tailgate

MPA Does Tailgating, Texas-Style!

November 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Earning a Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree is a significant step towards a rewarding career, but the UT experience is more than just the education. The MPA program at the University of Texas at Austin goes beyond the numbers, providing an unparalleled student experience that sets it apart from other programs across the country.

The MPA program takes pride in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community through a series of on-campus events and programs. The MPA program recently hosted a tailgate event at the October 28th game against BYU, where the Longhorns secured a victory of 35-6!

Students gathered to enjoy free food, engage in lively conversations, and participate in the festivities before the Longhorns hit the gridiron. It’s more than just a pre-game ritual; it’s a chance to unwind, connect with peers, and soak in the lively atmosphere that Austin is renowned for.

For those with tickets, the experience didn’t end at the tailgate. Students had the opportunity to go into Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium. Those without tickets continued the camaraderie as they watched the game with friends outside the stadium, cheering on the Longhorns and creating lasting memories.

If you’re seeking a program that goes beyond traditional education and offers a vibrant community and exciting opportunities, the MPA program at Texas McCombs is the perfect fit. Joining the MPA program means more than just preparing for a successful career; it means becoming a part of the rich tapestry of the Longhorn family, where every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and create lasting memories.

Learn more about the MPA program and discover why there’s no better place to earn your master’s than at the University of Texas at Austin by attending an info session.

10/28 Tailgate:

MPA Tailgate   MPA Tailgate

MPA Tailgate    MPA Tailgate

Student Viewpoint: The MPA Community

November 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Since joining the MPA Program at The University of Texas at Austin, I’ve grown academically, professionally, and most of all, personally. The program offers tons of unique opportunities to interact with your peers, faculty, and industry professionals within and outside of the standard course curriculum. Between workshops, panels, and sponsored events there are numerous ways to make connections and expand your network.

The coursework is relevant and has been demanding, but I have found that the MPA faculty are always there to support you while also challenging you to be your best. From professors eager to help with any questions or problems you may encounter, to career coaches assisting in resume writing, to interview preparation, the MPA program has been a great experience. And, while the program is rigorous and truly prepares you for your career, it’s not all debits and credits.

I’ve made some great connections within the MPA community. The MPA program sponsors an intramural basketball team that I joined this semester. It’s been a fun outlet and allowed me to build friendships with MPA classmates. We’ve all found it refreshing to have an outlet to easily unplug, recharge, and get some physical activity in to stay level-headed and reduce stress. This is one of many ways the MPA program helps build a close-knit community.

In addition to the networking opportunities, there are clubs, social events, and even opportunities to study abroad. It can be easy to be focused on your coursework and forget to spend time with people outside classes. These opportunities can be a great way to connect to the MPA, McCombs, and even the greater UT community.

My time thus far in the program has been incredible and I know it will be worthwhile. I cannot recommend it enough!

Hook ‘em!

Peter Gutierrez, MPA Class of 2024

Student Viewpoint: A Peek Into MPA Orientation

September 5, 2023 / / 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

Meet the MPA ambassadors

Meet the MPA Student Ambassadors

March 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments
Are you interested in the Master in Professional Accounting program at The University of Texas at Austin? Learn about life at Texas McCombs, employment recruiting, and living in Austin first-hand from our MPA student ambassadors! Ambassadors are current students who are available to answer questions about their experiences in the MPA program.

Get to know our student ambassadors:

Joseph
Joseph Hsu
  • Favorite Netflix show: The Crown
  • Go-to Austin food: BBQ
  • Best study spot: Robert B. Rowling Hall
  • Home Country: Taiwan
  • Career Interests: Audit/Assurance Services

Armani

Armani Sampat
  • Favorite Netflix show: Seinfeld
  • Go-to Austin food: Street Tacos
  • Best study spot: Perry-Castañeda Library
  • Home country: India
  • Career Interest: Taxation

Jack

Jack Rollings:
  • Favorite Netflix show: Ozark
  • Go-to Austin food: Granny’s Tacos
  • Best study spot: Merit Coffee
  • Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
  • Career Interests: Audit/Assurance Services

Landon

Landon Christensen:
  • Favorite Netflix show: The Office
  • Go-to Austin food: Chuy’s
  • Best study spot: Campus
  • Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
  • Career Interest: Taxation

Lynn

Lynn Ashby
  • Favorite Netflix show: Last Chance U
  • Go-to Austin food: Cabo Bob’s
  • Best study spot: Study Rooms in Robert B. Rowling Hall
  • Hometown: Houston, Texas
  • Career Interests: Advisory, Forensics

Melissa

Melissa Liang
  • Favorite Netflix show: Sandman
  • Go-to Austin food: Tex-Mex
  • Best study spot: MPA Student Lounge
  • Homecountry: Taiwan
  • Career Interests: Audit or Taxation
What is something that surprised you about the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program?

MPA ambassadors share what surprised them about the MPA program!

Keep in mind that our ambassadors are not directly involved in the admissions process and therefore cannot answer admissions-related questions. Visit our admissions web page for details about the admissions process and reach out to the MPA admissions team MPA@mccombs.utexas.edu if you have any questions.

Our ambassadors look forward to hearing from you!

Meet Current MPA Student Tabetha Wilhelm!

May 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Tabetha Wilhelm grew up around accounting, so when it came time to earn her master’s degree, she had one program in mind: Texas McCombs MPA. Read on to learn more about Tabetha and life in the Master in Professional Accounting program.

 

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I’m from San Antonio, Texas!

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN ACCOUNTING?
I come from a family of accountants and small business owners, so accounting has been part of my life whether I knew it or not. My dad earned his accounting degree in Germany in the ’60s before he immigrated to Texas.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND THE TEXAS McCOMBS MPA PROGRAM?
The Texas McCombs MPA Program has been my dream program since I started college. I could have worked on a master of accountancy at several different schools in San Antonio, but I knew that coming to Austin was the right choice because I knew I would have top tier professors. Plus, the design of the program provides the opportunity to take courses in the areas of accounting that I am interested in studying and I’m not regulated to a set pre-determined set of classes. I do have required coursework, but the ability to take and the access to elective business and accounting classes stands out compared to the other programs where I was admitted.

Tabetha Wilhem Graduation

WHAT HAS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS BEEN SO FAR AND WHY?
Corporate Tax (aka Taxation of Entities-I). Professor Johnston-Blair is wonderful and makes class so much fun. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in an accounting class in my life!

WHAT ARE YOUR POST-GRADUATE PLANS?
Over Spring Break, I accepted an offer to join the EY tax team in their San Antonio office, and I am scheduled to start in July 2022!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS?
I have many favorites when it comes to UT’s campus. I love Littlefield Home because I’m a sucker for Victorian architecture, and I also loved having class in Rowling Hall (the McCombs School of Business graduate building). The benches outside the Harry Ransom Center are also a nice quiet place to have lunch outside (and hey, we have a Gutenberg Bible in the HRC!). The turtle pond behind the tower is also a great place to visit.

ANY TIPS FOR THOSE LOOKING INTO THE PROGRAM?
There’s a reason why the MPA program is so highly rated; our professors are amazing and on top of being great educators, they also have the professional experience to back up their knowledge. The career services and networking available to MPA students has already been incredibly useful.

Learn more about the MPA program by attending an event or meeting with the admissions team. The application for fall 2023 admission opens this August!

Meet Current MPA Student, Alerie Sebastian

April 29, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Alerie Sebastian is a traditional Master in Professional Accounting student who is graduating this May. Let’s learn about her experience at Texas McCombs, how virtual classes are going, and what her post-graduate plans are.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM, ALERIE?
Fords, New Jersey!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY ACCOUNTING?
Financial statements and accounting reports tell stories. I wanted to learn the “language of business,” as Warren Buffett says, and how to create, analyze, and communicate the financial information needed to make important business decisions.

AND WHY DID YOU COME TO TEXAS McCOMBS?
I chose UT because it was in a city I wanted to move to and it offered endless career opportunities. Additionally, since it’s ranked #1 in the nation, I wanted to challenge myself. I knew that going to UT would be difficult but it would change me for the better.

WHAT ARE YOUR POST-GRADUATE PLANS?
After graduation, I will be working in Austin, Texas as a management consultant for Sense Corp!

HOW ARE YOU ADJUSTING TO THE REMOTE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?
I consider myself an “extroverted introvert,” so I honestly love remote learning because it is straight to the point. And without travel and traffic, I have more time to work on my hobbies! However, it’s sad that I currently cannot see all the friends I have made at UT; I have met so many people who have made my MPA experience so amazing!

Alerie and some of her MPA friends visit Lucy’s Fried Chicken in Austin.

WHAT’S AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?
I run an Instagram page (@girlmeetswealth) which is all about getting people to learn how to control their money so that money does not control them. The statistics surrounding the financial health of Americans are alarming, and I want to help as many people as I can through the power of social media.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT?
Managing @girlmeetswealth takes up most of my time. On top of that, I love watching combat sports like boxing and MMA. Once the pandemic is over, I plan on joining an MMA gym!

ANY TIPS FOR INCOMING MPA STUDENTS OR THOSE LOOKING INTO ACCOUNTING?
For incoming MPA students, think about what you want to do with your MPA degree. For example, are you interested in audit, tax, industry, or consulting? Accounting is not just about the Big 4. Learn as much as you can about potential career paths because you can do so many different things with a graduate accounting degree.

For those exploring accounting, I have similar advice. Ask yourself, “Why accounting over any other field?” and “What do you want to do with your degree?”

ONE LAST THING… WILL YOU FILL OUR THIS QUESTIONNAIRE FOR US?!

Meet more current MPA students here!

Learn About the MPA Consulting Club!

March 5, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Are you looking for a career in consulting or advisory? Then you have come to the right place! We interviewed Sarah Childers, MPA ’20 and former president of the Master in Professional Accounting Consulting Club (MPA CC), to tell us more about this student org and its resources for MPA students at Texas McCombs.

WHAT IS THE MPA CONSULTING CLUB?
The MPA Consulting Club is an organization to prepare and inform MPA students about careers in advisory and consulting.

WHY WAS MPA CC STARTED, AND HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
Recruiting for consulting and advisory is quite different than audit and tax, and it requires additional steps in recruitment strategy and interview preparation. Therefore, a few MPAs started this student org three years ago to help students prepare for a career in consulting/advisory.

HOW DOES THIS ORGANIZATION HELP MPA STUDENTS?
It provides resources for interview prep, case partners, workshops with employers, networking with employers and alumni, mentorship, recruitment strategy development, case interview preparation, and more.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT MPA CONSULTING CLUB?
Mentorship! You can learn a lot from other students’ recruiting successes and mishaps. It’s a great community full of intelligent, driven MPAs.

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS DOES MPA CC HOST?
We host networking and technical workshops (valuation, deck-building, case prep), as well as informational (what is consulting/advisory, who recruits at Texas McCombs, how do I recruit) and social events.

HOW HAS MPA CC PREPARED YOU FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER?
It has given me more insight into consulting/advisory so I know what to expect in the working world (and what positions I would excel in). Mentorship has also guided me in choosing the right job and company, and from a technical standpoint, I feel prepared for interviews and financial modeling.

HOW CAN STUDENTS JOIN MPA CC?
Come to a meeting! There are annual dues (contact Xinyi Lu for more information). You can also fill out this interest form or visit our website at texasmpacc.org to learn more.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT MPA CC?
Those interested in investment banking may benefit from the mentorship and technical workshops that MPA CC offers.

To connect with the current MPA CC Executive Board members, view their homepage or send them a message.

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