EXAM

At the same time, Lidder is preparing to take the CPA exam The University launched the MAcc program in 2018 to help students satisfy the 150 college credits required to qualify for CPA licensure Bingaman added that while the MAcc is not a CPA exam preparation platform, the program offers both broad-based advanced topics as well as CPA exam classes

Bingaman explained that the MAcc program ’ s mission of preparing the next generation of CPAs is becoming increasingly essential, as about 75% of today’s CPAs are expected to retire in the next 15 years This shift in the workforce is creating a demand by businesses, organizations and agencies seeking this expertise She said approximately 40% of Saint Martin’s accounting graduates work in government, 40% work at CPA firms, and 20% are hired by other private companies

Master Of Accountancy Program Creates Expanded Career Opporunities

School of Business Dean Chung-Shing Lee, DSc, says the MAcc program expands students’ career prospects in other ways The program gives students the opportunity to attend important conferences, meet with corporate and accounting organization directors, associate with partner professional entities like the Nisqually Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and receive valuable input from the business community “We connect our students with business and industry leaders,” Lee said Lidder was one of two Saint Martin’s students selected to attend a prestigious business conference last fall, joining approximately 130 students from around the country “We were the smallest school there,” Lidder said He shared the conference gave him a chance to meet with accounting leaders: “It shows that our students can compete with anyone ”

Professional connections generated at Saint Martin’s are not limited to just U S contacts Lee has traveled with students to the University of Southern Denmark, a global partner university “The visit gave students a chance to visit with foreign companies,” he said “They met with students from Germany, Denmark and Italy, giving them a broader global perspective and connection ”

MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY PROGRAM ACCEPTS APPLICANTS YEAR-ROUND

Students can complete the required 30 credits in the full-time MAcc program in 12 months With in-person classes of five to 10 students, students learn to:

Identify and reasearch accounting principles and theories. Critically analyze and interpret accounting data.

Become proficient in using accounting tools to make business decisions

Present information in professional written and oral communications

Aman Lidder, left, is busy putting his Saint Martin’s University Master of Accountancy graduate degree to great use in working at a local accounting and tax firm, supporting his family’s business, and creating a new nonprofit. Photo credit: Nancy Krier.