Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: Master’s in Accounting (page 2 of 3)

Turning the Page: Celebrating the MPA Class of 2024

June 5, 2024 / / 0 Comments

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the MPA Commencement Ceremony took place at Gregory Gym, transforming the well-known student fitness hub into a symbol of new beginnings. Professors, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates.  

The 2024 MPA graduating class includes those from diverse backgrounds who worked tirelessly to earn their degrees. Among the graduates, Peter Gutierrez’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance and reinvention. Formerly a high school math teacher, Peter decided to make a bold career transition and pursue his MPA. As he eagerly anticipates his next steps, including a summer study abroad in Prague and a  financial analyst role for Dell upon his return to Austin, Peter embodies the spirit of transformation and ambition that defines the MPA graduates. 

Hong Nguyen has a similarly inspiring graduation story. As a first-generation graduate, Hong’s MPA degree holds deep significance not just for her, but for her family. With her family by her side and the support of her peers in the Asian Business Student Association, Hong’s achievement symbolizes the fulfillment of a dream and the promise of a bright future. 

The MPA commencement speakers further highlighted the potential of the MPA graduating class. Professor Steven Kachelmeier noted that the program’s excellence echoes in every graduate’s journey and reflects their commitment to success and innovation. Dean Lillian Mills emphasized the graduates’ role as agents of change and progress while distinguished speaker Paul Knopp (BBA Accounting ‘81, MBA ’83) shared his journey from accounting student to CEO. Paul highlighted the pivotal role of accounting as well as mentorship and resilience in shaping his success. Through his heartfelt message, he encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, celebrate their achievements, and envision a future defined by purpose and impact. 

During the ceremony, MPA Program Faculty Director Kristina Zvinakis recognized students who demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement while in the MPA program. Gracelynn Keener received the CPA Accounting Education Award in recognition of her mastery of accounting knowledge, while Zachary Sly and Krishan Gupta were honored as the outstanding integrated and traditional MPA students, respectively, in their graduating class.  

Prior to the graduates walking across the stage to have their names read and be recognized, Ally Rosmiller stepped forward as the student speaker. Her words conveyed a sense of camaraderie and shared triumph, and she urged her fellow graduates to embrace every victory, big or small. 

As the ceremony ended, the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Each graduate stands at the threshold of a new chapter, armed with knowledge, resilience, and boundless potential. Today, they not only celebrate their achievements but also their capacity to shape the future and change the world. 

 Congratulations to the MPA graduating class of 2024! 

                 

 

Click here to learn more about starting your journey toward earning a Master in Professional Accounting degree at Texas McCombs.

info session

Register: MPA Info Session on November 29

November 22, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin? Join us virtually at the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session on Wednesday, November 29 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT!

Our one-year traditional MPA is open to both UT and non-UT students who will have earned a bachelor’s degree (in any academic discipline) before starting the MPA program. At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail the curriculum you will learn in the program, career outcomes and opportunities, how to apply, and answer any questions you have.

Register Today!

Master in Professional Accounting Info Session
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER: MPA Info Session on Oct 31st!

October 26, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin? Join us virtually at the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session on Tuesday, October 31 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT!

Our one-year traditional MPA is open to both UT and non-UT students who will have earned a bachelor’s degree (in any academic discipline) before starting the MPA program. At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail the curriculum you will learn in the program, career outcomes and opportunities, how to apply, and answer any questions you have.

Register Today!

Master in Professional Accounting Info Session
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

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.

 

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.

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.

REGISTER: Meet Current MPA Students and Alumni on November 16

November 10, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Hear from current Master in Professional Accounting students and alumni at our virtual panel on Wednesday, November 16 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT! MPA students and alumni 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 Texas McCombs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask the panelists questions!

Register Now

Event Details:
Wednesday, November 16
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

Meet the Panelists!

Yadira Avitia

Yadira Avitia  |  Current MPA
Undergrad: Psychology, University of North Texas

Yadira grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and received a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of North Texas. She decided to earn a graduate degree in accounting from Texas McCombs to master the language of business. She strives to service businesses within various industries who are working to make this world a better place.

 

Christine CockerellChristine Cockerell  |  MPA ’17
Senior Financial Analyst at Toyota North America

Christine earned her undergraduate degree in finance/accounting from American University and earned her MPA at UT Austin. She is interested in financial advisory services, particularly in the airline, automotive, and real estate sectors. She was born and raised in Texas and is a private pilot and avid golfer.

 

David O'NeilDavid O’Neil  |  MPA ’15
Senior Associate at Crescent Cove Capital

David earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from UT Austin. He focused his studies in financial accounting, as well as volunteered as a tax preparer through the Tax Practicum course. His passions include corporate finance, new technologies, and investing.

 

Eric WenEric (Junqi) Wen  |  Current MPA
Undergrad: Accounting, UT Austin

Eric grew up in China and went to high school in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a current student studying in the Master in Professional Accounting Program. Upon graduation, Eric will be working as a strategy analyst at Accenture in Chicago, Illinois.

 

REGISTER: MPA Info Session on November 3

October 31, 2022 / / 0 Comments

November 3 Info Session

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting? Join us at the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session on November 3 at 5:00 p.m. CT!

At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail the curriculum you will learn in the program, career outcomes and opportunities, how to apply, and answer any questions you have.

Register for the info session and learn how you can earn your master’s degree in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin!

Register Today!

Master in Professional Accounting Info Session
Thursday, November 3, 2022
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER: Attend an MPA Info Session in September

September 9, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program and attend an upcoming virtual info session in September! There are two info sessions scheduled this where you will hear about the MPA admissions process and how to make your application stand out. You will also learn about the program’s curriculum, recruiting for jobs and career outcomes, as well as what life is like in Austin.

REGISTER: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 – 12:00 P.M. CT

REGISTER: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – 5:00 P.M. CT

Jasmin Blas-MendietaIn the meantime, you can learn more about GMAT/GRE test scores being optional on our blog, and you can sign up for a one-on-one admissions consultation with Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, MPA’s Senior Recruiting and Admissions Officer.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

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!

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