Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

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Meet Current Texas McCombs MPA Students at Our March 4 Webinar!

February 25, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Join us virtually on Thursday, March 4 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. CT to meet current Master in Professional Accounting students from Texas McCombs! This webinar is the perfect place to receive first-hand information from current students on life in the program, recruiting, and living in Austin.

Register here.

The current MPA students who will be in attendance to share their experiences and answer your questions are:

Vlad CazacuVLAD CAZACU
Home Country: Romania
Undergraduate Institution: University of Rochester
Undergraduate Major: Business, Psychology, & Economics
MPA Track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Planned Career Field: Consulting

 

Sydney TannerSYDNEY TANNER
Hometown: Wylie, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: Furman University
Undergraduate Major: Accounting
MPA Track: Taxation
Planned Career Field: Public Accounting – Taxation

 

Hannah WattsHANNAH WATTS
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: University of Arkansas
Undergraduate Major: Accounting
MPA Track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Planned Career Field: Public Accounting – Audit/Assurance

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

UT Austin Tops CPA Exam Pass Rates

The University of Texas at Austin Leads 2019 CPA Exam Pass Rates

January 29, 2021 / / 0 Comments

In December, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) announced the CPA Exam pass rates statistics, and The University of Texas at Austin trailblazed to the top of the CPA Exam’s pass rates from first-time test takers at large collegiate programs (60 or more test takers).


The top first-time CPA Exam pass rates by large collegiate programs for 2019 are:

  1. University of Texas at Austin — 358 candidates, 89.5% pass rate
  2. Brigham Young University — 273 candidates, 89.4% pass rate
  3. Wake Forest University — 82 candidates, 88.8% pass rate
  4. Boston College — 129 candidates, 88.3% pass rate
  5. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — 77 candidates, 88.2% pass rate
  6. University of Florida — 248 candidates, 86.4% pass rate
  7. University of Virginia — 96 candidates, 84.8% pass rate
  8. Texas A&M University — 351 candidates, 82.9% pass rate
  9. University of Wisconsin-Madison — 227 candidates, 82.9% pass rate
  10. Gonzaga University — 118 candidates, 82.4% pass rate

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) also named 133 winners of the 2019 Elijah Watt Sells Award. This award recognizes test takers who scored a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the CPA exam, passed all four sections of the exam on their first attempt, and completed their testing in 2019. The University of Texas at Austin had twelve (yes, twelve!) Sells Award winners in 2019:

  • Daniel Chang (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Bryan Davis (traditional MPA ‘16)
  • James Hall (Economics MPA ‘19)
  • Kara Killingsworth (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Jerry Lam (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Adam Landefeld (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Collyn Robison (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Travis Sakos (integrated MPA ‘18)
  • Kyle Schoen (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Adam Schor (integrated MPA ‘19)
  • Wei-Ning Tsai (traditional MPA ‘19)
  • Alec Weissman (integrated MPA ‘19)


Section pass rates* for all 55 jurisdictions in 2019 are:

  • 51% for AUD
  • 60% for BEC
  • 46% for FAR
  • 56% for REG

Section pass rates** for UT Austin Candidates in 2019 are:

  • 81% for AUD
  • 92% for BEC
  • 76% for FAR
  • 85% for REG

Section pass rates** for all other Texas colleges & universities in 2019 are:

  • 53% for AUD
  • 59% for BEC
  • 48% for FAR
  • 58% for REG

 

*All first-time test takers in 2019
**All test takers (first time or otherwise) in Texas in 2019

AICPA Legacy Scholarships – Apply Now!

January 15, 2021 / / 0 Comments

AICPA Logo

If you are seeking scholarship opportunities for the Texas McCombs MPA program, be sure to check your eligibility to apply for an AICPA Legacy Scholarship. The scholarships have a March 1 application deadline and are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Scholarships include (but are not limited to):

  • The John L. Carey Scholarship provides financial assistance to liberal arts and non-business undergraduate degree holders who are pursuing both graduate studies in accounting and CPA licensure.
  • The AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students provides financial awards to full-time minority students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting or an accounting-related major.
  • The AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs provides financial assistance to undergraduate or graduate degree students interested in pursuing the CPA license after graduation.
  • The AWSCPA Scholarship provides financial assistance to outstanding female students majoring in accounting or an accounting-related field.

We encourage you to apply and check for other scholarships through the national scholarship search.

Three Steps to Better Investing

November 25, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Advice on selecting mutual funds, listening to CEOs, and considering climate change, courtesy of Texas McCombs research, including our very own accounting professor Jeff Hales.

Better Investing
If you’re looking to make better investment decisions, it’s a good idea to listen to the experts. And who’s more of an expert than a business researcher who studies investing and the stock market.

With that in mind, consider applying these practical research findings from Texas McCombs to your investments:

Seek low taxes on mutual funds. A study by finance professor Clemens Sialm showed that funds with lower tax burdens had higher-than-average returns. That’s why Sialm urges fund shoppers to look beyond past performance and check out taxes as well. “You have to dig deeper in the prospectus, but the information is there,” he says. Research websites such as Morningstar can help. They list the taxable distributions along with the performance of a fund.

Bet on big-talking CEOs. When executives use extreme language on quarterly earnings calls — words such as “astonishing,” “incredible,” and “exceptional” — it can benefit capital markets, according to research from accounting professor Jeff Hales. For executives who speak in superlatives, their words can produce a stronger reaction in stock prices, increased trading volume, and adjusted analyst forecasts. CEO language can even foreshadow a company’s future earnings.

Read the entire article on Big Ideas.

9 Facts You Didn’t Know About UT Austin

November 12, 2020 / / 0 Comments

You may already know that Texas McCombs has the top-ranked graduate accounting program in the nation, but did you know these fun facts about The University of Texas at Austin? Keep reading to learn more about the 40 Acres!

Tower Girl

Tower Girl near her nest on top of the UT Tower

1. TOWER GIRL
The University’s campus is home to many native animals, including our very own falcon living on top of the UT Tower. Referred to as Tower Girl, she was discovered by the Biodiversity Center whose group of scientists and students study species and land use in Texas. She normally lays eggs every year that have the potential to hatch in April or May! The eyes of Tower Girl are truly upon you. Read about Tower Girl.

Gutenberg Bible

The Gutengerg Bible – Photo Credit: https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-gutenberg-bible

2. THE GUTENBERG BIBLE
The Harry Ransom Center, an archive, library, and museum, holds 1 of the 49 Gutenberg Bibles that exist in the world today. Explore one of the first books created with moveable type.

Domino

Meet Domino, the FAC cat!

3. DOMINO THE FAC CAT
Domino, the campus cat, can be spotted sitting on the grass near the Flawn Academic Center (FAC) in West Mall. Many UT students, including a UT professor, take care of Domino with cat food and lots of petting.
Hear from fellow Longhorns about their love for Domino!

Albino Squirrel

While on campus, keep an eye out for the Albino Squirrel

4. THE LEGEND OF THE ALBINO SQUIRREL
Squirrels are very common creatures around campus, but one particular squirrel is hard to find: The Albino Squirrel. According to campus legend, if you spot this special squirrel on your way to an exam, you will get an A!

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce First Photograph

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce’s First Photograph – Photo Credit: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/niepce-heliograph/

5. THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPH
The First Photograph by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is one of the earliest forms of photography taken with a camera. It’s hard to see the image at first glance, but a deeper look shows a residence area in France. The Harry Ransom center purchased the photograph in 1963.

LBJ Library

The LBJ Library is a sight to see! Photo Credit: https://www.goodfreephotos.com/united-states/texas/austin/the-great-at-the-lbj-presidential-library.jpg.php

6. LBJ LIBRARY
UT houses one of the 14 Presidential Libraries called the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Within its walls, the library holds over 45 million pages and many more artifacts about the LBJ administration. Check it out online!

Littlefield Fountain

The infamous Littlefield Fountain – Photo Credit: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/littlefield-fountain-on-ut-austin-campus-karen-stephenson.html?product=art-print

7. LITTLEFIELD FOUNTAIN
This beautiful fountain located in South Mall was created to honor the memory of students and alumni who lost their lives during World War I. It is now the home to majority of graduation pictures as students jump in with their stoles on and often champagne in hand; yet another UT tradition.
Find out more about its history.

Longhorn Logo

The famous burnt orange Longhorn logo!

8. THE ORIGIN OF BURNT ORANGE AND WHITE
In 1855, two students stopped by a store to purchase ribbons to hand out to the crowd during a game. When they arrived, the store owner only had the colors orange and white most of in stock. It wasn’t for another 73 years, in 1928, that UT declared orange and white as the official school colors.
Read more about this legendary story.

The UT Tower

The UT Tower lights up the night – Photo Credit: https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2013/01/why-is-the-tower-orange-now-you-can-find-out/

9. THE UT TOWER
Originally built as a library and standing at 307 feet tall, the UT Tower is one of the most iconic monuments on campus (and on any U.S. campus!). The Tower lights up orange after every sports win with a number “1” on each side to show UT pride, and it was first lit during the 1937 football season. Learn more about the Tower!

Paving New Paths: MPA Alums with Non-Business Backgrounds

October 6, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Some students enter the traditional MPA program with non-business backgrounds looking to make a career pivot. Let’s meet a few of our recent alums who did just that and find out where they are now.

 

Mara EtzMARA ETZ, tMPA ’16
Undergrad: Northeastern University, Criminal Justice
Current Position: Tax Senior Associate, PwC
Location:  Austin, TX

What do you enjoy most about being in tax for your career?
I like the client relationships we have as tax professionals. And specific to state and local tax, I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the differences between the tax laws in each jurisdiction. It keeps things interesting.

What was your favorite class at Texas McCombs?
It’s a tie between Intro to Tax with Professor Holbrook and Mergers & Acquistions with Professor Singer.

 

SSymone GreenYMONE GREEN, tMPA ’16
Undergrad: Columbia University, Italian Cultural Studies
Current Position: Analyst Accountant, Millennium
Location: New York City, NY

Why did you decide to earn your MPA degree?
Even though my undergrad major was Italian Cultural Studies, I was pre-med. I completed the requirements but decided that I no longer wished to attend medical school. At the same time, I was teaching myself some accounting in order to teach it to someone else. I ended up taking a liking to it so I decided to study accounting after I graduated.

What was your favorite class at Texas McCombs?
My favorite class at McCombs was Strategic Control Systems with Jim Albrecht. I enjoyed working on the case studies, and Professor Albrecht was very knowledgeable on the subject of management strategy.

 

Sam HendersonSAM HENDERSON, tMPA ’19
Undergrad: Texas A&M University, Maritime Business
Current Position: Internal Auditor, ExxonMobil
Location: Houston, TX

Tell us more about your job with Exxon.
I am currently an internal auditor within ExxonMobil’s Controller group. While it’s a challenging role, I am being exposed to the entirety of ExxonMobil’s business and interact regularly with senior management. It is a great position to learn about the company and potential future roles.

What was your favorite class at Texas McCombs?
It’s hard to choose a favorite but I would rank the ITAC class pretty high. It combined previously learned theories and applied it to real world business examples.

 

Connect with an MPA Student Ambassador to learn more about life in the MPA program and living in Austin!

Join Us at an Upcoming Info Session!

September 23, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Whether you’re currently in college or just starting your career, move ahead fast by earning a one-year specialized master’s degree in accounting, finance, business analytics, marketing, or information technology & management from Texas McCombs!

During each info session, you’ll hear more about the admissions process, curriculum, and career outcomes within the Master of Science and Master in Professional Accounting programs, as well as what life is like in one of the top-ranked cities in the nation – Austin, Texas!

Register for the info session date that works best with your schedule. We look forward to meeting you soon!

October 8, 2020, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT

October 22, 2020, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT

November 5, 2020, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT

November 19, 2020, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT

A Peek into the Classroom: Tax Research

August 10, 2020 / / 0 Comments

From earning his MPA degree to becoming a Director in PwC’s Financial Markets practice, Chad Clark (MPA ’09) is utilizing his tax expertise both in his professional life and back on campus. Let’s learn about a case he developed for Professor Kristina Zvinakis’ Tax Research course.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE CASE YOU CREATED FOR PROFESSOR ZVINAKIS’ CLASS?
The case was about an investment in a financial product, a zero-coupon bond. It required students to use their research skills to determine the proper tax classification of the investment and the amount of taxable income the investment generated across time. The method for determining taxable income required more than basic arithmetic, so students also had to tap into their Finance 101 memory bank to compute those amounts.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR TAX RESEARCH COURSE?
We learned about issue spotting, research techniques, how to write a memo, the hierarchy of tax authorities, and so much more. Not only was Tax Research my favorite class in business school, I believe it has been more valuable to me as a professional than any of my other classes. I have been working for ten years and I still use the same techniques for research and writing that I learned from Professor Zvinakis.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY TAX?
I liked the idea that tax planning could impact an organization’s bottom line. I appreciated and enjoyed the compliance aspect of tax, but it was the strategy and planning that drew me in.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LIFE SINCE GRADUATING FROM THE MPA PROGRAM.
I have been working with PwC’s Financial Markets group for the past ten years. I spent the first two in New York City and have been in Austin since then. When I am not working I am out enjoying Austin with my wife Kassie, daughter Quincy, 9, son Theo, 5, and identical twins Archie and Hawthorne, 18 months.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND STUDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT BEFORE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE?
Technology and data analytics have become an integral part of business, so I believe students will benefit by developing skills and knowledge in these areas as a supplement to their area of focus within accounting. This was one of the key themes we discussed while debriefing the case study during class.

Photo credit: http://www.mermaidmedical.dk/event/sir-2019/austin-texas-skyline/

Things To Do in Austin During Quarantine

July 15, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Most of us are stuck inside during this strange time in our lives. It can be difficult to stay entertained and feel normal when there are so many uncertainties, especially around when we will be able to leave our homes and roam freely. However, there are many things we can either from the comfort of our homes or while maintaining social distancing that can help alleviate some of the stresses and anxieties that come with this pandemic, along with help us stay connected with one another and the outside world.  

Photo credit: https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/your-guide-to-paddling-lady-bird-lake/

HIKING OR KAYAKING ALONG LADY BIRD LAKE
This is a very popular attraction in the Austin area, and it’s perfect for times like these when we must remain 6ft apart at all times. With limitations on crowds at their hiking trails, and the openness of the water in the lake, Lady Bird Lake offers ways to get out, get some fresh air, and stay safe! This is a great way to still get outside and see the sun, and to get some exercise too! You can even kayak with some friends while remaining at a good distance apart! This will open up so many possibilities of in person interactions with people you’ve only been able to speak with through a phone screen.

CONGRESS AVENUE BATS
If you don’t want to go kayaking or hiking, but still want an excuse to get some fresh air, go out and see the bats on Congress Ave! You can maintain the proper guidelines set by officials to stay safe while enjoying a beautiful sunset followed by some incredible bats! You can also set up a picnic with some friends, again while remaining a good distance apart, to enjoy some company and good food before the attraction!

Photo credit: https://cordcutting.com/blog/home-theater-7-sites-stream-live-shows-concerts-free-online/

LIVE CONCERT STREAMING
If you don’t want to head out just yet and you’re a lover of ACL and other music festivals/concerts Austin has to offer, this is the perfect thing for you! Austin’s most iconic festivals are livestreaming their concerts throughout the pandemic. There are also several artists around the country that are now performing online and you can watch these concerts from the comfort of your home!

VIRTUAL CLASSES
If you’re looking for a way to be creative and grow some art skills during this pandemic, The Contemporary Austin has free online art classes due to this pandemic.  You can tune into their Facebook and Instagram content to watch step-by-step tutorials to get creative and make art! Instead of art, if you’re more interested in getting active and moving, there are so many free online dance classes and workouts through different companies and individuals. Try out a new workout class or learn a new form of dance to keep your heart racing and to stay indoors!

VIRTUAL TOURS
Have you ever been to Blanton Museum of Art? No? Now is the perfect time to! Blanton is offering free virtual tours so you can explore the history and art that is stored inside this incredible museum while staying inside and safe. There are also so many online tours with several other museums throughout Austin and the country in general that are free to attend and all provide a unique virtual experience like never before.

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/278519558186325104/

VISIT FAMOUS MURALS
There are so many iconic photo opportunities that are often crowded with people during the year. However, these crowds have been completely wiped due to the current situation, so why not take advantage of it? You can drive up to SoCo and get a photo in front of the “I love you so much” mural! The mornings and evenings are perfect timings for this since the sun isn’t too harsh so you’ll have some good lighting, you won’t be too hot, and you’ll avoid crowds!

There are so many other creative ways to have fun and stay active during quarantine! These are just a few ways to get some fresh air and also stay entertained! Although some of these are easily accessible from inside your home, stay safe when you choose the outdoor options and uphold the regulations and guidelines that have been set. Stay safe, and have fun!

Earning a Master’s Degree in a Fluctuating Economy

June 30, 2020 / / 2 Comments

The past few months have brought on a sense of uncertainty about the future. Going back to school and earning a master’s degree during these times could serve as a way to overcome obstacles and find stability in a turbulent economy. Read on and learn why earning a graduate degree within the next year or two may be the right choice for you.

FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION
Higher education is an excellent opportunity to grow your skills and explore new ones. Whether you get a master’s degree immediately after your undergrad or after working for a few years, the continued learning that an advanced degree provides you will be useful in the long run. This option can also be used as a means of switching career paths. If the field you currently work in or have an undergraduate degree in is no longer a passion of yours – or you have discovered an interest in a different area – pursuing a graduate degree can help you further explore new careers and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue them.

DELAY ENTERING THE WORKFORCE
When the economy is unpredictable and job openings are few and far between, it can be extremely daunting to enter the workforce right after your undergraduate degree. It may also feel like the workforce is uncertain at a time when unemployment rates are rising. However, pursuing a graduate degree can allow you to not only gain more expertise in a given area, but it can also give the economy time to stabilize before you enter or re-enter the workforce. Pursuing a master’s degree is a great investment and productive use of your time as you plan ahead and wait out the current economic fluctuations.

HIGHER MEDIAN SALARY
There have been many studies done by researchers to analyze the differences in median salaries between individuals with bachelor’s degrees and those with graduate degrees, all other factors being relatively the same. One such study, conducted by Georgetown University, showed that college graduates earned around $17,000 more annually on average with a master’s degree than with a bachelor’s degree. This study went into further detail with breakdowns by major to show that, despite what these degrees were obtained in, having a master’s degree showed higher salaries than a bachelor’s in almost every single case.

The reasons mentioned above are compelling when deciding whether or not to pursue a graduate degree not only in general, but especially during an economic situation like the one we are facing now. With the plethora of benefits from earning a graduate degree, giving this option more weight in your decision process is significant to long term success and growth.

If you are interested in joining the Master in Professional Accounting program at Texas McCombs, the application for the MPA Class of 2022 will open on September 8, 2020.

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