MAcc

As the finish line for the MAcc program officially comes into view, I have entered my fourth and final quarter of courses. When I was scheduling these classes, I did so with two specific goals in mind, preparing for the CPA exam and laying the groundwork for my professional career this fall.

Over spring break, I had the opportunity to travel to Iceland. In a country where sheep outnumber the population of people, it felt like I was in a different world. My weeklong journey was completely different to my daily life as a graduate student at Ohio State. In the midst of my final semester in the MAcc program, I went into this trip as a way to reset and reflect before the last weeks of classes and projects. Here are the three biggest takeaways I had from my trip to Iceland and how they connect to life as a graduate student in the MAcc program: 

Over the past 4 years, I competed as a Division I soccer player at Cleveland State University while I pursued my undergraduate degree. I balanced long weeks of training, games, and travel along with a full course load. Every day was structured and filled with tasks I needed to complete in order to succeed on and off the field. 

After completing my undergraduate degree at Ohio State, I felt I had a strong grasp of the technical basics. However, entering the MAcc program has shifted my focus from simply knowing "how" to record a transaction to understanding the "why" behind complex accounting actions. As I prepare to begin my full-time role in public accounting audit this fall, this shift in perspective has been the most valuable part of my graduate education. 

When I first started the MAcc program at The Ohio State University, I was unsure of several things. From career outcomes and course rigor to connecting with new people, I wasn’t sure what to fully expect.  Coming from a finance undergraduate background and transitioning into accounting, many questions surfaced early on. Would I need to complete an accounting internship before pursuing full-time roles? What would the recruiting process and timeline look like? And would I be able to balance all of this with my course workload?

Before the MAcc Program When I started my undergraduate journey at Ohio State, I knew I wanted to be an accounting major. However, the biggest question wasn’t what I wanted to do, but how I would get there, specifically, how to reach the 150 credit hours required for the CPA exam.

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) program has given me a great opportunity for professional and personal growth. I have learned so much in the first semester, and I cannot wait to continue learning in the spring semester. Throughout the fall, there are a few main takeaways that resonate with my personal MAcc journey.

Deciding whether to pursue a Master of Accounting can feel like a huge step in your career. You may be considering things such as financial costs, timing, or whether you even need a master’s given Ohio’s new rule change to CPA certification requirements. I was in the same position not too long ago, trying to figure out which path was best for me. Ultimately, I chose Fisher’s College of Business at Ohio State because it offered me professional development, academic rigor, and clear direction during a time of uncertainty. 

Many people immediately think of The Ohio State University when they hear Columbus, Ohio. This may be rightfully so as the university attracts roughly 60-70k students each year. However, the city and surrounding areas have a lot more to offer outside of the campus. As someone new to Columbus, my weekends and free time have consisted of exploring and checking out some of the city’s most popular spots.