Student Experience - PPA - Naveen Jindal School of Management

student experience, professional program in accounting students at a bowling alley — A group of PPA students having a night out

PPA students are the brightest and best accounting students, but the PPA experience goes beyond coursework. You will have many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally, while creating lasting friendships that will continue past graduation.

Student Testimonials

Lalitha Sankaramanchi, PPA 15

KPMG Audit

PPA has had the biggest impact on my college career- giving me opportunities to recruit with amazing firms, allowing me to find a support system among my peers and mentors in the program, and pushing me to grow as a student and young professional. I don’t know where I’d be without PPA and the people in it who have shaped me into who I am today!

Ted Atkins, PPA 15

Grant Thornton Audit

The PPA program really helped me integrate well into the corporate world of networking as well as remainder of my college years. PPA gave me a group of peers to rely on as we went through the recruiting experience and harder classes together. I feel that I’ve created life-long friendships and am glad to see my own personal and professional growth as well.

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Recruiting Process

PPA is the best resource to help students connect with public accounting firms. As a PPA student, you will have opportunities to participate in professional development sessions, firm presentations, interviews, social mixers, and office visits.

Learn more about companies who recruit PPA students

Recruitment Testimonials

Bailey Stone

Future Intern, EY

This past year, PPA has helped me grow both professionally and personally like I never have before. I had an amazing recruiting experience, even in the middle of a pandemic. As students outside of the program lost internships and had to start their job search from scratch, I was still able to choose from multiple internship offers. Read Bailey’s full testimonial.

Diego Figueroa, PPA 13

Future Intern, PwC

Although recruitment underwent a massive change, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. All the firms transitioned well to virtual recruitment, providing various opportunities and connections that one would’ve made otherwise in person. Whether it be panels, games, or coffee chats, each firm had unique ideas to make sure the recruitment process was not only informative, but also interactive and easy going. Read Diego’s full testimonial.

Jared Parkinson, PPA 13

Future Intern, KPMG

The PPA recruitment process at UTD is one of a kind. From day one, I was exposed to public accounting professionals who offered excellent advice and expertise on careers in accounting. It also provided a platform for me to network with a variety of accounting firms to find which firm best fits with my career goals and personal life. Read Jared’s full testimonial.

Monica Medina, PPA 13

Future Intern, PwC

Being a part of PPA has changed the course of my experience at UTD in the greatest way possible! Recruitment was an incredible opportunity to have access to multiple personal interactions with firm recruiters & professionals. During these occasions it allowed me to be able to build those strong connections and get a better look into each firm to help make a better-informed decision about my future. Read Monica’s full testimonial.

Aubrey Roberts, PPA 13

Future Intern, RSM

Joining PPA has been one of the best experiences in my college career. Along with learning new skills and meeting wonderful like-minded individuals, I have been able to build upon my existing skill set and develop the confidence to feel comfortable in any professional setting. Read Aubrey’s full testimonial.

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Ernie Lowery

Director, PWC

I always enjoy coming back to UT Dallas to recruit and interact with the students in the Professional Program in Accounting. I’ve benefited by having PPA alumni on my engagement teams and I, myself, am one as well!

Sara Meek

RSM Talent Acquisition Campus Manager

At RSM we are continually impressed with the students at the University of Texas at Dallas and appreciate our relationship with the PPA program, as well as many other student organizations and programs across the university. UTD continues to be a top producing school at RSM across all lines of business! The genuine care and effort Tiffany and Blair dedicate to ensuring students are prepared for not only the recruitment process, but also prepared for the next chapter of their professional careers, is unmatched. We always enjoy giving UTD alumni the opportunity to return to campus to spend time with students and recruit their future colleagues!

See all PPA Firm Sponsor Testimonials

Two Professional Program in Accounting students hanging out by the huge photo cord board

The PPA Lounge serves as a communal space for our members to focus on their studies and develop relationships with their PPA peers.

PPA Events

As a member of PPA, you will participate in various networking and social events. We strive to build a strong community within PPA and establish a lifelong network.

Professional Program in Accounting students at the PPA kickball tournament

This will be the PPA’s fourth annual kickball tournament. Students will split into teams and spend the afternoon in some fun, friendly competition! RSM will host the tournament and bring professionals to interact with the students.

Two Professional Program in Accounting students hang out at the PPA Fall Social Event.

We host a social in the fall for all PPA classes. This is a great time for classes to interact and celebrate the fall semester.

Two Professional Program in Accounting students having a good time at the graduation lunch

The program directors host a lunch for the graduating bachelor’s degree class.

The entire PPA class dressed in business casual for the year's first social event.

The kickoff social is the first opportunity for PPA 13 students to meet fellow classmates and get to know each other. KPMG will host the social, providing a networking lunch and a soft skills presentation.

Professional Program in Accounting students work on their gingerbread house.

PPA Holiday Party

The PPA Holiday Party is a great way for students to connect outside the classroom and build friendships with other PPA students. Moss Adams will host the Holiday Party this year and will bring professionals to join in on the networking and fun!

Professional Program in Accounting students have a night out on the town.

Recruiting Events in the Spring

We hold several recruiting events hosted by different firms throughout the spring semester. BKD will host a community service event; BDO will host an etiquette lunch; and LGT will host the case competition.

Alumni Event

PPA alumni gather at a venue in Dallas for an evening of reconnecting and fun!

Four Professional Program in Accounting students gathered for a celebratory dinner

Graduation Dinner

The program directors host a dinner for the graduating master’s degree class.

Professional Development

A significant component of PPA is enhancing students’ professional development skills to ensure they are competitive candidates for internships. PPA students participate in a variety of professional development events, which include:

Résumé and networking sessions
Dining etiquette lunch
Mock interviews with partners from public accounting firms
Panel discussion with partners from public accounting firms on the difference between audit and tax
Excel training session
How to be successful in your public accounting internship panel discussion
How to be successful on the CPA exam panel discussion