Âé¶¹AV

MPAcc-staging

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Career Advancement

Professional Career Support for the Âé¶¹AV MPAcc Program

Uniquely available to Âé¶¹AV Nazarian accounting students, the EY Center for Careers offers MPAcc students a vast array of resources to support and enhance their career trajectory in the field of accounting.

Our EY Center for Careers is dedicated to helping students learn and navigate the career exploration and planning process in the accounting field, preparing them not only for their first job after graduation, but for a lifetime of career growth and success in the public accounting, private industry, government, and not-for-profit sectors.

The EY Center's programs and services will aid in the search for accounting internships, part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities. By taking advantage of the six-phase career advancement resources we offer, students will be well-prepared to navigate the job-search process.

Graduates of California State University, Northridge’s Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) program are well-positioned to enter a high-demand job market with strong earning potential. According to national salary data, professionals entering the accounting field with a master’s degree typically earn higher starting salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

Entry-level positions such as audit associate, tax associate, or staff accountant often offer starting salaries ranging from $60,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on location, firm size, and specialization. With just a few years of experience and CPA licensure, Âé¶¹AV MPAcc graduates can expect salaries to increase significantly, with many mid-level professionals earning $80,000 to $100,000+, and senior-level roles or positions at major firms reaching well above $120,000 annually.

The MPAcc degree not only enhances earning potential but also prepares students to meet the 150-hour educational requirement for CPA licensure—an essential step for long-term advancement and higher compensation in the accounting profession.

Phase One: Dedicated Recruiting Boot Camp for MPAcc Students

The EY Center for Careers facilitates a one-day Recruiting Boot Camp for MPAcc students that will take place at the beginning of the program. This dedicated program is designed for MPAcc students to learn about the accounting profession and the recruiting process from professionals. Representatives from public accounting, corporate and government present on a variety of topics to help students prepare for the fall recruiting season, and allow them the opportunity to network with them directly during the program.

Phase Two: Individual Guidance on Career Opportunities

Students meet with the Director of the EY Center one-on-one to help them identify their goals and interests to ultimately select and pursue a career path in audit, tax, advisory, general accounting, or other, and research the type of firm/company (public accounting, consulting, private industry, government, non-profit) they would like to target. The Director is available to work with students along every step of their career trajectory from initial self-assessment through the job search process and beyond. She helps students prepare a professional and targeted resume and cover letter, create and execute a strategy for networking and job search, prepare effectively for interviews, handle offer negotiations, and plan for success in an internship and full-time position.

Phase Three: On-Campus Recruiting & Workshops

The EY Center coordinates the on-campus recruiting process with more than 25 public accounting firms (including Big 4, mid-tier and large local), corporations and government entities. The EY Center works closely with our business partners to provide interview space and ensure a smooth interview process for firms and students. The on-campus recruiting process is preceded by a series of workshops for Resumes, Cover Letters and Effective Interviewing that will help students get ready. The EY Center also facilitates specialized workshops in LinkedIn, Networking, Career Planning and other career and job search related topics.

Phase Four: Peer Career Support

You can supplement your career exploration, networking and job search by joining and participating in one or more of our student organizations: Accounting Association, Beta Alpha Psi, and Association of Latino Professionals for America. These student organizations provide a variety of professional learning and social programs including weekly technical meetings, resume and mock interview workshops, networking activities, social activities, firm tours, and alumni and student panels that will help MPAcc students to advance their long-term career discovery in a supportive, stimulating, and fun environment with other Masters and Bachelors level students. Utilizing our vast network of alumni, the student organizations engage many Âé¶¹AV alumni to participate in these meetings and events as a way of staying connected to Âé¶¹AV that provide learning and mentorship to current students. Participation increases knowledge of the accounting profession, and provides excellent exposure to various firms and numerous opportunities to develop professional relationships with firm representatives, many of whom are Âé¶¹AV alumni. In addition to the services provided by the EY Center, student organization leaders and alumni provide mentorship to other students for resume preparation, mock interviews, job search, networking and CPA exam prep strategies.

Phase Five: Networking Events

Once matriculated, you will have access to Âé¶¹AVlink which connects you to our university's Career Hub where you can access a wealth of information as well as job postings from firms specifically looking for MPAcc graduates. Students can apply directly for job opportunities and schedule interviews conveniently using the online platform. Furthermore, students have unlimited access to Lynda.com at Âé¶¹AV, which is an online learning platform that helps anyone learn and access engaging, top quality courses taught by recognized industry experts in the areas of business, software, and technology.

Throughout the year, the EY Center for Careers in conjunction with the Accounting Department and the student organizations plan and coordinate major networking events geared for joining a Big Four, national, regional, or small CPA firm, as well as government, private industry, or not-for-profit organization. The events offered each year include:

  • Meet the Firms: Twice per year (September and February) coinciding with the fall and spring recruiting seasons, Âé¶¹AV offers one of the largest Meet the Firms events in Southern California, where more than 65 firms and organizations from across the region gather at an upscale venue to meet and network with our students. 400 - 600 accounting and IS students attend Meet the Firms to forge connections with the firms.
  • Annual Awards Banquet: Each spring, students in the MPAcc Program are invited to the Accounting Department Awards Banquet where firms provide financial recognition for our students with more than $150,000 in scholarship awards. This elegant event provides another unique opportunity for firms and students to mingle and connect.
  • The EY Center provides firm "Office Hours" during the month preceding online applications and on-campus interviewing - more than a dozen firms participate by bringing recruiters and other firm professionals to meet with students one-on-one in an informal basis to discuss their firms and learn about the students.
  • The Accounting Alumni Chapter, in partnership with the student organizations, hosts periodic alumni networking events to provide additional opportunities for student leaders and alumni to network.