More Students Taking MBA Courses

MS Accountancy students can now broaden their coursework by selecting from more than 40 electives offered by the MBA program. “By giving our students access to excellent faculty in finance, communications and IT, we are expanding our curriculum and adding valuable opportunities,” said Linda Espahbodi, director of the MSA program. Because of program requirements, the MBA courses are taken most frequently by students in the financial reporting track. In recent years, about two-thirds of MSA students select the financial reporting option, while one-third select the tax services track.

99% Placement of Graduates

MSA students were in high demand this year, with 99 percent accepting job offers by graduation. The average starting salary for MSA students rose to $54,200 with an average signing bonus of $4,000. “More students are trending toward financial services and consulting than they have historically,” said H. Fred Mittelstaedt, department chair of accountancy.

Doubling up for Distance Learning

Professors Margot Cleveland (JD ’92) and James O’Brien
(JD ’93, ’88), who are siblings, accountants and award-winning teachers, took an interactive approach to teaching advanced business law via distance learning to students in the Ernst & Young Master of Science in Accountancy program. While Cleveland lectured by conference call, O’Brien answered questions the students posed by instant messenger. Students also viewed powerpoint slides, legal documents, and responded to questions via a course Web site. In this way, students in E&Y office locations nationwide benefited from the insights of both professors during this fast-paced presentation.

Launched in 1999 for Ernst & Young professionals, this 15-month master’s program combines intensive summer coursework with online offerings.

MSA Students Study in China

For the first time last year, eight graduate accountancy students participated in a 10-day China immersion experience. In addition to receiving business briefings and participating in plant tours, the students took part in cultural enrichment opportunities such as a calligraphy class in a Shanghai temple.

Chicago Career Day Matches Students and Opportunities

Representatives from Big Four accounting firms, consulting firms FTI and Huron Consulting Group, and Citadel Solutions met with students during a career day at the Santa Fe Building in Chicago in August 2007. At the event, students learned about different career paths in anticipation of entering the peak interviewing season in the fall. To further connect students with career opportunities, the MSA program posted students’ resumes online for wider exposure to interested recruiters nationwide.

Teamwork

Soon after arriving on campus in August 2006, MSA classmates formed a successful intramural flag football team. They were runner-up champions in the graduate league, losing narrowly to a law school team in the championship game played in Notre Dame stadium.

New Course Explores Academic Research

Professors David Ricchiute and James Seida examined wide-ranging topics covered in

contemporary accountancy research in a new MSA course. In addition to training students to be informed consumers of research during their professional careers, Ricchiute also encouraged students to consider an academic career, especially now when business schools face a scarcity of aspiring faculty with doctoral degrees available to fill vacant positions.