The Fox School’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program is set to graduate the largest cohort in its seven-year existence this fall—an impressive group of 48 students. The program has grown significantly since its launch in 2011 with a cohort of 22 students, and has maintained a track record of successful career outcomes, with the majority of this year’s cohort accepting offers at 15 national, regional, and Big Four firms.

Over the course of three semesters, students in the Fox MAcc program become both CPA- and career-ready with a curriculum that include time to prepare for and sit for all four parts of the CPA Exam, as well as top-tier job placement resources and opportunities with major firms. In addition to earning the 30 credit hours that count toward CPA licensure requirements, students receive invaluable networking and professional opportunities that includes guest speakers from industry and a trip to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Washington, D.C.

“The Fox MAcc program is committed to equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to be competitive in the job market,” says Sheri Risler, CPA, director of the Fox MAcc program and professor of accounting practice. “Our program provides strong academics and experiential learning, making students strong candidates for employment with leading firms in the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond. We are proud of our largest graduating cohort yet and look forward to watching them make their mark on the business world.”

EY Scholars recipient, Fox MAcc student Monique Mohammed

To support this next generation of accounting professionals, the Fox MAcc program awarded $213,000 in need- and merit-based scholarships to the 2017–2018 cohort. The financial support comes from generous donations from firms and benefactors, as well as funds generated from the Accounting Achievement Awards. Thanks to continued generosity from supporters, the next MAcc cohort will benefit from the largest amount of financial aid yet; 38 students will receive $336,000 in scholarship support. Since its launch, the Fox MAcc program has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships to 178 students.

This year’s graduating class is also noteworthy in that two of the members—Sue Ellen Douglas and Shanice Scott-Thurston—became the first Fox MAcc students to earn acceptance into the EY Scholars Program. Sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP’s Assurance and Tax practices, the program provides a select group of academically talented, underrepresented minorities with up to 100% tuition assistance associated with a Master of Accounting program. To qualify, students must accept a 2018 Assurance or Tax internship with EY and must receive a full-time offer after completing their internship. Douglas and Scott-Thurston join the firm’s Assurance practice this fall.

Two members of the fall 2018 MAcc cohort have also earned acceptance into this prestigious program—Alba Donastrong and Monique Mohammed. “It is truly an amazing feeling to know that EY selected me as an EY Scholar candidate for the 2018-2019 academic year. Receiving the news before my internship with the firm has boosted my self-confidence and commitment to my future goals,” says Monique. “This scholarship opportunity will allow me the time necessary to dig deeper and ask more exploratory questions as I learn and grow in the Fox MAcc program. My five-year plan includes becoming a CPA and working as an auditor for a public accounting firm, so the Fox MAcc program is, by far, the most logical step toward that goal. EY understands that knowledge is a powerful tool and the firm is willing to invest in those who are ready for the challenge.”

Congratulations to the MAcc Class of 2017–2018 and good luck in your future careers!

Fahim Abdullah – Kreischer Miller – Audit
Christina Allegra – EY – Tax
Ashton Andrews – PwC (Boston) – Audit
Neil Arthur – PwC – Tax
Adam Augugliaro – Baker Tilly – Audit
Tyler Benton – EY – Audit
Nicholas Bolton – RSM – Audit
Zachary Brenner – PwC – Audit
Valerie Brooks – Grant Thornton – Tax
Christopher Brown – Deloitte – Tax
Melissa Cameron – Deloitte – Audit
Gerald Degnan – Mazars – Audit
Colleen Diehl – PwC – Audit
Sue-Ellen Douglas – EY – Audit
Kelly Ebner – RSM – Audit
Forrell Grant – Baker Tilly – Audit
Benjamin Herring – SD Associates – Tax
Francesca Hommel – KPMG – State and Local Tax
Galina Ivaniv – Kreischer Miller – Audit
Jeane Kim – Kreischer Miller – Tax
Brian Lunney – Deloitte – Audit
Angela (Yinzhile) Luo – EY – Advisory
Amer Mahmud – PwC – Tax
Labrea Maldonado – EY – Audit
Dylan McCreavy – Kreischer Miller – Tax
Courtney Miller – BDO – Tax
Ryan Moore – Grant Thornton – Audit
Kuntal Patel – Grant Thornton (New York) – Audit
Vick Patel – Mazars – Tax
Theresa Patti – Deloitte – Audit
Jennifer Phim – Grant Thornton – Tax
Matthew Redican – RSM – Audit
Nicole Rivera – EY – Audit
Joseph Rucker – PwC – Tax
Alyssa Schaard – PwC – Audit
Shanice Scott-Thurston – EY – Audit
Brandon Shillady – RKL – Tax
Matthew Sternberg – EisnerAmper – Audit
James Tomak – Protiviti – Audit
Lauren Turzanski – KPMG – Tax
Jordan Weber – RSM – Audit
Kathryn Wiggins – PwC – Tax
Jonathan (Yonathan) Yirko – EY – Audit