Mastering Accounting in School

¶ … Master's In Accounting Program I can still see myself there, atop the stage, moving in slow motion, everyone watching my every step. My gown is bright; a tassel dangles loosely from my cap in the sun. A welcome breeze floats across the platform, seemingly mirroring my mood as I reach the speaker.

Then, in a moment I have yet to forget and which reverberates in me to this day, I take the document with a firm handshake, pausing to bask in the adoration of my friends and family, some of whom have traveled from as far away as India. It was approximately this time last year that I earned my Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in the Spring of 2015. Accepting that diploma represented the culmination of 22 years of hard work and determination.

However, even then, I realized that it meant something more -- much more. It meant that the truly hard work was only just beginning. Since I was a young boy, I have always desired to become a certified public accountant. My best friend's father was one, and I remember him coming home from work, smartly dressed, reflecting on the various parts of his day. I realized early on that to become a CPA I would need to obtain a master's degree in this field.

I have prepared my life accordingly and diligently labored to achieve this endeavor and am now at the stage where I can get closer to my dream by entering this graduate program. Ever since I enrolled at the University of Central Oklahoma in the fall of 2011, I have taken dedicated measures to fulfill my goal.

It was there that I first gained experience with some of the most commonly used accounting software programs, including Quick Books, N Vision, People Soft, and other applications relevant throughout the fields of finance and marketing. More importantly, perhaps, it was during my undergraduate experience that I solidified my belief in my goal, and that it was both a natural and exciting career path for me.

I had the privilege of working with professors -- both in relevant core curriculum classes and, later on, in my major -- who had a genuine passion for those classes that they were able to transmute to me and other students. I am pleased to acknowledge the fact that I made the president's honor roll a total of five semesters at this educational institution, which enabled me to graduate with a 3.7 GPA.

My graduation was also enhanced by the fact that I was the recipient of an Academic Excellence Aware for the highest attainable GPA in Bangladesh nationwide. I was also able to gain invaluable professional experience while enrolled at this university. Initially, I was able to obtain positions in marketing for this school, which helped to give me a bevy of experience in analyzing and managing data -- which relates to some of the financial data and management skills for which accountants are responsible.

These positions allowed me to understand and even practice the close correlation between data and the various software programs that are relevant for doing so, and which transcend vertical industry to impact nearly all professionals with such tasks. For instance, I was able to master excel spreadsheets and many of their upper level functions, which are certainly apropos to accounting.

I largely credit my academic background and my work at the University for helping me achieve my first position in accounting as an intern for the City of Oklahoma's Accounting and Finance Service Department. I was able to handle a range of responsibilities with this position, including several fundamental accounting processes pertaining to budgeting, balance sheets, and collections. Furthermore, I was able to acclimate myself to the accounting environment and network with other accomplished professionals in this domain.

After working with the city for over a year I obtained a full time job as operations assistant manager for a company in Oklahoma City. My background and academic standing enabled me to specialize in some of the financial aspects of operations, such as managing accounts receivable and payable and maintaining payment databases. I sincerely believe that my burgeoning professional.