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MS Accounting Program Project

BP ConsultingValiant, Karen, Daphne, Jasyca, Lisa

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Client OverviewMary Guan, CPA, Director of the MS Accounting Program

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Project Overview

Problem: Lack of central repository for MS Acct Program information and information that current/former students find interesting

Actions: Define categories, gather content

Results: Newsletter, additional content

Learnings: Individual takeaways discussed at the end of presentation

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Scope - Primary Research• Informational interviews

• Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Rockecharlie• Community Involvement: Wanda Beverly

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Scope - Primary Research (cont.)

Informational Interview Template

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Scope - Primary Research (cont.)

• Alumni Spotlight—Articles and Stories of Alumni• Kevin Rockecharlie

• MBA & MSA alumnus of UTD• Founder of BMK• Skillset for career success:

• Communication• Teamwork• Desire

Kevin M. Rockecharlie, CISADirector of IT Audit Services

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Scope - Secondary Research

• Websites for CPA/CMA updates• Student organizations (ALA, Ascend, etc.) for

upcoming events and event photos• Professor interviews from one of the project teams in

the day class (ACCT 6388)• Faculty and staff (Ms. Ensminger, Professor Guan,

etc.) for student projects feedback and alumni information

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Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)

•Initiative formally began in Fall 2015•Focuses on projects with startups, nonprofit organizations and small to mid-sized companies•Hands out flyers in accelerators and sends the business a Project Connection form •Completed forms are forwarded to Professor Goodrich for approval

ProConnect ProgramBuild the Future – One Project at a Time

Lucretia EnsmingerBusiness Relationship Manager

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Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)

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Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)

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Hot NewsHot topics and news on campus and in the professional field

Upcoming EventsAccounting related events both on- and off-campus

Faculty SpotlightArticles and interview videos of MSA professors

Alumni SpotlightArticles and stories of alumni

Employment SpotlightEmployers that are hiring/have hired alumni

Community InvolvementIntroduction and reflection of VITA program and other community involvement activities

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Results (cont.)

• VITA goals:• Provide information about tax law • Give general tax advice and guidelines• Help to avoid tax penalties

Wanda BeverlyTax Compliance Officer, UTD27 years of tax and payroll experience

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Takeaways

Jasyca: Communication skills are very important!Lisa: Be persistent: even embarrassing experiences can be learning experiencesDaphne: It is very important to tailor emails to the specific situation.Karen: Grammar is very important and practice makes perfect!Valiant: Ensure project scope is defined and limit creep

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Thank you!