When Seth Prather started college in 2020, he thought he小蝌蚪APP檇 be writing code, not crunching numbers.
But after a little bit of time as a computer science major, he realized it just wasn小蝌蚪APP檛 the right fit.
小蝌蚪APP淪ome people ask me, 小蝌蚪APP榃hy did you jump from computer science?小蝌蚪APP Because I learned I wasn小蝌蚪APP檛 good at it,小蝌蚪APP he laughs.
What did make sense? Accounting.
The structured, analytical nature of the field felt like a better match, so he made the switch and earned his bachelor小蝌蚪APP檚 degree in accounting from the 小蝌蚪APP in December 2023.
Prather turned his internship with global CPA firm EisnerAmper into a full-time job and set his sights on the CPA exam.
In Louisiana, candidates need 120 college credit hours to sit for the exam 小蝌蚪APP but 150 to become licensed. That extra 30 hours made a graduate degree the logical next step.
小蝌蚪APP淓arning my master小蝌蚪APP檚 in accounting was just a pathway to bigger and better things,小蝌蚪APP he says.
UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 online M.S. in Accounting program offered the perfect opportunity to meet that requirement while equipping Prather with the advanced skills necessary to take his career to the next level.
Balancing Taxes and Schoolwork
The flexibility of UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 M.S. in Accounting online program was a game-changer for Prather as his responsibilities in tax accounting for EisnerAmper grew.
When work was demanding, he could scale back on his assignments. When he had time to spare, he pushed ahead.
小蝌蚪APP淭hat flexibility helped a lot, especially during my final term when I went full-time at EisnerAmper,小蝌蚪APP he says.
The program wasn小蝌蚪APP檛 just a way to fit schoolwork into his packed schedule. It opened doors to unexpected connections with his peers.
小蝌蚪APP淓ven though it was an online environment, group projects helped us get to know each other's personalities, and we developed a camaraderie,小蝌蚪APP he says.
Though he prefers in-person interactions, Prather found that the online format prepared him well for the increasingly virtual nature of today小蝌蚪APP檚 professional world.
小蝌蚪APP淚n my job at an international firm, most of my work is in the office, but there are times you need to hop on a virtual call. The online program set me up well for that kind of collaboration.小蝌蚪APP
Tackling the CPA Exam and Embracing New Opportunities
With his master小蝌蚪APP檚 in accounting now completed, Prather plans to take on the four-part CPA exam after tax season, giving himself time to prepare and build on the foundation he developed through UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 program.
But the exam is just one chapter. Prather is eager to watch his career unfold, and, after years of hard work, take a well-deserved break.
小蝌蚪APP淎fter the CPA, I小蝌蚪APP檇 like to do some traveling. After being hunkered down for those few years in college, it小蝌蚪APP檒l be nice to take a little rest,小蝌蚪APP he says.
As he looks ahead, Prather has advice for those working through the program: "Remember that it's not forever; a break will come, things will get better, and it's going to be worth it at the end. Accounting is a very secure job.小蝌蚪APP
Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 master小蝌蚪APP檚 in accounting online program.
