From classroom to career: How UNC’s Master of Accounting builds skills you’ll use every day

An accounting degree should do more than prepare you for the CPA exam it should prepare you to make an impact at work. At UNC Kenan-Flagler, the Master of Accounting (MAC) program is designed to do exactly that. Each course develops practical accounting career skills you can apply immediately, whether in corporate finance, public accounting, nonprofit management or leadership roles. No matter what industry you work in, your work in the MAC program can turn classroom lessons into real-world results.

Mastering accounting software and technical skills

Whether you’re stepping into your first finance or auditing role, or upgrading your skills in your current positions, technical expertise is an important edge. It’s not just about knowing accounting principles; it’s about confidently putting them into practice, leveraging powerful software tools to stand out and thrive in a fast-paced marketplace.

When Nathan Benn (MAC ’21), now a senior audit associate at PwC, reflects on his time in the UNC Kenan-Flagler MAC program, what stands out isn’t just the accounting fundamentals, it’s the technical edge he gained.

“The UNC MAC program curriculum and tools are really on the cutting edge,” Benn said, “Using software like Tableau is a great skill to have, and it’s not something that many standard accounting programs will teach you to use.”

The emphasis on practical, industry-relevant tools is key. Accounting professionals rely on a suite of software, from spreadsheet modeling to data analytics programs, to turn numbers into insights. The UNC MAC provides foundational fluency and adaptability, preparing graduates to hit the ground running with any platform they encounter.

Our program includes hands-on exposure to industry-standard software such as QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, advanced Microsoft Excel and Tableau. During courses such as Applied Financial Reporting, Advanced Auditing and Data Analytics for Accountants, you’ll experience practical, applied learning through structured exercises, case studies and live simulations that replicate real-world accounting workflows. These experiences will help you internalize best practices, refine technical expertise and build habits that translate directly into the workplace.

Turning data into insight and action

Technical skills to organize, categorize, and clean data are just one piece of an important puzzle. As an accountant, a senior leader in your organization will hand you a massive dataset and ask, “So, what does this actually mean?” The value you’ll bring is to transform the raw numbers into clear insights that guide smart, strategic decisions.

This is one of the top reasons students choose to pursue the MAC degree: they want to be more efficient and master the art of turning data into action.

One of the many courses in the UNC MAC program that focuses on this refinement is Data Visualization for Accountants. You’ll practice transforming raw data into dashboards and presentations that drive decision-making, bridging the gap between analytics and influence.

In today’s accounting landscape, numbers only matter if they tell a story. Kyle Hubbard (MAC ’18), a senior associate at KPMG, found that MAC courses gave him the tools to turn data into action.

“I heard countless times that communication is the skill employers seek most and that it is important in the workplace,” Hubbard said. “I thought it had become cliché, but it has held true every day since. By communicating complex ideas effectively, you can become a trusted adviser for your clients and peers.”

Additional courses include Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling and Data Analytics for Accountants, which teach students how to analyze complex data and present it clearly to decision-makers.

Practicing these skills enable you, like Hubbard to make immediate, data-driven contributions in their roles. Many report rapid improvement and real-time application of these refined skills, turning data into insight and action across organizations.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills for accounting careers

Critical thinking and problem solving will set you apart at any stage of your career. Demonstrating that you can tackle challenges proactively early on in your career will position you for growth as a future thought leader. A specialized degree, like the MAC degree, gives you the time to sharpen these skills, turning them into a lasting career advantage.

At UNC Kenan-Flagler, courses such as Financial Reporting and Auditing and Assurance Services teach you to evaluate financial information, question assumptions and connect the dots that others might miss.

When Luis J. Lopez (MAC ’18) joined Google as a revenue accountant, he quickly realized that success wasn’t just about numbers, it was about critical thinking.

“The critical thinking and research skills that I acquired through the MAC program have been continuously used,” Lopez said. “I often find myself conducting research and thinking critically about how it applies to my daily work.”

These skills elevate accountants from number-crunchers to vital players in corporate financial and operational strategies. When fully developed, this skillset prepares you to advise leaders, investors, and clients with confidence.

Applying strategy in real time

Working as an accountant in today’s business environment, you will be expected to be more than just a technical expert. You must think strategically, applying financial insights to guide decisions in fast-paced, high-stakes situations. Having the ability to step into a role and immediately contribute to strategic conversations is one of the greatest advantages of the MAC degree.

Student Krystal Parsons shared how rapidly she has been able to apply thought leadership and strategy while studying.

“I have applied every aspect of what I’ve learned so far directly to my real-world job,” Parsons said. “It’s been eye-opening to realize not just how much I thought I knew, but how important it is to understand the reasoning behind each concept.”

Courses such as Business Valuation and Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions place you in the role of decision-makers. You’ll forecast company performance, build valuation models, evaluate merger opportunities and assess whether deals create value. These exercises mimic the strategic challenges accountants face in consulting, banking and corporate leadership.

You not only develop an understanding of financial theory but also learn how to apply strategy in real time. This ability to bridge technical expertise with strategic insight equips you to step into leadership roles and deliver immediate value in any organization.

Leadership, communication, and professional skills

Everyone talks about technical skills, the latest software, and turning data into insights. These are important, but what’s the secret to career growth? Soft skills. With strong leadership and communication skills you’ll be ready to grow as a confident, respected business leader.

Soft skills aren’t easy to master, but they’re what set leaders apart. In accounting, professionals are trusted advisers who communicate clearly at every level, make ethical decisions, and inspire confidence.

The UNC Kenan-Flagler MAC program builds these skills through courses such as Professional Communication for Accountants, Negotiations and Ethics and Professionalism. You learn to collaborate, influence and lead with integrity.

David Whitmire (MAC ’20), COO of Bennett Aerospace, credits the program with helping him grow as a leader.

“When I can parachute into a conversation and help a business solve a problem related to accounting, that really helps my personal brand,” Whitmire said. “The program has given me a full suite of tools to draw from.”

Through simulations and role-playing, students in Negotiations practice reaching agreements that create lasting value. An essential skill for long-term success in accounting and finance.

Accounting skills that impact any sector

Accounting expertise is universal. You might start your career thinking, “I want to be an accountant, I’ll live and breathe numbers and financial analysis.” But the skills you gain don’t stop at accounting; they can open doors across finance, consulting, technology and virtually any sector that values strategic thinking and problem solving.

For example, Allison Elia (MAC ’18) entered the UNC MAC program working as an operations director for a nonprofit. Her motivation was to learn the language of financial responsibility and to efficiently scale programs. She wanted the mindset of an accountant: to read financial statements and make strategic decisions that strengthened her organization.

“What I realized was the accounting program has more of those hard skills, more of the fundamentals and less of an overview than the MBA gives you,” Elia said. “For me, that was a better fit. I wanted to be able to learn something and then go back to my workplace and apply it right away.”

That’s why the MAC program helps develop skills you might not expect from an accounting degree. Electives such as Governmental Accounting and Essentials of Business Law show how financial principles guide nonprofit, public sector, and mission-driven organizations. Students learn compliance, fund accounting, and reporting practices that enable them to make an impact across diverse organizations.

Are these skills enough to set you apart?

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Master of Accounting program gives you more than just textbook knowledge. You’ll develop critical thinking, data fluency, strategic insight, and leadership skills through courses that reflect real workplace challenges.

Whether your goal is corporate finance, consulting, public accounting or nonprofit management, the UNC MAC prepares you to thrive and make a measurable difference. It can be the difference between just doing a job and building a strong, successful career.