Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

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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.

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!

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Why Choose Accounting for Your Master’s Degree

May 7, 2020 / / 0 Comments

There’s a common misconception about accounting being for those who simply love to crunch numbers and sit behind a desk all day. In reality, accountants hold vast skillsets that help make financial decisions and affect the bottom line. Let’s take a closer look at why accounting is the language of business and how it might be the perfect fit for you.

Variety of job opportunities.
Accounting is the backbone of a company and opens doors in almost every industry. Keeping the books for a company, understanding its financial stance, and predicting future financial positions are all responsibilities that fall on the accountant. Without it, a company simply cannot successfully move forward. Here’s a list of just a few of the career paths that accountants can pursue:

  • Consulting and Advisory
  • Financial Services and Investment Banking
  • Government and Nonprofit
  • Private Industry
  • Public Accounting

As you can see, any industry that requires financial tracking needs an accountant, and their high demand offers many opportunities for growth.

Developing transferable skills.
An accounting degree offers the development of many versatile skills, including:

  • Budgeting
  • Communication
  • Detail-orientation
  • Leadership
  • Organization
  • Problem-solving
  • Quantitative Reasoning

These skills, along with many others, are gained while earning your master’s degree in accounting and continue to develop and sharpen as you move up in the workplace. The range of skills presented shows an accountant’s ability to apply them to different fields, industries, and parts of life.

Stability and growth.
Accounting, being in high demand for any business, provides a stable rate of employment despite fluctuations in the economy. This field also continues to grow through the years. Taking a look at data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the accounting field will continue to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026. This rate is higher than the national average for all occupations! Accounting is a field in which unemployment is not as high a concern given the nature of the job and is another reason why it is such an appealing career choice.

Right fit for you?
If you enjoy working with numbers and organizing data but also solving problems and communicating outcomes, accounting may be the perfect fit for you. To sum it up, accountants determine the financial stance of a company so that it can make forecasts about the future and understand the possibilities of each decision. They also record financial statements of the company and are aware of every transaction that takes place.

Watch this video created by the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting program to learn more about accounting and if it’s the choice for you!

Accounting is more than just looking at numbers all day; it’s about building relationships with people and understanding how to improve on previous decisions for better future outcomes. If you think accounting is for you, learn more about the top-ranked accounting program at UT Austin and visit the MPA website.

The application deadline to start your graduate accounting degree this fall is June 1, 2020! Start your application today!

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