Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

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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.

Take a peek inside an MPA class

Peek into the Classroom: Financial Statement Analysis

April 13, 2023 / / 0 Comments

As a student in the MPA program, you can take many interesting and challenging classes that will help prepare you for a successful future in accounting. One such class is Financial Statement Analysis taught by Dr. Patrick Badolato. This case-based course is unique in that it moves away from mechanical calculations and towards critical thinking by using an array of financial information to understand past performance and form predictions for the future. It involves interdisciplinary discussions that dig into the “why” behind the data. In class, students holistically use ratios, financial statements, footnotes, and other information to tackle perspectives such as: What business reasons and strategies drive performance?

This class provides a lifetime of value for students in the MPA program and highlights the many ways accounting is valuable in the business world. Learn more about Financial Statement Analysis from Professor Badolato and an MPA student in this video!

Want to learn more about Professor Badolato, the classes he teaches, and why he loves accounting? Watch the video below!

Does this class sound interesting to you? If you are exploring a future in accounting and want to know more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

peek inside the classroom

Peek into the Classroom: Corporate Tax

April 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

As a student in the MPA program, you can take many interesting and challenging classes that will help prepare you for a successful future in accounting. One such class is Corporate Tax. A fundamental aspect of all financial transactions is the tax cost of the transaction. Understanding how businesses and individuals are taxed is crucial for accounting professionals. Corporate Tax, focusing on the taxation of C corporations and their shareholders, is taught by Professor Donna Johnston-Blair, an MPA student favorite.

In Corporate Tax, students learn about the life cycle of a corporation from a tax perspective. The class starts with the tax consequences of incorporation. The next step in a C corp’s tax life cycle is the calculation of a corporation’s taxable income (students even practice preparing a corporate tax return). Professor Johnston-Blair also explores various strategies that C corps and their shareholders can employ to minimize their tax burden, including deferring income, accelerating deductions, and taking advantage of tax credits.

In the second part of the course, the focus shifts to the tax consequences of corporate distributions and then, the corporation’s end (aka, liquidation). These transactions create unique tax consequences for a corporate shareholders. Understanding these consequences can set an accounting professional apart from their peers.

While learning the corporate tax rules, students also explore ethical and professional issues that arise for tax professionals related to tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax fraud.

“Donna brings everything I learned in tax together. She’s always available inside and outside the class and provides thorough explanations and constructive advice. She is the most charming and lively professor I can ever ask for! My MPA experience would not be the same without her!”
– Letitia Wu, MPA Student

Corporate Tax provides MPA student with a comprehensive understanding of taxation of C corps. Professor Johnston-Blair encourages class discussion and incorporates real-life examples to help students understand both the complexities and the nuances of C corp taxation.

Taxation of Entities 1 Class

Taxation of Entities 1 Professor Johnston-Blair in action!

Does this class sound interesting to you? If you are exploring a future in accounting and want to know more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

Accounting++?

REGISTER: Accounting ++ “?” Webinar

March 16, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This spring, the Texas McCombs MPA Program has been hosting the “Accounting++” series, to introduce students to various careers in which accounting knowledge is valued. At each event, we highlight a career path that benefits from having a master’s degree in accounting (MPA). Our final event is titled Accounting ++ “?”. If you are thinking of choosing a major or applying to the MPA program, register now to hear from accountants with diverse backgrounds working in a variety of areas to get your questions answered.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
5:30 – 6:30 pm CT

Register Now!

Meet the Panelists!

BillBill Fan
Tax Analyst, SpaceX

SpaceX designs and builds its reusable rockets and spacecraft. Their goal is to reduce space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. Bill works in their tax function to ensure that SpaceX is both meeting its tax reporting and compliance obligations and operating in a tax-efficient manner.

 

VirginiaVirgina Hoskins
Director, Department of Physics, UT Austin

The Physics Department at UT is an internationally recognized research college and ranks highly in the National Research Council surveys of doctoral programs in the US. Virginia’s work ensures that the Department can meet its current and aspirational goals, by stewarding its financial processes.

 

NikkiNikki Ellis
Tax Manager, Deloitte

Deloitte provides tax compliance and consulting services to public and private companies. Digitization, ESG, and workforce mobility fundamentally affect the taxes companies pay and make this an interesting and challenging area of work. Tax professionals are their client’s strategic advisors. They work to assess their client’s tax obligations accurately and efficiently, ensuring that they are well served and that governments have the resources to meet their operating needs.

 

CedricCedric Kudowor
Senior, Accounting & Reporting Advisory, Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit and assurance services to help organizations ensure that their businesses operate efficiently and profitably, following applicable governing standards. Auditors, by verifying and testing the information in financial and other regulated reporting, enhance the trust placed in the financial markets and, in so doing, help a multi-trillion dollar capital market system function with greater confidence.

 

JohnJohn Strother
Senior Consultant, Modeling Advisory, Deloitte

Deloitte’s valuation and modeling services teams work with clients to better forecast and analyze various data points to better understand risks facing their businesses, to reduce costs, and to accurately price acquisitions and sales. Their clients include public and private companies in industries such as private equity, real estate, manufacturing, and technology.

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,000 private companies.

View the MPA Class of 2022 Profile

April 1, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Check out the profile of the traditional Master in Professional Accounting Class of 2022! These students came to Texas McCombs from a variety of backgrounds and with an array of experiences and started classes in the fall of 2021. They will graduate this spring or summer.

MPA Class of 2022 Profile

 

The traditional MPA application is still open for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Apply today and join the MPA Class of 2023! The application deadline is April 30, 2022.

Register for the Upcoming MPA Faculty Panel

October 25, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Discover more about earning your Master in Professional Accounting degree by meeting the faculty who teach in the program at our upcoming webinar on Thursday, October 28 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT.

Join us at the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Faculty Panel to meet Professors Gretchen Charrier, Steve Goodson, Donna Johnston-Blair, and John McInnis. You’ll hear about their backgrounds and why accounting is such an important facet of business, as well as get your questions answered on the MPA curriculum, the classes they teach, and what life is like in the program. The panel will be facilitated by Program Director Kristina Zvinakis.

We hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 28 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT – REGISTER

Gretchen CharrierGRETCHEN CHARRIER
Fall 2021 Class: Governmental Accounting

Gretchen earned her bachelor’s in accounting at the University of Kentucky and is an alum of our very own MPA program here at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing her MPA degree, Gretchen worked with KPMG and PwC. She has been teaching at the McCombs School of Business since 1997.

 

Stephen GoodsonSTEVE GOODSON
Fall 2021 Class: Internal Auditing and Control

Steve has worked as audit and quality assurance staff and as a consultant for companies ranging from the Texas Department of Public Safety to the National Football League. Before coming to Texas McCombs, he was the Chief Internal Auditor for the University of North Texas and has been teaching in the MPA program since 2016.

 

Donna Johnston-BlairDONNA JOHNSTON-BLAIR
Spring 2022 Classes: Tax Practicum & Taxation of Entities

Donna earned her MBA from the University of Toronto and is CPA certified in California, Colorado, and Texas. After working in public accounting as a tax manager, she started her own tax consulting firm and began teaching at universities. Donna has been with Texas McCombs since 2013 teaching financial, managerial, and tax accounting.

 

John McInnisJOHN McINNIS
Fall 2021 Class: Financial Accounting Standards and Analysis II

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s from The University of Texas at Austin, John received his PhD from the University of Iowa. He has been teaching financial accounting in the MPA program since 2008 and has published articles in top scholarly journals including The Accounting Review, Journal of Finance, Management Science, and more.

A Peek Into the Classroom: Strategic Control Systems

April 1, 2021 / / 0 Comments

He started as a guest speaker in Strategic Control Systems and is now teaching the class! Jim Albrecht has been the course’s instructor for 15 years. Read on to learn more about this class.

Jim Albrecht Zoom

WHY DO STUDENTS TAKE STRATEGIC CONTROL SYSTEMS?
We never touch a debit or credit and barely look at any financial statements. Yet the course addresses concepts that may well fill their workday 15 or more years down the road, if a student aspires to be in a position of financial leadership.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE COURSE?
It emphasizes viewing an organization from the perspective of a CFO, CEO, or COO. It teaches students about concepts and methods embraced in the area of strategic business control techniques that are crucial to financial leadership success.

HOW HAS TEACHING REMOTELY BEEN?
I believe there is no substitute for being in the classroom in person, but the remote environment has worked quite well. The students appear more willing to speak-up. Plus, not having to get dressed and walk across campus has resulted in near perfect attendance!

Learn more about the MPA curriculum here.

 

The application to join the incoming fall 2021 class is still open! Reach out to us or start your application today! The deadline to apply is April 30, 2021.

Meet Stephen Smith, MPA Program Senior Director

June 13, 2019 / / 0 Comments

You may have seen the name Steve Smith on this blog, or you may have talked to him on the phone or met him in person, but let’s take a closer look at the Senior Director and leader of the MPA Program Office with a quick Q&A.

Stephen Smith, MPA Senior Director

 

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, STEVE.
I’ve been happily married to Stuart (a Texas McCombs BBA grad) for 22 years and am a proud dad of two wonderful kids: Mackenzie, who is in her second year at Northwestern University, and Whit, who is graduating from Anderson High this year. I am a native North Carolinian and enjoy hiking and skiing every chance I get. My undergraduate accounting degree is from NC State, and I hold an MS in Accounting from the University of Virginia. I worked in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and PwC, as well as in industry with Dell.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO UT-AUSTIN?
Stuart and I originally moved to Austin 20 years ago when I entered the accounting PhD program. After one year in the program, I realized it wasn’t for me and went to work at Dell. Luckily, eight years later, Ross Jennings asked if I would teach a section of managerial accounting, and Brian MacDonald (the former treasurer at Dell) gave me the go-ahead. Three months later, I left Dell and have been teaching ever since. I took a leadership role in the MPA program three years ago.

WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR THE MPA PROGRAM?
I have two main goals for the program: increasing student diversity and developing a stronger MPA community. We can achieve success in regards to diversity with a more proactive marketing effort. As for building community with our current students, I’d like to create more opportunities for students to engage outside of the classroom through activities like tailgates, dinners, trivia nights, and escape rooms. In terms of community for alumni, I’d like to have even more MPA alums stay engaged with the program in the role of mentors to current students and as a resource to help prospective students understand the benefits of an MPA degree.

WHAT MAKES THE MPA PROGRAM DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS?
There are four things that distinguish our program. It starts with our students. We are fortunate that such a densely talented group of students come to Texas McCombs and the MPA program. Second, we have a faculty that is dedicated to both research and teaching; they create a rigorous, relevant, and stimulating academic environment. Third, the MPA Program Office carefully works with each student to develop a degree plan and offers significant amounts of career counseling. Last but not least, we have great relationships with an engaging and diverse group of employers. This enables our MPA students to learn about the many employment options available to MPAs as they launch their careers.

WHAT CLASSES ARE YOU CURRENTLY TEACHING?
I teach ACC 311 (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting) and ACC 312 (Fundamentals of Managerial Accounting). I enjoy being many students’ first professor for a business course and work hard to spark an interest in accounting.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I played racquetball competitively in high school and early on in college. I won two state junior championships and competed at a national level. Some of my longest and deepest friendships began through racquetball. I tried something new this semester and played doubles intramurals with current MPA student Andrew Bramlett. I don’t move quite as quickly as I once did, but we had a blast! Since Andrew is graduating this year, I’ll be looking for a new partner next year.

Welcome Traditional MPA Class of 2020!

June 6, 2019 / / 0 Comments

It’s official! The Master in Professional Accounting program has our traditional MPA Class of 2020!

We have students joining us from four different countries (China, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and the United States), as well as from 15 different states.

From biology and Spanish to mathematics and accounting, the MPA Class of 2020 has a wide range of skills and undergraduate majors. Some have earned MBAs and some have Master of Science degrees, but all of these admitted students will come together to study at the top-ranked graduate accounting program in the nation.

Let’s take a closer look at our Class of 2020 with our incoming students’ profile:

We are looking forward to seeing all of our students together for the first time at the tMPA Fall Orientation starting August 20! Some students will have the chance to meet each other beforehand in summer classes and career workshops.

Welcome to Texas McCombs, Class of 2020! Hook ’em!

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