Mpa View Book Final
Content
Boundless Opportunies. Long-Term Success.
Master in Professional Accounting The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
“The Texas MPA was the best choice, not only for the academic preparation I'm receiving, but also for the professional opportunities that will be available to me after I graduate. All my classes, every assignment and every team project adds value to my curriculum vitae.” Lindbergh Mendoza, MPA ’08 Merida, Mexico
Latin American Joint Academic Program, Financial Reporting and Assurance and Managerial Accounting and Control tracks
“The wide variety of available classes, the excellent faculty, the devoted and dedicated staff and the diligence and eagerness of the students to excel all contribute to the Texas MPA program’s high ranking.” Anita Csizmadia, MPA ’08 Oroshaza, Hungary (left)
ECO-MPA student, Member, MPA International Connection
The Texas MPA
Join a top-ranked program that will challenge and reward you.
The Master in Professional Accounting Program at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top programs in the nation, and with good reason. Since 1948, the program has reflected an entrepreneurial and forward-looking mindset—the Texas tradition of a can-do attitude that began with early settlers and still pervades today’s high-tech environment. As a result, the Texas MPA program constantly evolves to keep up with advances in the accounting profession, accounting education and the business world. Students can take two approaches to the Texas MPA degree. • he traditional MPA is a 12- to 18-month graduate program for T students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution. The traditional MPA approach welcomes students with undergraduate degrees in any field, from business to liberal arts, science or engineering. • he integrated MPA is a three-year program designed for students T in the McCombs School of Business beyond their sophomore year who are in the process of earning their bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of the integrated approach to the MPA, students graduate with the bachelor of business administration (BBA) and master in professional accounting (MPA) degrees concurrently. Outstanding undergraduate students in the economics major at The University of Texas are eligible to apply for the ECO-MPA path, which enables students to complete 12 hours of graduate accounting courses in their senior year toward obtaining an MPA. The Texas MPA welcomes motivated students whose records reflect a balance of academic ability, communication skills and quantitative skills. The admissions decision for the tradional approach takes into consideration numerous indicators of future success, including an applicant’s GPA, GMAT scores, statement of purpose essay, prior academic courses, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, honors and achievements, and work history (if applicable). Overall ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic diversity within the MPA program is also key, and entering classes are formed with this in mind. For the integrated approach, applicants are considered based on academic performance and GPA during their freshman and sophomore years at Texas.
“I really enjoy the caliber of MPA students, the smaller classes and the accessibility of the professors and the advisors.” Diana Hwu, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Houston, Texas (right)
Marketing Vice President, Beta Alpha Psi, MPA Student Ambassador
McCombs MPA Program ranked #1 Graduate Program, Public Accounting Report (11/07) #1 Accounting (Graduate), U.S. News (4/07)
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Boundless Opportunities
Succeed in a variety of professions or business settings.
As a Texas MPA, you’ll develop a reputation for competence, sound judgment and accounting proficiency—characteristics that senior executives recognize, value and reward. Employers say Texas MPAs dive in, possess a strong knowledge base and quickly become a valued asset to their workforce. Many graduates begin their careers in public accounting and end up as executive officers in dynamic enterprises ranging from global enterprises to innovative startups. You’ll hit the ground running, whether you’re seeking a position in the private or public sector— professional services, finance, consulting, industry, government, not-for-profits—or aspire to be an entrepreneur. A Texas MPA prepares you for a wide range of careers, including: • Public accounting • Finance • Investment banking • Consulting • Industry • Public service, including government and nonprofit • Entrepreneurship • Academia
Investment banking: Bear Stearns, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Lehman Brothers, Lazard, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS Consulting: Accenture, Bain and Co., BearingPoint, Boston Consulting Group, Hewitt Associates, McKinsey & Co., Protiviti, FTI Consulting Industry: BP, Dell, Freescale Semiconductor, General Motors, Halliburton, IBM, Lyondell Chemical Company, TXU Corp. Public service: CIA, FBI, U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. State Department and various nonprofit, state and local government organizations A 2007 survey of graduating Texas MPA students found 93% considered the McCombs MPA a good investment 97% would recommend the McCombs MPA to a close friend 95% would choose to attend McCombs again 96% were satisfied with their MPA experience
“The strength of the Texas MPA lies in its ability to prepare students for many accounting careers without focusing on strict specialization in any one area.” Oseloka Okagbue, MPA ’08 Kansas City, Missouri
Generalist track, Member, Black Graduate Students Association
A sampling of the many firms that eagerly recruit Texas MPA graduates: Public accounting firms: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BDO Seidman, BKD, Grant Thornton, UHY Advisors
“My Texas MPA education clearly gave me a significant head start compared to graduates of other universities. It provided me the opportunity to stand out, which in turn led to me being considered for my international assignment.” Warren Marine, BBA ’89, MPA ’89
Partner, Audit Commercial Clients, KPMG, Munich, Germany
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Innovative Curriculum
Gain broad-based accounting knowledge and hands-on experience.
The Texas MPA offers a flexible, challenging curriculum that takes into account your experience, skills and career goals. Through participation in case-based graduate level classes, you will expand your creativity, think on your feet, and have the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Tailor your coursework to specific career goals by choosing one of four tracks: Financial Reporting and Assurance, Managerial Accounting and Control, Taxation or Generalist. In each track, core courses provide a solid accounting foundation while relevant electives provide specialized knowledge. Each of the tracks focuses on developing written and verbal communication skills, which executives in business organizations agree are vital to a successful career.
The Financial Reporting and Assurance track focuses on interpreta-
tion, preparation and certification of publicly disclosed financial and other data. The track provides students with a solid foundation in financial reporting and in the expanding area of assurance beyond traditional audits of financial statements. Besides work in assurance services and auditing, the track is an excellent foundation for other professional services, such as forensic accounting, as well as consulting opportunities. Industry is eager to hire for positions in financial reporting, internal audit, capital budgeting, project analysis and other areas. In addition, financial management and assurance are also critical functions in government and non-governmental organizations.
The Tax track is designed for students seeking employment in public
Professor Lillian Mills
accounting and private industry, or with governmental and regulatory agencies. This track emphasizes the role of taxation in planning and structuring business transactions. Complemented by account-
ing courses that provide a wide breadth of knowledge, the track leads to dynamic careers and leading certifications. The distinct tax-accounting blend is an excellent foundation for career mobility within and outside of the tax field in all sectors of the economy, from leading public/professional services firms, to industries of all types, to local, state and federal levels of government, as well as non-governmental organizations.
The Managerial Accounting and Control track focuses on how
accounting and auditing information assists managers in making informed decisions in planning, evaluating and controlling an entity. Students in this track also learn how to prepare reports for external groups such as shareholders, creditors, regulatory agencies and tax authorities. Graduates of the track are qualified for positions within professional services firms, such as enterprise risk management, internal audit services, forensic accounting and litigation support. In industry, careers may involve work in a variety of different departments within the organization, such as the controller’s office, internal audit, treasury and finance, cost accounting, and planning and budgeting. Public service offers positions in government entities and nonprofit organizations.
The Generalist track is for students who wish to design their own area
“I think the complicated accounting issues that our professors set before us to analyze contribute most to the Texas MPA program’s No. 1 standing.” Scott Derry, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Pearland, Texas
Linebacker, Texas Longhorns football, Winner, Men’s Athletics Academic Award ’07, Member, University Accounting Association
of specialization. Rather than completing a prescribed set of accounting classes, you have the flexibility to select your own coursework beyond the accounting core, including classes that cover the full range of accounting offerings as well as a maximum number of non-accounting graduate electives, including finance, information technology, strategy, management and international business, among others.
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CPA Exam Success
The Texas MPA curriculum lays a solid educational foundation for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination. If your goal is to satisfy the requirements for the CPA exam, MPA academic advisors will help you plan your coursework so that you will be eligible to sit for the exam by the time you complete the program. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state; your educational background and the state in which you plan to sit for the exam will determine whether or not you will need to fine-tune your MPA coursework to meet your goals. McCombs CPA candidates typically have pass rates much higher than the statewide average on any given part of the exam. Our students’ pass rates also tend to exceed the national averages for each part of the exam. In 2007, the average Texas MPA pass rate was 70 percent, as compared to a national average of 44 percent. Since 2000, six Texas MPA students have been among the 54 national recipients of the prestigious American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Sells Award for the highest cumulative scores on the four sections of the exam on their first attempt.
Prestigious Postgraduate Assistantship Opportunities
Competition for the internships is intense, with only 13 applicants selected nationwide each year. A testament to the quality of the Texas MPA, four students have been named to the internship in the past five years.
A Global Perspective
“The MPA Program is really amazing — it provides the opportunity to do whatever you want in life.” Lina Dimachkieh, BBA ’06, MPA ’06 Houston, Texas
AICPA Sells Award winner, Harvard Law student
As the business world and the accounting profession take on global dimensions, experience abroad gives graduates a special edge as they enter the workforce. The Texas MPA gives you the option to participate in four international programs: the European Double Degree Program, the Latin American Joint Academic Program, and the summer International Accounting Programs in Paris and Hong Kong. Through study abroad, you will acquire an intimate knowledge of international business practices and a broad understanding of foreign cultures—strong selling points with employers.
Hands-On Experience
Each year, the Department of Accounting nominates up to four students for a prestigious one-year Postgraduate Technical Assistantship with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The program is open to all graduating accounting students in the United States.
Round out your Texas MPA education with hands-on experience by interning at major business partners for course credit. A popular internship approach spans half of a spring semester, enabling additional degree progress through accelerated courses in the other half of the semester. Summer internships with numerous employers are also available. Internships emphasize leadership, teamwork and client/management interaction and will give you a practical view of organizations, practice areas and locations that may be suitable career options. In addition, many students find that internships often lead to eventual job offers from companies they’ve interned with.
Professor Michael Clement
Professor Yanfeng Xue
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“Studying abroad was a truly fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to any student. It opens your mind to think outside the box and allows you to see worldly challenges from a different perspective.” Rouzheen Arianpour, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Tyler, Texas
Member, Beta Alpha Psi, Recruited as staff auditor, Ernst & Young, Chicago, IL
Dynamic Partnerships
Collaborate creatively with classmates, teachers and professionals.
As a Texas MPA student, you will take your place in a diverse yet close-knit community. You’ll share viewpoints and engage in group assignments with classmates from wide-ranging backgrounds. You’ll connect with faculty members who are world-renowned for their teaching and research, yet approachable both in and out of the classroom. Dedicated academic and career advisors will partner with you throughout your coursework and career search. Through the MPA Distinguished Speaker Series, you’ll interact with prominent professionals in accounting, finance, government, trade and industry. These creative partnerships are an integral part of what makes the Texas MPA an exceptional experience.
Faculty Academic Advising
The Texas MPA academic advisors will help you plan your course of study from day one. You will feel assured that you are on the right path toward obtaining your degree and that your academic program is aligned with your goals. Your academic advisors will provide oneon-one assistance with • Course selection • Registration • Degree planning • CPA exam eligibility • Graduation requirements and eligibility Academic events and workshops include • Orientation • Internship information sessions • Registration workshops • CPA exam workshops • Graduate admissions workshop (integrated approach) • Sponsored luncheons
Texas MPA faculty members are widely known and well respected for their accomplishments. They have authored textbooks you will use in the classroom, shaped the rules of financial accounting, testified before Congress, served on national and international standardsetting bodies, and articulated new ideas that have influenced an entire generation of business professionals. Their cutting-edge research is reflected in the innovative curriculum they design. MPA students consistently praise faculty for their ability to motivate, challenge and make learning fun.
William Kinney Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Regents Chair in Business • Recipient of the AICPA Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award • Academic Fellow, Securities and Exchange Commission • Member, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board • Past member, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Advisory Council and Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council
Lisa Koonce Deloitte & Touche Professor in Accounting • Member of the University of Texas Academy of Distinguished Teachers • Recipient of more than 10 University of Texas teaching awards • Author of more than 25 research articles published in top scholarly journals • Leader in American Accounting Association committees and activities
“Communication with the MPA program staff prior to admission was very professional and extremely helpful. The advisors are exceptional, the best I’ve ever encountered.” Reid Schellhous, MPA ’08 Boston, Massachusetts
Married to Beth with one-year-old daughter Lareine, Financial Reporting and Assurance track
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“The workshops offered by MPA Career Services provide students with invaluable interviewing, networking, etiquette and resume writing skills that many other universities do not.” Teryl Booth
Campus Sourcing Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
MPA Distinguished Speaker Series
Career Services
A Texas MPA will afford you a world of career options. In addition to the Big Four accounting firms, more than 200 entities representing 25 different industries, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofit and government organizations recruit Texas MPA students for internships and/or full-time positions each year. Prominent national firms from San Francisco to Dallas to New York aggressively seek Texas MPAs, and graduates also work at leading international companies from London to Shanghai to Mexico City. A vast majority of Texas MPA students accept offers for permanent positions before or within a few months of graduating. The MPA program’s dedicated career services and advisors are your partners in attaining your career goals. Through one-on-one advising, professional development events and career workshops, you will have a head start at tackling your job search. MPA career services will help you with • Resume and cover letter writing • Researching career options and specific organizations • Enhancing interview techniques • Professional networking • Evaluating offers Professional development events include • Job search strategies • Mock interviews • Resume critiques • Etiquette dinners • Career fairs • Industry, networking and mid-cap careers nights • Technical computer training • mployer panels in accounting, financial services and all other E market sectors • Alumni panels • Industry Internship Program
Each fall, leaders in public accounting, industry, standard setting, the federal government and academia address Texas MPA students as part of the MPA Distinguished Speaker Series. Presentations cover hot topics such as international standards, progressive businesses, tax reform and policy, and the future of the accounting profession. You’ll have the chance to interact face-to-face with the speakers through question-and-answer sessions and at receptions that follow each presentation. As these professional service leaders, captains of industry and government decision makers from across the nation share their firsthand knowledge, you’ll gain real-world insight on current business trends that takes you far beyond the classroom.
Past distinguished speakers have included Bill Gradison Acting Chairman Public Company Accounting Oversight Board David Walker Comptroller General of the United States U.S. Government Accountability Office Robert P. Hanson Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions Ernst & Young Katherine Schipper Professor, Duke University Former member, Financial Accounting Standards Board Phil Smith Managing Partner KPMG Gary Kelly, BBA ’77 Vice Chairman and CEO Southwest Airlines Thomas Golden Partner, Midwest Region Investigations and Forensic Services PricewaterhouseCoopers Mary Barth International Accounting Standards Board Member Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Stanford Graduate School of Business Glenda Chamberlain, BBA ’73 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Whole Foods Market, Inc. Ambassador Gregory W. Engle Diplomat in Residence, 2007-2008 LBJ School of Public Affairs Barry Salzberg CEO, Deloitte & Touche
Ambassador Gregory Engle
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Energetic Culture
Engage in a diverse community of scholars.
The Texas MPA culture promotes collegiality and camaraderie with your classmates, who hail from the United States as well as from countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Their varied viewpoints and experiences add an important facet to your MPA program. The MPA lounge in the McCombs School provides the ideal place for you to socialize, study or just relax. Through group projects in classes, participation in student organizations and social events, you’ll forge strong and lasting bonds as you draw from your classmates’ diverse backgrounds. You can become an active member of the MPA community by joining one of the many student organizations, including • Master in Professional Accounting Council • University Accounting Association • Beta Alpha Psi • MPA International Connection • Student Ambassadors • Peer Tutors Program Besides providing networking, information sessions, peer mentoring and opportunities to get involved with MPA program events, these groups are a great way to get to know your classmates through informal gatherings and intramural activities.
Alumni
Texas MPA graduates constitute a large, dedicated and cohesive alumni network. Many graduates share information and know-how that comes with being a seasoned professional by volunteering to be a classroom speaker or part of a panel presentation. Texas alumni exemplify the outstanding reputation of our program and are instrumental in helping MPA students find their career direction. As a Texas MPA graduate, you will be proud to join their ranks as a friend, associate and colleague.
Business Partners and Advisors
Since 1958, prominent members of the accounting profession, finance, government, trade and industry have served on our department Advisory Council. The group advises faculty on current trends in business, new developments in accounting practice, career opportunities in the field and skills required for professional advancement. With their input, we constantly adapt the MPA curriculum so that you are well prepared for the challenges of today’s dynamic business world.
Liz Yant, BBA ’77, MPA ’78 Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Houston Advisory Council Member, Accounting Program Texas Star Award winner
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“All the students are very intelligent, and we tend to learn as much from each other as we do from the professors. The many group projects foster a sense of community and friendship.” Paul Albrecht, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Sugar Land, Texas
Plan II Honors, Recruited as business analyst, McKinsey and Co.
“You need confidence to succeed personally and professionally. Graduating from the topranked Texas MPA program gave me a lot of confidence as I began my career — and now as I continue developing my career.” Claudia Torres Yañez, MPA ’98
Senior Financial Analyst, Global Sales and Marketing, Freescale Semiconductor
Living in Austin
Explore the unique culture of the Texas capital.
Demographers call Austin a “City of Ideas” where a new creative class of business leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and visionaries are reshaping the urban model for American prosperity. While providing the social and economic opportunities of a vibrant metropolis, Austin remains a city of lakes, hills, live music and cosmopolitan culture, defined by its gregarious personality, endless opportunities for growth and celebrated quality of life. Features • 1,400,000 residents in the Austin metropolitan area • 172 city parks • 30 miles of urban hike-and-bike trails • rystal-clear lakes, streams, and rivers for boating, skiing, windC surfing, swimming and kayaking • 11,800 acres of greenbelt • 300 annual days of sunshine • Symphony, ballet, and opera • Art galleries and museums • 120 live music venues
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Where Leadership Is Earned™
Dear prospective Texas MPA, Hard work, personal integrity, and a Texas MPA are a potent combination for professional success. You’ll graduate with the tools and capabilities you need to succeed in any professional context: solid analytical skills, a team perspective, effective communication skills, polish and professionalism, a global perspective and realworld experience. The Texas MPA has meaning, value and relevance for any organization. Not surprisingly, many graduates have risen to the highest levels of public accounting, industry, finance and public service. As a Texas MPA, you won’t just stand out—you will excel. Sincerely,
Steve Limberg Director Texas MPA Program
To join in the Texas MPA partnership, contact us
“My Texas MPA not only opened tons of doors thanks to the knowledge and skills I gained, but the program’s culture of hard work and achievement also strengthened me as a person.” César Guerra de León, MPA ’06 Monterrey, Mexico
Enterprise Risk Services Consultant, Deloitte & Touche, New York Office
Web site: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/mpa Mailing Address: Texas MPA McCombs School of Business One University Station, B6400 Austin, TX 78712-0211 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 512-471-6559
Master in Professional Accounting The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
“The Texas MPA was the best choice, not only for the academic preparation I'm receiving, but also for the professional opportunities that will be available to me after I graduate. All my classes, every assignment and every team project adds value to my curriculum vitae.” Lindbergh Mendoza, MPA ’08 Merida, Mexico
Latin American Joint Academic Program, Financial Reporting and Assurance and Managerial Accounting and Control tracks
“The wide variety of available classes, the excellent faculty, the devoted and dedicated staff and the diligence and eagerness of the students to excel all contribute to the Texas MPA program’s high ranking.” Anita Csizmadia, MPA ’08 Oroshaza, Hungary (left)
ECO-MPA student, Member, MPA International Connection
The Texas MPA
Join a top-ranked program that will challenge and reward you.
The Master in Professional Accounting Program at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top programs in the nation, and with good reason. Since 1948, the program has reflected an entrepreneurial and forward-looking mindset—the Texas tradition of a can-do attitude that began with early settlers and still pervades today’s high-tech environment. As a result, the Texas MPA program constantly evolves to keep up with advances in the accounting profession, accounting education and the business world. Students can take two approaches to the Texas MPA degree. • he traditional MPA is a 12- to 18-month graduate program for T students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution. The traditional MPA approach welcomes students with undergraduate degrees in any field, from business to liberal arts, science or engineering. • he integrated MPA is a three-year program designed for students T in the McCombs School of Business beyond their sophomore year who are in the process of earning their bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of the integrated approach to the MPA, students graduate with the bachelor of business administration (BBA) and master in professional accounting (MPA) degrees concurrently. Outstanding undergraduate students in the economics major at The University of Texas are eligible to apply for the ECO-MPA path, which enables students to complete 12 hours of graduate accounting courses in their senior year toward obtaining an MPA. The Texas MPA welcomes motivated students whose records reflect a balance of academic ability, communication skills and quantitative skills. The admissions decision for the tradional approach takes into consideration numerous indicators of future success, including an applicant’s GPA, GMAT scores, statement of purpose essay, prior academic courses, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, honors and achievements, and work history (if applicable). Overall ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic diversity within the MPA program is also key, and entering classes are formed with this in mind. For the integrated approach, applicants are considered based on academic performance and GPA during their freshman and sophomore years at Texas.
“I really enjoy the caliber of MPA students, the smaller classes and the accessibility of the professors and the advisors.” Diana Hwu, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Houston, Texas (right)
Marketing Vice President, Beta Alpha Psi, MPA Student Ambassador
McCombs MPA Program ranked #1 Graduate Program, Public Accounting Report (11/07) #1 Accounting (Graduate), U.S. News (4/07)
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Boundless Opportunities
Succeed in a variety of professions or business settings.
As a Texas MPA, you’ll develop a reputation for competence, sound judgment and accounting proficiency—characteristics that senior executives recognize, value and reward. Employers say Texas MPAs dive in, possess a strong knowledge base and quickly become a valued asset to their workforce. Many graduates begin their careers in public accounting and end up as executive officers in dynamic enterprises ranging from global enterprises to innovative startups. You’ll hit the ground running, whether you’re seeking a position in the private or public sector— professional services, finance, consulting, industry, government, not-for-profits—or aspire to be an entrepreneur. A Texas MPA prepares you for a wide range of careers, including: • Public accounting • Finance • Investment banking • Consulting • Industry • Public service, including government and nonprofit • Entrepreneurship • Academia
Investment banking: Bear Stearns, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Lehman Brothers, Lazard, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS Consulting: Accenture, Bain and Co., BearingPoint, Boston Consulting Group, Hewitt Associates, McKinsey & Co., Protiviti, FTI Consulting Industry: BP, Dell, Freescale Semiconductor, General Motors, Halliburton, IBM, Lyondell Chemical Company, TXU Corp. Public service: CIA, FBI, U.S. Government Accountability Office, the U.S. State Department and various nonprofit, state and local government organizations A 2007 survey of graduating Texas MPA students found 93% considered the McCombs MPA a good investment 97% would recommend the McCombs MPA to a close friend 95% would choose to attend McCombs again 96% were satisfied with their MPA experience
“The strength of the Texas MPA lies in its ability to prepare students for many accounting careers without focusing on strict specialization in any one area.” Oseloka Okagbue, MPA ’08 Kansas City, Missouri
Generalist track, Member, Black Graduate Students Association
A sampling of the many firms that eagerly recruit Texas MPA graduates: Public accounting firms: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BDO Seidman, BKD, Grant Thornton, UHY Advisors
“My Texas MPA education clearly gave me a significant head start compared to graduates of other universities. It provided me the opportunity to stand out, which in turn led to me being considered for my international assignment.” Warren Marine, BBA ’89, MPA ’89
Partner, Audit Commercial Clients, KPMG, Munich, Germany
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Innovative Curriculum
Gain broad-based accounting knowledge and hands-on experience.
The Texas MPA offers a flexible, challenging curriculum that takes into account your experience, skills and career goals. Through participation in case-based graduate level classes, you will expand your creativity, think on your feet, and have the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Tailor your coursework to specific career goals by choosing one of four tracks: Financial Reporting and Assurance, Managerial Accounting and Control, Taxation or Generalist. In each track, core courses provide a solid accounting foundation while relevant electives provide specialized knowledge. Each of the tracks focuses on developing written and verbal communication skills, which executives in business organizations agree are vital to a successful career.
The Financial Reporting and Assurance track focuses on interpreta-
tion, preparation and certification of publicly disclosed financial and other data. The track provides students with a solid foundation in financial reporting and in the expanding area of assurance beyond traditional audits of financial statements. Besides work in assurance services and auditing, the track is an excellent foundation for other professional services, such as forensic accounting, as well as consulting opportunities. Industry is eager to hire for positions in financial reporting, internal audit, capital budgeting, project analysis and other areas. In addition, financial management and assurance are also critical functions in government and non-governmental organizations.
The Tax track is designed for students seeking employment in public
Professor Lillian Mills
accounting and private industry, or with governmental and regulatory agencies. This track emphasizes the role of taxation in planning and structuring business transactions. Complemented by account-
ing courses that provide a wide breadth of knowledge, the track leads to dynamic careers and leading certifications. The distinct tax-accounting blend is an excellent foundation for career mobility within and outside of the tax field in all sectors of the economy, from leading public/professional services firms, to industries of all types, to local, state and federal levels of government, as well as non-governmental organizations.
The Managerial Accounting and Control track focuses on how
accounting and auditing information assists managers in making informed decisions in planning, evaluating and controlling an entity. Students in this track also learn how to prepare reports for external groups such as shareholders, creditors, regulatory agencies and tax authorities. Graduates of the track are qualified for positions within professional services firms, such as enterprise risk management, internal audit services, forensic accounting and litigation support. In industry, careers may involve work in a variety of different departments within the organization, such as the controller’s office, internal audit, treasury and finance, cost accounting, and planning and budgeting. Public service offers positions in government entities and nonprofit organizations.
The Generalist track is for students who wish to design their own area
“I think the complicated accounting issues that our professors set before us to analyze contribute most to the Texas MPA program’s No. 1 standing.” Scott Derry, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Pearland, Texas
Linebacker, Texas Longhorns football, Winner, Men’s Athletics Academic Award ’07, Member, University Accounting Association
of specialization. Rather than completing a prescribed set of accounting classes, you have the flexibility to select your own coursework beyond the accounting core, including classes that cover the full range of accounting offerings as well as a maximum number of non-accounting graduate electives, including finance, information technology, strategy, management and international business, among others.
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CPA Exam Success
The Texas MPA curriculum lays a solid educational foundation for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination. If your goal is to satisfy the requirements for the CPA exam, MPA academic advisors will help you plan your coursework so that you will be eligible to sit for the exam by the time you complete the program. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state; your educational background and the state in which you plan to sit for the exam will determine whether or not you will need to fine-tune your MPA coursework to meet your goals. McCombs CPA candidates typically have pass rates much higher than the statewide average on any given part of the exam. Our students’ pass rates also tend to exceed the national averages for each part of the exam. In 2007, the average Texas MPA pass rate was 70 percent, as compared to a national average of 44 percent. Since 2000, six Texas MPA students have been among the 54 national recipients of the prestigious American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Sells Award for the highest cumulative scores on the four sections of the exam on their first attempt.
Prestigious Postgraduate Assistantship Opportunities
Competition for the internships is intense, with only 13 applicants selected nationwide each year. A testament to the quality of the Texas MPA, four students have been named to the internship in the past five years.
A Global Perspective
“The MPA Program is really amazing — it provides the opportunity to do whatever you want in life.” Lina Dimachkieh, BBA ’06, MPA ’06 Houston, Texas
AICPA Sells Award winner, Harvard Law student
As the business world and the accounting profession take on global dimensions, experience abroad gives graduates a special edge as they enter the workforce. The Texas MPA gives you the option to participate in four international programs: the European Double Degree Program, the Latin American Joint Academic Program, and the summer International Accounting Programs in Paris and Hong Kong. Through study abroad, you will acquire an intimate knowledge of international business practices and a broad understanding of foreign cultures—strong selling points with employers.
Hands-On Experience
Each year, the Department of Accounting nominates up to four students for a prestigious one-year Postgraduate Technical Assistantship with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The program is open to all graduating accounting students in the United States.
Round out your Texas MPA education with hands-on experience by interning at major business partners for course credit. A popular internship approach spans half of a spring semester, enabling additional degree progress through accelerated courses in the other half of the semester. Summer internships with numerous employers are also available. Internships emphasize leadership, teamwork and client/management interaction and will give you a practical view of organizations, practice areas and locations that may be suitable career options. In addition, many students find that internships often lead to eventual job offers from companies they’ve interned with.
Professor Michael Clement
Professor Yanfeng Xue
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“Studying abroad was a truly fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to any student. It opens your mind to think outside the box and allows you to see worldly challenges from a different perspective.” Rouzheen Arianpour, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Tyler, Texas
Member, Beta Alpha Psi, Recruited as staff auditor, Ernst & Young, Chicago, IL
Dynamic Partnerships
Collaborate creatively with classmates, teachers and professionals.
As a Texas MPA student, you will take your place in a diverse yet close-knit community. You’ll share viewpoints and engage in group assignments with classmates from wide-ranging backgrounds. You’ll connect with faculty members who are world-renowned for their teaching and research, yet approachable both in and out of the classroom. Dedicated academic and career advisors will partner with you throughout your coursework and career search. Through the MPA Distinguished Speaker Series, you’ll interact with prominent professionals in accounting, finance, government, trade and industry. These creative partnerships are an integral part of what makes the Texas MPA an exceptional experience.
Faculty Academic Advising
The Texas MPA academic advisors will help you plan your course of study from day one. You will feel assured that you are on the right path toward obtaining your degree and that your academic program is aligned with your goals. Your academic advisors will provide oneon-one assistance with • Course selection • Registration • Degree planning • CPA exam eligibility • Graduation requirements and eligibility Academic events and workshops include • Orientation • Internship information sessions • Registration workshops • CPA exam workshops • Graduate admissions workshop (integrated approach) • Sponsored luncheons
Texas MPA faculty members are widely known and well respected for their accomplishments. They have authored textbooks you will use in the classroom, shaped the rules of financial accounting, testified before Congress, served on national and international standardsetting bodies, and articulated new ideas that have influenced an entire generation of business professionals. Their cutting-edge research is reflected in the innovative curriculum they design. MPA students consistently praise faculty for their ability to motivate, challenge and make learning fun.
William Kinney Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Regents Chair in Business • Recipient of the AICPA Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award • Academic Fellow, Securities and Exchange Commission • Member, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board • Past member, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Advisory Council and Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council
Lisa Koonce Deloitte & Touche Professor in Accounting • Member of the University of Texas Academy of Distinguished Teachers • Recipient of more than 10 University of Texas teaching awards • Author of more than 25 research articles published in top scholarly journals • Leader in American Accounting Association committees and activities
“Communication with the MPA program staff prior to admission was very professional and extremely helpful. The advisors are exceptional, the best I’ve ever encountered.” Reid Schellhous, MPA ’08 Boston, Massachusetts
Married to Beth with one-year-old daughter Lareine, Financial Reporting and Assurance track
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“The workshops offered by MPA Career Services provide students with invaluable interviewing, networking, etiquette and resume writing skills that many other universities do not.” Teryl Booth
Campus Sourcing Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
MPA Distinguished Speaker Series
Career Services
A Texas MPA will afford you a world of career options. In addition to the Big Four accounting firms, more than 200 entities representing 25 different industries, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofit and government organizations recruit Texas MPA students for internships and/or full-time positions each year. Prominent national firms from San Francisco to Dallas to New York aggressively seek Texas MPAs, and graduates also work at leading international companies from London to Shanghai to Mexico City. A vast majority of Texas MPA students accept offers for permanent positions before or within a few months of graduating. The MPA program’s dedicated career services and advisors are your partners in attaining your career goals. Through one-on-one advising, professional development events and career workshops, you will have a head start at tackling your job search. MPA career services will help you with • Resume and cover letter writing • Researching career options and specific organizations • Enhancing interview techniques • Professional networking • Evaluating offers Professional development events include • Job search strategies • Mock interviews • Resume critiques • Etiquette dinners • Career fairs • Industry, networking and mid-cap careers nights • Technical computer training • mployer panels in accounting, financial services and all other E market sectors • Alumni panels • Industry Internship Program
Each fall, leaders in public accounting, industry, standard setting, the federal government and academia address Texas MPA students as part of the MPA Distinguished Speaker Series. Presentations cover hot topics such as international standards, progressive businesses, tax reform and policy, and the future of the accounting profession. You’ll have the chance to interact face-to-face with the speakers through question-and-answer sessions and at receptions that follow each presentation. As these professional service leaders, captains of industry and government decision makers from across the nation share their firsthand knowledge, you’ll gain real-world insight on current business trends that takes you far beyond the classroom.
Past distinguished speakers have included Bill Gradison Acting Chairman Public Company Accounting Oversight Board David Walker Comptroller General of the United States U.S. Government Accountability Office Robert P. Hanson Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions Ernst & Young Katherine Schipper Professor, Duke University Former member, Financial Accounting Standards Board Phil Smith Managing Partner KPMG Gary Kelly, BBA ’77 Vice Chairman and CEO Southwest Airlines Thomas Golden Partner, Midwest Region Investigations and Forensic Services PricewaterhouseCoopers Mary Barth International Accounting Standards Board Member Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Stanford Graduate School of Business Glenda Chamberlain, BBA ’73 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Whole Foods Market, Inc. Ambassador Gregory W. Engle Diplomat in Residence, 2007-2008 LBJ School of Public Affairs Barry Salzberg CEO, Deloitte & Touche
Ambassador Gregory Engle
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Energetic Culture
Engage in a diverse community of scholars.
The Texas MPA culture promotes collegiality and camaraderie with your classmates, who hail from the United States as well as from countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Their varied viewpoints and experiences add an important facet to your MPA program. The MPA lounge in the McCombs School provides the ideal place for you to socialize, study or just relax. Through group projects in classes, participation in student organizations and social events, you’ll forge strong and lasting bonds as you draw from your classmates’ diverse backgrounds. You can become an active member of the MPA community by joining one of the many student organizations, including • Master in Professional Accounting Council • University Accounting Association • Beta Alpha Psi • MPA International Connection • Student Ambassadors • Peer Tutors Program Besides providing networking, information sessions, peer mentoring and opportunities to get involved with MPA program events, these groups are a great way to get to know your classmates through informal gatherings and intramural activities.
Alumni
Texas MPA graduates constitute a large, dedicated and cohesive alumni network. Many graduates share information and know-how that comes with being a seasoned professional by volunteering to be a classroom speaker or part of a panel presentation. Texas alumni exemplify the outstanding reputation of our program and are instrumental in helping MPA students find their career direction. As a Texas MPA graduate, you will be proud to join their ranks as a friend, associate and colleague.
Business Partners and Advisors
Since 1958, prominent members of the accounting profession, finance, government, trade and industry have served on our department Advisory Council. The group advises faculty on current trends in business, new developments in accounting practice, career opportunities in the field and skills required for professional advancement. With their input, we constantly adapt the MPA curriculum so that you are well prepared for the challenges of today’s dynamic business world.
Liz Yant, BBA ’77, MPA ’78 Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Houston Advisory Council Member, Accounting Program Texas Star Award winner
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“All the students are very intelligent, and we tend to learn as much from each other as we do from the professors. The many group projects foster a sense of community and friendship.” Paul Albrecht, BBA ’08, MPA ’08 Sugar Land, Texas
Plan II Honors, Recruited as business analyst, McKinsey and Co.
“You need confidence to succeed personally and professionally. Graduating from the topranked Texas MPA program gave me a lot of confidence as I began my career — and now as I continue developing my career.” Claudia Torres Yañez, MPA ’98
Senior Financial Analyst, Global Sales and Marketing, Freescale Semiconductor
Living in Austin
Explore the unique culture of the Texas capital.
Demographers call Austin a “City of Ideas” where a new creative class of business leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and visionaries are reshaping the urban model for American prosperity. While providing the social and economic opportunities of a vibrant metropolis, Austin remains a city of lakes, hills, live music and cosmopolitan culture, defined by its gregarious personality, endless opportunities for growth and celebrated quality of life. Features • 1,400,000 residents in the Austin metropolitan area • 172 city parks • 30 miles of urban hike-and-bike trails • rystal-clear lakes, streams, and rivers for boating, skiing, windC surfing, swimming and kayaking • 11,800 acres of greenbelt • 300 annual days of sunshine • Symphony, ballet, and opera • Art galleries and museums • 120 live music venues
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Where Leadership Is Earned™
Dear prospective Texas MPA, Hard work, personal integrity, and a Texas MPA are a potent combination for professional success. You’ll graduate with the tools and capabilities you need to succeed in any professional context: solid analytical skills, a team perspective, effective communication skills, polish and professionalism, a global perspective and realworld experience. The Texas MPA has meaning, value and relevance for any organization. Not surprisingly, many graduates have risen to the highest levels of public accounting, industry, finance and public service. As a Texas MPA, you won’t just stand out—you will excel. Sincerely,
Steve Limberg Director Texas MPA Program
To join in the Texas MPA partnership, contact us
“My Texas MPA not only opened tons of doors thanks to the knowledge and skills I gained, but the program’s culture of hard work and achievement also strengthened me as a person.” César Guerra de León, MPA ’06 Monterrey, Mexico
Enterprise Risk Services Consultant, Deloitte & Touche, New York Office
Web site: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/mpa Mailing Address: Texas MPA McCombs School of Business One University Station, B6400 Austin, TX 78712-0211 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 512-471-6559
