MPAc Alumna Prepares for Future at PwC

By Espy Foft

Even before classes started in the Master of Professional Accountancy program, recent alumna Diana Tran of the Class of 2024 had landed a prestigious Public Company Accounting Oversight Board scholarship and a job offer as an audit/assurance associate position in PwC’s Silicon Valley office.

That’s a testament to the quality of students and the relationships the Graduate School of Management has built with recruiters.

Tran applied to the UC Davis MPAc program while completing her undergraduate degree in managerial economics, with minors in accounting and technology management, also at UC Davis.

Once enrolled in the MPAc program, she joined several student groups, including Davis Women in Business and Economics and the Business Student Association, and served as public relations director for the Davis Accounting Society.

As she prepares to start at PwC, Tran has also taken on a temporary finance associate role at Stanford Summer Session. Tran credits the MPAc program for learning the value of challenging yourself and believing in your abilities.

We caught up with Tran to ask her three key questions about her experience in the MPAc program, the connections she made at UC Davis, and how well prepared she is now for her future roles.

1. How do you feel your time in the program has prepared you for your upcoming role at PwC?

I definitely think the technical skills I’ve gained such as using data analytics tools will be beneficial in my professional career as the accounting field is moving towards automated processes to streamline audit procedures.

In addition to the various technical and accounting knowledge I have gained, the program has helped me develop numerous interpersonal skills such as delivering presentations, public speaking and working in teams that will be extremely helpful when I start work.

Image

I will be interacting with audit teams daily so being assigned different group projects and deliverables has allowed me to practice communicating and collaborating with others that allows us to effectively achieve our objectives.

2. Looking back on your experience, what were some of the most valuable lessons or skills you gained during your time in the MPAc program?

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in the program is that everyone has a personal journey and that we all come from different backgrounds. So being able to connect and learn from my cohort and professors has been invaluable.

In the same manner, knowing how to ask questions and what kinds of questions to ask is also an important life skill to have, especially when you are embarking on the accounting path and working with new people.

I would not have been able to simultaneously pass the CPA exams while being a teaching assistant and completing the program without the help of my support system.

I feel like I have truly gained a deep understanding of the accounting subject and am confident in my abilities as a future auditor.

3. As you transition to your new role at PwC, what aspects of your experience at UC Davis do you think will be most beneficial in your professional career?

Besides the enriching academic programs, UC Davis has provided me with an environment that not only cultivates continuous learning but also encourages students to prioritize themselves and their health.

I appreciate the various resources offered on campus that emphasize the importance of mental and physical health as this has allowed me to balance my academic and personal goals.

The peers and mentors I've encountered here have emphasized the importance of living a balanced lifestyle, which will be a helpful reminder if I ever feel overwhelmed with work.