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Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs Students

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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.

 

MPA application is now open

The Fall 2024 MPA Application is Now Open!

August 28, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Join the #1 graduate accounting program in the nation and earn your Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree in as little as nine months! No work experience is required to apply.

From our diverse accounting classes and MBA electives to our outstanding students and faculty, Texas McCombs will help prepare you to work and lead anywhere in the world. We are not just looking for students with an accounting background – those who hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline are welcome to apply.

FALL 2024 APPLICATION DEADLINES

U.S. and International Applicants – Early Deadline: November 1, 2023

International Applicants – Final Deadline: January 5, 2024

U.S. Applicants – Final Deadline: April 30, 2024

U.S. Applications: The admissions committee reviews completed U.S. applications on a continuous basis from November through April. We encourage you to apply earlier in the admissions cycle for scholarship consideration, as less funding is available later in the cycle. You can expect to receive an admissions decision approximately six weeks after completing your application.

International Applications: International admissions decisions are released in two rounds: one after the early November 1 deadline, and one after the final January 5 deadline. We encourage you to complete your application by November 1 if you wish to receive an early decision. Admissions decisions will be released approximately eight to ten weeks after each deadline.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact us or attend an info session if you have any questions along the way. We look forward to receiving your application!

APPLY NOW!

Jeff J

Jeff Johanns Appointed Chair of Texas Society of CPAs Professional Standards Committee

August 10, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Jeff Johanns, an accomplished associate professor of instruction in accounting at The McCombs School of Business, has been appointed as the chair of the Professional Standards Committee by the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA). This prestigious role underscores Johanns’ extensive experience, knowledge, and impact in the accounting field.

The TXCPA, a vital association for finance professionals in the state, has chosen Johanns due to his three decades in the accounting profession and his significant contributions. Having been a member since 1987 and serving on the Professional Standards Committee since 2013, Johanns has actively participated in shaping professional standards and regulations that shape accountancy practices in Texas.

Johanns’ history of influential commentaries on standard-setting issues and a background as a leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP offer a unique blend of academic insight and real-world experience. Beyond academia, Johanns’ expertise has captured the attention of national media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. This recognition highlights his relevance and expertise in the ever-evolving accounting landscape.

Taking the reins of the Professional Standards Committee, Johanns faces contemporary challenges such as environmental, social, and governance reporting, as well as the complexities posed by crypto assets. His wealth of experience and forward-thinking perspective position him well to navigate these complex issues.

Johanns’ appointment not only recognizes his individual achievements but also reflects the excellence of the McCombs School of Business. The school’s commitment to impactful leadership and the advancement of the accounting profession is evident in Johanns’ appointment to this vital role.

Learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program at McCombs here.

virtual panel

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students on July 26!

July 24, 2023 / / 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.

Sells Award 2022

Three McCombs MPA Students Recognized with Elijah Watt Sells Award!

May 30, 2023 / / 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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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!

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.

Is Accounting The Right Fit

Is Accounting the Right Fit for You?

September 27, 2022 / / 0 Comments

If you enjoy working with numbers and analyzing data but also love solving problems and communicating outcomes, accounting may be the perfect fit for you. Accountants determine the financial position of a company so that it can make forecasts about the future and manage risk. They prepare budgets and forecasts, analyze expenditure and revenue and identify where a company can save money or afford to spend more money. Sitting behind a desk all day crunching numbers is a common misconception! In reality, accountants have a variety of roles and responsibilities such as presenting financial information to management, providing financial advice to clients, or investigating fraud.

VARIETY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Accountants are needed in every organization and every industry, from large corporations to small start-up companies and nonprofits, high-tech companies, the energy industry, sports organizations, the entertainment industry – you name it!  Accounting skills are beneficial in a variety of fields such as public accounting, investment banking and financial consulting.

STABILITY AND GROWTH
Accountants are in high demand despite fluctuations in the economy. 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 for accountants. The field provides job security and skills that translate across industries and geographic regions.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Successful accountants require a variety of skills and knowledge such as:

  • Budgeting, forecasting, financial statement preparation
  • Ability to analyze data
  • Proficiency in accounting software
  • Communication skills
  • Leadership ability
  • Organization skills
  • Ability to think critically and problem-solve

These skills, along with many others, are gained while earning an accounting degree and continue to develop as you move up in the workplace.

UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS
Want to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting degree program at Texas McCombs? Join us for an upcoming virtual info session!

REGISTER NOW

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