Alan White

WHY WEBER STATE

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from BYU Idaho, and was looking for a Masters program quickly after that. I had applied to a few different programs, and even came to look at Weber’s great campus. In the end, Weber State was the fastest and easiest to work with! Additionally, Weber does a great job of keeping tuition affordable for students.

WHAT MADE YOUR CHOOSE ACCOUNTING

As an undergraduate student, I was originally pursuing a different major, but during Covid-19 my plans changed. I was no longer able to complete my course requirements in the time I wanted. I reevaluated my priorities and began looking towards accounting. I didn’t want to interrupt my education just because in-person meetings were halted. I realized that accounting is a field where you can continue working from home, even during shutdowns.I ended up sticking with accounting because I had taken a few classes and discovered that we were a match. I quickly developed an interest in understanding what makes a business thrive, and over time, I've learned that mastering money management is essential for success both in and out of business.

WHY SPECIFICALLY THE MASTERS OF ACCOUNTING

My undergraduate program gave me a good groundwork for Accounting, and provided me with the essentials. I wanted to pursue a Master's Degree so I could learn more about the world of accounting, and more about unique accounting situations. I also plan to take the CPA exam soon and noticed that 91·çÁ÷ offers classes specifically designed to help with CPA exam preparation.

PROFESSOR IMPACT

I respect professor Pace, although I’m not in the MTax program. His dedication to helping students understand taxation is important. He makes sure that you understand things in a sequence. He starts at your level of understanding and builds up from that. I chose to take more of his classes because I thought they were well organized. He writes his own textbook, goes in-depth, and has a mindset in-line with academic tradition.

ADVICE FOR OTHER STUDENTS

Give it the time it deserves, and don’t try to skim out or take shortcuts. At the Master’s level you’re a professional already, and you know more than you think. At this stage, education is no longer just about completing assignments, but about collaborating with other professionals in your field to deepen your understanding. The Masters program is for YOU, so you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t go in-depth with the materials. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions of your professors.

They are always there to answer your questions and help you – especially if you don’t understand a subject or want to broaden your horizons. They study these topics all the time and they really are experts. They know more than just what they teach in class. They are a great resource, if you take advantage of them. It’s a mindset.

WHAT'S NEXT

Currently I’m working with a firm in Layton, and am growing a lot. I’m working primarily in audit and a little bit in tax. I'll likely pursue my CPA within the next year or so, studying for the exam and taking its various sections. It will be a lot of work, but the program has helped prepare me for the challenge. I think the MAcc program has helped set me up for my personal life goals as well. I’m married, and we’re planning on having a family in the future – having a MAcc degree is something that helps ensure financial security for our future.