UC Davis Undergrad Leads to MPAc Success at Deloitte

As a "Double Aggie," alumna Megan Smith decided to apply to the Master of Professional Accountancy program at the Graduate School of Management during her sophomore year at UC Davis.

Having a post-undergrad plan in place allowed her to concentrate on her senior-year studies and enjoy her academic journey. Megan maximized her time by balancing her studies with extracurricular activities. As a MPAc student, she juggled cheerleading and worked as an MPAc teaching assistant and non-profit bookkeeper.

Now, as an audit and assurance assistant at Deloitte, Megan reflects on her time at UC Davis where she learned to use her time efficiently and form lasting friendships.

You completed both your undergraduate and graduate degrees at UC Davis. What's it like being a Double Aggie?

I enjoyed being a Double Aggie because I was already familiar with the UC Davis campus as well as the speed of the quarter system. During my MPAc program year, I had the opportunity to live with my friends from undergrad, while also forming new connections within the MPAc program.

How did your experience of juggling your UC Davis cheer responsibilities, accelerated three-year undergrad program study, and completing the accounting minor help prepare you for graduate school?

During undergrad, I took summer classes to lighten my load during the school year, allowing me to continue cheering in college. Being busy during my three years of undergrad prepared me for the MPAc program as I was accustomed to scheduling my day efficiently.

Since MPAc classes are four-hour blocks once a day, I had time to manage other responsibilities like homework, extracurriculars, and work.

Throughout the MPAc program, I juggled three jobs, including being a teaching assistant.

Being a TA, especially for Management 11A, the financial accounting course for the undergrad accounting minor, was invaluable. It helped me reinforce my knowledge for intermediate and advanced financial accounting courses.

What inspired you to do the MPAc program?

When I started my undergrad at UC Davis, I had already researched the MPAc program because I knew I wanted to pursue accounting. Since UC Davis didn't offer an accounting major, I knew I needed more than just an accounting minor.

Graduating in three years was my initial plan, leaving a fourth year open to participate in the MPAc program, if possible.

Later, I discovered through the Davis Accounting Society, a campus club, that early application to the program was an option. I applied during my second year of college and was accepted. Knowing I had a plan post-undergrad allowed me to focus on my classes and enjoy my final year of undergrad.

What is it about accounting that you love?

I like accounting because I feel like it's more concrete than some other professions. It offers daily problem-solving opportunities, and I enjoy the continuous learning aspect. Despite being in audit for six months, I still encounter new insights regularly, and I anticipate ongoing growth in the field.

 I value the dynamic nature of the role. As for a favorite MPAc professor or class, it's a tough choice because I genuinely enjoyed all my classes. However, two stand out.

Assistant Professor Paul Wong's financial accounting class during winter quarter last year significantly enhanced my accounting foundation. His teaching style made complex concepts easy to grasp, benefiting the entire class.

Additionally, MPAc Senior Partner Will Snyder’s classes were instrumental in preparing me for the CPA exam. His practical tips and tricks proved invaluable during my studies and the exam itself. These experiences left a lasting impact on me.

What does life and growth look like at Big Four?

Working at a major accounting firm, I've found that my technical expertise and soft skills from the MPAc program have been invaluable.

While there's a significant learning curve on the job, the MPAc curriculum provided the foundational knowledge necessary to understand the reasoning behind processes.

Surprisingly, there's a considerable amount of writing involved in accounting, and I'm grateful for the professional writing class offered in the MPAc program—it's proven beneficial in my first year at a Big Four firm.

Regarding career growth, these firms typically have structured advancement paths. Staying committed to personal growth ensures alignment with the firm's trajectory.

Have you had any memorable moments thus far while working at a Big Four?

Yeah, I've definitely had some memorable moments working at Deloitte so far.

When I started in the fall, I had the opportunity to attend Deloitte University in Texas, which serves as the primary training center for all employees across the US. It was exciting to meet colleagues from different Deloitte offices, although I'm the only one from our class based in the Sacramento office.

Seeing familiar faces from San Francisco and San Jose during training was enjoyable. Deloitte University offers comprehensive training resources, ensuring employees are well-prepared for their roles. For us, it was first-year training, and I anticipate returning this fall for second-year training, which is something many Deloitte professionals cherish as a memorable experience.

On the flip side of memorable, wrapping up my first busy season in audit, late nights in the office stand out. During the week, we issued our financial statements a couple of weeks ago. We were in the office until about 11 p.m. on several nights.

Despite the long hours, tackling challenges alongside my coworkers was rewarding. Working out of the Sacramento office, and being able to see the state Capitol from our 20-story location downtown was a unique experience. We even hoped to catch a glimpse of the beam one night when the Sacramento Kings played. But overall, it's been quite the journey.

May you share any advice for people considering MPAc or advice for our soon to be graduates MPAc class of 2024?

I would say for anyone who is considering the MPAc program, it should be an easy decision. I think my MPAc year was one of my best years yet.

I feel like the professors really care about you and they want you to succeed. Also, being in a small cohort offers more facetime if you have any questions.  

I met some of my best friends in the MPAc program and I still talk to them all the time, even though now we live far apart. And for the students to be graduates, I would recommend trying to pass as many parts of the CPA exam as you can before starting work full-time.

Many firms will purposely set your start date after the summer so that you have the summer to study. And it might not sound like fun, but I spent basically my whole summer before starting my job studying for the exams. I would say that it was well worth it.