At Cal State Fullerton’s M.S. in Accountancy program, our faculty bring with them extensive knowledge of the latest industry trends and technology tools. Among our faculty are Megan Grady, director of this specialized master’s program and assistant professor of accounting at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics.

Grady earned her doctorate in accounting at Texas A&M University in 2020 and worked for several accounting firms.  Grady accepted the professorship at CSUF later that year. Her research focused on the impact of political connections and corruption on monitors, both internal and external, and the ultimate implications this has for financial reporting policies and practices.

As a professor at CSUF, she says the student body in the M.S. in Accountancy program is one of the aspects of teaching that Grady enjoys best. “We have an amazing group. They are diverse and driven, with a large portion being first-generation. It is a joy to work with our students, as they are curious, active and motivated,” she says. “The other reason I love teaching at CSUF are my wonderful colleagues in the School of Accountancy. The faculty are equally amazing, with a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. It is a wonderful, supportive community and I am grateful to be part of it.”

While there are many options for pursuing a Master’s of Science in Accountancy degree, Grady notes that the blend of theory and practice, saturating students with the knowledge of accounting while providing avenues for extracurricular and applied real-world experience, set the Cal State Fullerton program apart.

“We offer two types of M.S. in Accountancy programs at CSUF: our traditional program and our cohort program. They are both designed to be flexible so students can learn and earn while obtaining their M.S. in Accountancy. Our traditional program is designed with both full-time and part-time students in mind. For people who already have a full-time job, the traditional M.S. in Accountancy program can be a great pathway as they can take night classes and/or hybrid courses to fit their needs, expertise, and schedule,” she says. “Our cohort program is designed for full-time students. The cohort program is built around a 10-month schedule, where students can take on a winter internship position during their second semester, not only using it to develop connections within the industry but allowing their work to contribute to their course units and to help offset program costs. Both programs ensure graduates walk out prepped for and eligible to take the CPA exam. Our aim is to give our students the necessary tools and opportunities to grow their careers and to achieve their own goals.”

In accounting, there is a busy season each winter and spring, focused on tax preparation and bookkeeping for the previous year. Grady points out that the CSUF M.S. in Accountancy maximizes the opportunities of this seasonality into its program. “Within our cohort program, we build in time for students to be able to work during the classic busy-season period while earning course credits,” she explains. “This allows firms to evaluate potential new hires during a spring internship and satisfies the talent gap firms face during the busy season. Not to mention, it can be an avenue for training potential new hires to allow for a smooth onboarding process. Supporting both our M.S. in Accountancy programs gives firms access to a pipeline of new talent – talent that is well-prepared, CPA eligible, and ready for the workplace.”

For more on Cal State Fullerton’s M.S. in Accountancy program and our other Business Graduate Programs, visit our Graduate Programs webpage. Or read more of our articles on grad school at the College of Business and Economics.