Interested in learning more about MPA?

Attend an upcoming information session. We regularly host information sessions where you can learn about the program and the admissions process and ask any questions you have about the MPA.

All McCombs MPA students receive one-on-one support from a dedicated career management team. Throughout the program, the career management team helps students define their career goals, connects them to networking and recruiting opportunities, and assists with resume creation and review, mock interviewing, and professional development. Thanks to the MPA’s strong career focus, almost all our students (97%) receive at least one job offer before graduation.

What MPA graduates do

McCombs MPA graduates pursue roles across public accounting, advisory services, corporate financial management, and the non-profit sector, with many building the expertise needed to advance into financial leadership paths. Common job titles for MPA graduates include audit associate, tax associate, advisory consultant, financial reporting analyst, corporate accountant and forensic accountant. Many alumni also progress into strategic financial roles such as finance director, controller, chief financial officer, and other C-suite positions in entities where deep accounting and analytical skills are critical.

Who hires MPA graduates

Over 400 companies recruit directly from the McCombs MPA program. Graduates report employment with Big Four firms and leading companies across all economic sectors, reinforcing the strength of McCombs’ corporate network. Class of 2025 graduates secured roles at public accounting firms, energy and tech companies, investment and commercial banks.

What MPA graduates earn

The median starting salary for the MPA Class of 2025 was $80,000, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $115,000 depending on employer and industry. Median salaries by industry were:

• Accounting services: $80,000
• Corporate accounting: $78,000–$82,000
• Financial services: $105,000
• Consulting: $85,000

View the full MPA Class of 2025 employment reportfor more details about job offers, compensation, and recruiting companies, including a detailed breakdown by program.

✪ Compare degree options

Deciding between educational pathways? See how a master’s in accounting compares to an undergraduate accounting education or a more general business graduate degree.

Is a master’s in accounting worth it?

Yes, the MPA provides students with both short-term and long-term career benefits.

• Additional time to explore career interests and build your network
• Accelerated career progression
• Higher starting and future salaries
• Deeper accounting knowledge
• Enhanced technical skills, interpersonal skills, and leadership training
• Career choice flexibility
• Time to prepare for and complete the CPA exam before full-time employment
• Preparation for other professional designations (CIA, CFE, CMA)

What specialized skills and curriculum paths does the MPA provide?

The MPA develops advanced accounting and financial expertise. Students can focus their studies through nine curriculum paths,including Audit, Tax, Forensic Accounting, Investment Banking, Corporate Accounting, Advisory, Government/Not-for-Profit, Wealth Management, and Tax Consulting. Across these tracks, graduates gain expertise in financial reporting, auditing, analytics, regulatory frameworks, and strategic financial management—skills that set them apart in competitive accounting.

Will accounting be replaced by AI?

Generative AI will change accounting, but it won’t replace accounting as a profession. In fact, demand for accounting professionals is increasing: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will grow 5% between now and 2034, adding about 72,800 new jobs. Their job outlook projects that generative AI will increase accountants’ efficiency by automating routine tasks making “advisory and analytical duties more prominent.”  

McCombs’ Master in Professional Accounting prepares students for an AI-driven accounting world in two ways. First, our faculty design the MPA curriculum to match industry demands for technical literacy, integrating AI and analytics tools like AP, Tableau, Microsoft Access, and Power BI directly into students’ coursework. Second, our program prepares students to step into advisory roles — developing and sharing high-level insights about operations, financial management, and overall business strategy. These leadership skills are becoming increasingly valuable for accounting professionals in an AI-driven world.

→ Key takeaways

• Invest once, benefit for a lifetime: Deeper accounting knowledge and accelerated career growth.
• Set yourself apart: Many employers value MPA graduates over candidates with only a BBA.
• Flexible paths: Preparation for CPA exam and other professional designations and roles in accounting, finance, corporate, advisory, and senior leadership.
• Location & network advantage: Austin is a top-ranked city to live in and provides unmatched access to world class employers.