Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: graduate accounting (page 2 of 4)

MPA Bridge Info Session October 16, 2024

REGISTER: Join the October 16 MPA Bridge Information Session!

October 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you a current UT undergraduate looking to expand your career options? This program allows you to begin working towards a Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) while finishing your bachelor’s degree in your senior year—regardless of your major.

Join our upcoming virtual info session to discover how the MPA Bridge program can fast-track your path to success. You’ll hear all about the admissions process, curriculum, career prospects, and what life is like in the program.

REGISTER: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

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

 

Traditional MPA Info Session September 24, 2024

REGISTER: Join the September 24 Traditional MPA Information Session!

September 20, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the traditional Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process, MPA curriculum, career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

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

 

FAQs MPA Bridge Applicants

FAQs: MPA Bridge Applicants

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you an MPA Bridge applicant with questions about our MPA Bridge admissions process? The MPA admissions team put together a list of frequently asked questions. Find answers and tips below!

What are the eligibility requirements to apply to MPA Bridge?

You must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to apply to the MPA Bridge program for summer 2025 entry:

  • Be a current UT undergraduate student completing a non-accounting bachelor’s degree
  • Have a minimum 3.5 grade point average, both overall and in your major
  • Have senior standing (90 or more credit hours) prior to summer 2025
  • Complete the course pre-enrollment requirements before applying to MPA Bridge (ideal) or before enrolling in MPA classes (required)
  • Have an expected bachelor’s degree completion date of summer 2025, fall 2025, or spring 2026
    • If you plan to finish your bachelor’s degree in spring 2025 or sooner, apply to the traditional MPA program for fall 2025 (with a potential summer 2025 start date)
    • If you will finish your bachelor’s degree in summer 2026 through spring 2027, apply to MPA Bridge next year for summer 2026 entry

When are MPA Bridge admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA admissions committee reviews completed MPA Bridge applications on a continuous, “rolling” basis. Eligible applicants may apply anytime during the admissions cycle until the final May 6, 2025 application deadline. We encourage you to apply as soon as you have completed the majority of the pre-enrollment courses.

Should I submit my application and transcript before fall grades are available?

If you’re aiming to apply early so that you can receive an earlier admissions decision, you can submit a transcript without fall grades. (We will reach out if we need your fall grades before making a decision.) That said, we highly recommend waiting to submit your application and transcript with your fall grades if:

  • You are taking pre-enrollment courses in the fall, and/or
  • Your GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

It is better to wait and submit the strongest application possible rather than overly rush to apply!

I submitted my application. When will I receive an admissions decision?

Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for a decision until at least two faculty recommendation letters have been received. Verify the receipt of your recommendation letters in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Manage Recommenders). If needed, send additional requests for letters through the portal. Decisions for U.S. applications are released approximately six weeks after application completion.

Any questions we missed?

If you have still have questions regarding our admissions process, please contact us! We’re happy to help.

 

FAQs Traditional MPA International Applicants

FAQs: Traditional MPA, International Applicants

September 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you an international applicant (non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident) with questions about our traditional MPA admissions process? If so, keep reading to find answers to some frequently asked questions!

When are international admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA program has two international application deadlines for fall 2025:

  • November 1, 2024 – early deadline
  • January 14, 2025 – final deadline

When are international decisions released?

International admissions decisions are released in two rounds: one after the early November 1 deadline, and one after the final January 14 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 ten weeks after each deadline.

Are GMAT or GRE scores required?

Submitting GMAT or GRE scores is optional. Please refer to this admissions blog post for additional details. If you report GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency. Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.

Do I need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if I studied in the U.S. or another English-only speaking country?

You are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if you are from a qualifying country or if you hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution from a qualifying country.* However, even if you are exempt, you are welcome to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate your English proficiency. You also will have the opportunity to demonstrate your English speaking proficiency in your video essay.

*Please note that the test requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from an English-only speaking country. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS test scores.

Are all of the application materials required by the November 1 or January 14 application deadline?

If all of your application materials are not received by November 1, your application will be included in the second round of admissions in January. The online application completely closes at 11:59 p.m. CT on January 14, and you must submit the application by this deadline. The supporting materials should also be submitted by this deadline or very shortly thereafter. If certain items are still missing on January 14 (for example, recommendation letters or official test scores), be sure to submit them as soon as possible and send the MPA admissions team an email update. Applications that are completed late may be reviewed on a space-available basis after the second round of decisions have been made.

Application tip: Plan ahead! On average, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the official test scores to be sent, received, and added to an applicant’s record.

Should I wait to submit my transcript until fall grades are posted?

If you are applying by the final January 14 deadline, you should upload a transcript by this deadline, even if your fall grades are not available. Any transcript  updates can be submitted through the McCombs application portal as soon as the new grades are available. We cannot guarantee that updates will be included in your application review, as it will depend on when you submit the updated materials and where your application is in the review process with the admissions committee.

Do I need to submit a foreign credential evaluation from WES or another organization?

You do not need to submit a foreign credential evaluation if you studied outside of the U.S. However, if your transcript is written in a language other than English, you must upload an official English translation with the original transcript.

Do I need to submit financial documentation with my application?

The financial information is used for immigration document processing, not for admissions purposes. If you gain admission to the MPA program, the International Office will require the financial documentation before issuing the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

 

FAQs Traditional MPA U.S. Applicants

FAQs: Traditional MPA, U.S. Applicants

September 6, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you a U.S. applicant with questions about our traditional MPA admissions process? The MPA admissions team put together a list of frequently asked questions. Find application answers and tips below!

When are U.S. admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA program has two U.S. application deadlines for fall 2025:

  • November 1, 2024 – early deadline
  • May 6, 2025 – final deadline

The MPA admissions committee reviews completed U.S. applications on a continuous, “rolling” basis between these deadlines. You may apply anytime during the admissions cycle, although we encourage you to apply earlier in the admissions cycle for scholarship consideration, as less funding is available later in the cycle.

When will I receive an admissions decision?

Decisions for U.S. applications are released after November 1 and approximately six weeks after application completion.

What if all my application materials aren’t ready by the November1 early deadline?

Although we encourage you to apply earlier in the admissions cycle when possible, if you need additional time to prepare your application materials (to wait for fall grades or study for the GMAT or GRE, for example), be sure to take your time and submit the strongest application possible.

Are GMAT or GRE scores required?

Submitting GMAT or GRE scores is completely optional. Please review this admissions blog post for additional details. If you report GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency. Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.

Should I submit my transcript by November 1 or wait for my fall grades to post?

If you’re aiming for the November 1 deadline, we typically recommend submitting a transcript without fall grades. We will reach out if we need your fall grades before making a decision. That said, you might wait and submit your transcript with your fall grades if:

  • You’re a non-accounting major taking any of the pre-enrollment courses in the fall.
  • You’re an accounting major enrolled in several upper-level accounting classes in the fall.
  • Your upper-level GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

When are departmental scholarships awarded?

We award departmental scholarships throughout the admissions cycle, although fewer scholarships are available towards the end of the cycle. Therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible.

What if I get an offer from another university, but I’m waiting to hear from UT?

If you receive an offer from another university and need to respond before you receive our decision, send us the name of the university and the admission response deadline. Although we cannot guarantee an earlier admission decision, we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Any questions we missed?

If you have still have questions regarding our admissions process, please contact us! We’re happy to help.

 

Traditional MPA Info Session September 5, 2024

REGISTER: Join the September 5 Traditional MPA Information Session!

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the traditional Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process, MPA curriculum, career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

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

 

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.

 

Career outcomes with an MPA from Texas McCombs

A Master in Professional Accounting Degree = More Opportunities

March 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

It can be a challenge to design the best plan for your future. If you’re into numbers and the stories they tell, you may find that the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree program is a smart choice. Here’s why we think you should take a closer look:

An MPA degree makes you attractive to top organizations.

Accounting is the lifeblood of virtually every company in every industry. Organizations need accountants to track finances, predict future transactions, and evaluate performance. Without highly qualified accountants, businesses have a hard time growing or even surviving. A graduate from the top-ranked Texas McCombs MPA program will be in demand for years to come.

The MPA degree gives you the luxury of choice.

With an MPA degree from Texas McCombs, you’ll have a variety of roles to choose from in areas such as public accounting, industry, consulting, finance and government. Here are some examples of positions your MPA degree could help you secure:

  • Internal Auditor—the employee that’s indispensable to senior leadership and the board of directors. As an internal auditor, you investigate and report, giving leadership key information for important decision-making.
  • Staff Accountant—this role holds more credentials and trains for higher-level tasks than a general accountant. As a staff accountant, you’ll soon advance to more senior positions and management roles.
  • Controller—this powerful management role oversees all accounting employees and processes.
  • Restructuring Consultant—this role points the way when making major business decisions. Restructuring consultants make financial projections and cash forecasts. They also analyze financial data, perform financial reporting, and conduct data mining and research.
  • Tax Consultant—this role helps keep businesses safely legal with tax-related issues, including compliance and regulations, and determining taxes owed.
  • Risk and Financial Advisor—this is another role that informs big decisions. As a risk and financial advisor, you would help organizations reduce or wisely manage their financial risk.

Wondering how well the MPA Class of 2022 is doing?

98% of the MPA Class of 2022 received job offers within three months of graduation!

What’s the next step in planning your future?

This may just be the beginning of your research. If you want to know more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

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!

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.

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