Master of Professional Accountancy | Career Impact

Initial Career Consultation Appointment: The purpose of the initial consultation appointment is to discuss your career goals and to provide you with an overview of MPAc Career Services. We will also explore the various career options you may pursue and consider which accounting area fits best with your strengths and skills.

Resume and Cover Letter Reviews: A well-written cover letter and concise resume is sometimes your first interaction with a company, so it is important to make a good first impression. MPAc Career Services provides guidance and instructions on how to create a quality cover letter and resume, which will be drafted and reviewed during the summer and finalized by early October.

Mock Interviews: Once an employer has reviewed your cover letter and resume, it is imperative that you perform well during an interview. MPAc Career Services works with students to prepare for phone, video and in-person interviews by conducting mock interview sessions and providing constructive feedback to help improve interview skills.

Career and Skill Development Workshops: Professional skill development workshops are offered to help you acquire and hone skills needed to be successful, not only in today’s competitive marketplace, but also throughout your career. Workshops and events include: 

• Navigating Social Media and LinkedIn
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• The Art of Small Talk 
• Surviving and Thriving at Networking
• Accounting Industry and Practice Area Career Visioning
• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• Understanding the Public Accounting Recruiting Process
• Etiquette Lunch/Dinner Event
• Best Practices – Starting a Career in Accounting 
• Professional Attire Overview and Shopping Event
• Building Your Personal Brand

Having a dedicated Career Services team allows students to receive specialized and individualized guidance regarding career opportunities in public, corporate and governmental accounting. We are continually focused on maintaining our relationships with accounting firms and companies who currently recruit on-campus. During fall quarter, MPAc students attend numerous recruiting events including meeting recruiters as well as accounting faculty. During spring quarter, MPAc students have the opportunity to attend the MBA & Masters Career Fair to network with corporate and private companies for industry positions. 

The Emerging Topics in Accounting courses are designed to hone career building skills and prepare you for a successful future in accounting. During the spring, we focus on preparing you for the transition into the professional workplace.

Students who are eligible for employment in the US have the option of recruiting for a part-time or full-time winter internship (January through March) or part-time spring internship (April through June). Eligibility, Internship opportunities, and the overall recruiting process will be covered in greater detail during orientation. A winter internship is an opportunity to experience a traditional accounting busy season while continuing to be enrolled in the MPAc program. Students completing an internship are generally paid competitive hourly rates. One of the benefits of landing a winter or spring internship position is that it may lead to a full-time job offer upon successful performance. Please note, however, that internship opportunities are not guaranteed.

As a student in the MPAc program, you will receive individualized career preparation guidance and training. Career services is focused primarily on preparation for interviews and networking event to help you land an internship or full-time position. We will also focus on building your personal brand, professionalism and executive presence for a successful career in accounting. As a graduate of the MPAc program, you will have met the educational requirements necessary to sit for the CPA exam. We will also offer information sessions and provide guidance on how to apply, study and pass the exam. The Career Services team will provide assistance in preparing you for the recruiting and interview process, but employment is not guaranteed upon completion of the program since the job search process is highly competitive.