When asked what every accounting graduate needs in order to succeed, Dr. Martha Eining, David Eccles School of Business Professor and Director of the School of Accounting, said “a solid skill set in accounting.”
It might be simple to say that every grad needs to know accounting, but the fact is that students need a strong foundation of the fundamentals in order to succeed. At the David Eccles School of Business, not only do we provide that ground work, but we provide it through experiential learning from faculty that are shaping the future of accounting.
When you are contemplating a school, it’s important to research what education you will gain inside and outside of the classroom that will create a pathway to reach your career goals.
Interpersonal skills are often overlooked and taken for granted. Dr.Eining discussed how incoming Masters of Accounting students take part in Week Zero. “During this week they have the chance to build teams, work on service projects, and learn how to fine tune their leadership skills.” They also learn professional etiquette and dress, and then have a chance to put it all together at a luncheon with accounting professionals where they can hone their networking and interpersonal skills.
There is no better way to put theory to use than through practical application. At the David Eccles School of Business our emphasis is on experiential learning. One of the most unique experiences students have is to act as an expert witness in a forensic accounting case adapted from a real world situation. Students receive raw data, background information and have to conduct real interviews to gather information. They write expert witness reports in groups and one member from the top group for the prosecution and defense teams is selected to be an expert witness in a real courtroom with real lawyers performing the examination and cross examination. Students can also take part in VITA, where they prepare tax returns for low-income individuals and families. A real highlight is the Low Income Tax Clinic, where students take part in providing free assistance to taxpayers in resolving federal income tax issues and representing those taxpayers before an IRS audit, appeals, collection issues, or federal tax litigation.
Accounting students at the David Eccles School of Business study and learn from people who shape the future of accounting,” says Dr. Eining. Professors at the school have presented their research to the Public Accounting Oversight Board and in front of Congress. Other professors are also working at firms like PwC and Grant Thornton. The support staff is just as strong having degrees in accounting, being CPAs, and having worked in accounting in various positions. They are uniquely well suited to coach and guide students through their educational career toward graduation. They also support our career services group by starting them off in exciting accounting careers.
Beta Alph Psi is another way to strengthen your educational experience. This past August, the University of Utah chapter at the David Eccles School of Business was honored for achieving Superior status at the annual conference of the national organization. There are 250 active and engaged members who take part in networking with firms and industry. The student organization is a great opportunity to promote leadership and demonstrate their commitment to the community.
The level of our education is demonstrated by the fact that the Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, and KPMG) and Grant Thornton have come to the school of accounting for recruiting. These firms search out targeted schools where they know they will have the highest level of excellence in candidates for both internships and job opportunities. The School of Accounting is rapidly moving to a national recruiting focus. Last year 35% of our master’s students went out of state for positions. With recruiting still underway, this fall alone, one of the firms has hosted 31 site visits in 16 states. They recognize that our students are hard working, mature, personable, and well skilled in accounting. But it doesn’t stop with public accounting; our students are sought after by local and national companies, as well as government and non-profit entities. In 2012, the School of Accounting had 100% placement for Masters of Accounting students graduating in May and throughout the past 10 years it’s been above 95%.
An accounting degree provides the background for a variety of exciting careers. We encourage every student to sit for CPA examination. Many choose public accounting, but others opt for careers in industries, non-profits with the state or federal government, or at the FDIC. An accounting degree opens doors to many opportunities that will lead to great success. Our graduates are leaders in the accounting community with alumni in national and international leadership roles at PwC, Deloitte, and EY, as well serving in top leadership at Freddie Mac.