Thanks to Cal State Fullerton’s M.S. in Accountancy, Parsa Safdari ’22 is a Leading Accountant in the Hydrogen Fuel Sector | College of Business and Economics at CSUF (thanks-to-cal-state-fullertons-m-s-in-accountancy-parsa-safdari-22-is-a-leading-accountant-in-the-hydrogen-fuel-sector)

Parsa Safdari ’22, a graduate of Cal State Fullerton’s M.S. in Accountancy, credits his career trajectory from Marcus & Millichap, EY and now FirstElement Fuel Inc. to this specialized master’s program.

“My M.S. in Accountancy from Cal State Fullerton was instrumental in achieving milestones. It gave me a competitive edge over those without a graduate degree and connected me with a strong alumni network in Orange County and beyond,” says Safdari ’22.

Safdari is currently a corporate accountant at FirstElement Fuel Inc. a leader in hydrogen fuel infrastructure. He focuses on improving accounting processes and supporting financial reporting. “This role has allowed me to refine my technical expertise while contributing to an innovative sector that is shaping the future of transportation energy,” he says.

This new role is just the latest career-growing experience Safdari has had since graduation three years ago. From working on audits in both private and public companies in the pharmaceutical and real estate industries for Big Four accounting firm EY to auditing government agencies and nonprofits for Davis Farr LLP, Safdari has been at the cutting-edge of the multi-industry accounting field.

Accounting is undergoing a revolution, with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The School of Accountancy at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics is poised to be the West Coast leader in preparing young professionals for this new reality, thanks to industry partnerships with Alteryx and UiPath and expert teaching and research faculty.

Safdari says there are many reasons to consider accounting as a career path. “First, take job security, there is a growing demand for qualified accountants, making it one of the most stable career paths. Second, career versatility, as accounting offers a wide range of opportunities. You can specialize in auditing, tax, corporate finance, consulting, or even pivot into other roles in entrepreneurship and technology. And finally, increasing value, as fewer accountants enter the workforce, professionals with the correct skills and certifications, such as CPAs, are becoming more valuable.”

Speaking to Cal State Fullerton specifically, Safdari points to an exceptional alumni network, financial value and career focus as reasons to consider the college’s Master of Science in Accountancy graduate program. “The program provides the same opportunities as private schools, but at a fraction of the cost, making it one of the best values in graduate education,” he says.

Succeeding in Accounting Graduate Programs

How can you grow your career through the M.S. in Accountancy at CSUF? Safdari advises the following for young professionals to get ahead in the industry:

Earn Your CPA Early: Passing your CPA exams before starting your career, especially in public accounting, will give you a head start.
Master Communication Skills: Effective communication is just as important as technical knowledge in accounting roles.
Excel Is Your Best Friend: Invest time in mastering Excel—it’s an indispensable tool for accountants.
Leverage AI: Develop skills in AI and data analytics to differentiate yourself from other candidates and stay ahead in the evolving industry.
Maximize Networking Opportunities: I prioritized meeting as many people as possible, which directly led to an internship and later a full-time audit position at EY.
Tap Into the Insights of Industry-Experienced Faculty: Many professors had real-world experience, bridging the gap between academic concepts and practical applications.
Immerse Yourself in the Supportive Community: The friendships and connections I built with classmates enriched my experience and made the journey more enjoyable.

“Cal State Fullerton’s focus on career readiness, combined with its collaborative environment, provided the perfect foundation for my success in accounting,” says Safdari. The CSUF M.S. in Accountancy may very well do the same for you.

For more on the M.S. in Accountancy, visit the program’s website. Or read more of our articles on accounting education and research.