“I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to share this journey with.”

I am currently completing a Master of Management and Professional Accounting (MMPA) graduate degree. It is a two-year program that integrates management courses taken in an MBA setting with specific accounting courses, which allows you to fast-track through the CPA Ontario’s courses and modules. The MMPA program is invaluable for students who do not have a business or accounting background and who wish to pursue a career in accounting. 

I chose to do my graduate degree at the University of Toronto because of the co-operative work term component of the MMPA program, a feature that is not offered by most other graduate MMPA programs in Canada. I just completed my first co-op work term this past winter at Ernst and Young LLP in downtown Toronto in the assurance practice. I believe that work experience is an invaluable part of the learning experience, as it offered me the opportunity to experience what corporate life is all about.

One of the best parts about attending U of T has been meeting all the incredible people, not only in my year, but also in the classes ahead of me as well; it is gratifying being able to proceed through the program knowing that there are fellow students around for support. I have made new friends during my time at U of T so far, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to share this journey with.

My advice to someone considering the MMPA program would be to get involved in as many events and activities offered by the University program as you possibly can. Attending such events allows you to interact with many and diverse people in the academic and corporate world and allows you to become comfortable with the networking process. 

But most importantly, I would say don’t forget to breathe and have some fun during your time at
U of T — it’s not just the level of education that makes the experience memorable.