Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: mccombs school of business (page 6 of 7)

REGISTER: MPA Info Session on Oct 31st!

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

Apply Now to Join the 2024 Incoming MPA Class!

The Texas McCombs MPA Class of 2023 had great success in securing employment. 98% of the class (overall) and 100% of the international students accepted job offers!

Our traditional MPA students secured full-time employment in a variety of areas:

  • 49% Public Accounting – Audit
  • 27% Public Accounting – Tax
  • 13% Industry
  •    7% Public Accounting – Advisory
  •    8% Consulting
  •    3% Finance

and in various geographical regions:

  • 60% Southwest
  • 16% West
  • 10% South
  •    7% East
  •    5% Midwest
  •    2% International

APPLY NOW!

Meet MPA Alumna Rachel Ybarra

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.

 

Student Viewpoint: A Peek Into MPA Orientation

Orientation for the MPA Class of 2024 provided a first look into the MPA program and everything you need to succeed at your fingertips. These four days were fast-paced and full of information!

Day 1

As we finished up breakfast on the first day, exchanging names and hometowns with our new peers, Kristina Zvinakis, the MPA Program Director, welcomed us to the program. Throughout the morning, we heard presentations on health, study abroad, and an overview of Austin and campus. As a new UT student, my bucket list of restaurants and activities was practically full after the first day. I’ve knocked out about five or so recommendations in the first two weeks of classes.

After these presentations, a faculty panel gave us a taste of expectations and grading policies across different classes; this helped immensely when reviewing syllabi for the start of the semester. Finally, the Accounting Department Chair wrapped up the first day. Can you believe all of this happened in about 5 hours? Talk about jumping right in!

Days 2 and 4

The next day of orientation focused on our degree and futures as Texas McCombs grads. We reviewed the MPA degree and how to customize our perfect fit. A panel of alumni discussed various career paths, and the MPA career team gave networking advice we could immediately put to use. And we absolutely did – the day ended with employer networking in a relaxed and approachable setting. The career team also lined up a speed networking event on that Friday to further connections and expose us to employers across multiple facets: industry and consulting, public and private, local and national, specialized and general, etc.

Day 3

Orientation finished with a day of connecting with our peers via small-group tours of the Blanton Museum of Art located right on campus. We took closer looks at some works of art, heard the history behind sculptures, and played get-to-know-you games with our group. It was a perfect summer day and a lovely creative break before the semester began.

               

What else can I say? This program is well worth the summertime walk to campus (even in business professional!).

Hook ‘em!

Cami, MPA Class of 2024

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

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.

REGISTER: MPA Information Session on August 9!

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 August 9 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
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER: Accounting ++ “?” Webinar

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.

REGISTER: Meet Texas McCombs MPA Faculty

Want to hear from faculty who teach in the Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program at Texas McCombs? Join us on Wednesday, March 22 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT as distinguished faculty discuss the program’s curriculum, what you’ll learn in the classes they teach, and how earning an MPA degree from UT Austin will set you up for success in the workforce.

Register Now!

Meet the panelists:

braden

Braden Williams
Associate Professor of Accounting

Braden Williams is an Associate Professor of Accounting in the McCombs School of Business. His research examines the way that firms respond to tax incentives and tax enforcement—frequently in a multijurisdictional setting—and has been published in top accounting journals. He has taught introductory and corporate tax classes to students in the BBA & MPA programs.

 

Lisa Lisa Koonce
Professor of Accounting

Lisa Koonce, Deloitte and Touche Endowed Chair in Accounting, has earned a number of awards and has been consistently elected to the McCombs MBA Program Faculty Honor Roll since 2000. Her research and teaching interests include the judgment and decision making implications of financial reporting. Dr. Koonce’s teaching interests are financial accounting and judgment and decision making in accounting.

 

SaraSara Toynbee
Associate Professor of Accounting

Sara Toynbee’s research examines how recognition, measurement, and disclosure issues in financial accounting influence the usefulness of financial reports. She also has research that examines the determinants and consequences of the matching process in the executive labor market.

 

zachZach Kowaleski
Associate Professor of Accounting

Zach Kowaleski studies the effect of the institutional setting on behavior using the audit and broker-dealer settings. His work has been published in numerous accounting journals. Zach teaches Auditing and Assurance Services. Zach was formerly an Economic Research Fellow at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and worked 4years in PwC’s audit practice.

Visit the Texas McCombs MPA Program…In Person or Virtually!

If you’re interested in exploring the Texas McCombs MPA program and would like to visit us here in Austin or from afar, we have several options for you!

In Person Visits

Would you prefer to see the UT campus first-hand? Submit our in-person visit form at least two weeks in advance, and we will customize a visit schedule based on your preferences.  Meet with MPA admissions, academic and career staff, take a tour of McCombs with a current student, walk around the Forty Acres, and more!

Virtual Visits

Are you unable to visit Austin in person? View a virtual tour of Texas McCombs and take a virtual stroll around the University of Texas at Austin to see what makes us a premiere destination. Reach out to an admissions ambassador to set up a Zoom call or attend a virtual panel to learn more about the student experience.

Learn more about the McCombs School of Business, Master in Professional Accounting program, and living in Austin by visiting our website.

AICPA Legacy Scholarships: Apply Now!

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 15 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.

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