J.B. Yett, BS’09, MS’10

J.B. with his family
Yett, his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Caroline. J.B. and Lauren met at UT Dallas.

Audit Manager, Grant Thornton Llp

Yett earned both his undergraduate and master’s degree in accounting from Jindal School, where he was part of the selective Professional Program in Accounting. The PPA offers top accounting students smaller classes along with training in soft skills and access to choice internships. Upon graduation, Yett joined Grant Thornton where his current responsibilities include managing multiple audit engagement teams and client relationships. His role includes ensuring high quality audit execution and distinctive client service. Yett remains connected to Jindal School, coming back to campus to talk with and recruit students.

How your degree has impacted your career?

The accounting profession is an industry that heavily relies on standards, the foundations and concepts of which are rooted in academic preparation. Although there is a lot more to being a good auditor or accountant than knowing GAAP and GAAS, having a solid foundational knowledge that an accounting degree affords you in these areas really prepares you to succeed from a technical perspective.

What is a professional highlight of your career, either where you currently work or in the past?

While my career is still young, being chosen as a career coach by less experienced colleagues is always a wonderful feeling. Helping people through tough times or situations is a rewarding experience, and watching “coachees” succeed and promote to the next level never gets old.

What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?

I met my wonderful wife at UTD. Although we didn’t start dating until after we graduated, looking back on our friendship during school and the time we spent together getting to know one other while at UTD has to be my favorite memory by a longshot.

Did a UT Dallas professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?

I can’t narrow it down to one, but Matt Polze, Amy Troutman and Tiffany Bortz all made lasting impressions on me and took risks on admitting me to the first PPA class. Their support was continuous and genuine, and I continue to be appreciative for their contributions that really helped launch my career.

What advice do you have for college students hoping to succeed professionally?

Don’t forget the fundamentals of a good handshake and a conversation. There are so many ways to connect and even more technologies that have been created to enable that connection, but all of these methods and conveniences can’t replace genuine face-to-face connections and discussions.

What makes an effective leader?

I won’t pretend to always be an effective leader, but having fun is important. People want to be in a fun and supportive environment and they perform better when they are. Even more importantly, be honest. No one has all the answers, so when I don’t know the answer, I say so. Finding the right answer is much more important than having a quick answer.

More from Bachelor’s in Accounting Alumni Spotlights

Matt Paske, CPA, CIA, BS'08, MS'10

Matt Paske, CPA, CIA, BS'08, MS'10

Senior Manager, Weaver

Matt has been a CIA and CPA for more than ten years and has worked with multiple organizations in industries which include inventory-based businesses (such as retail and manufacturing and distribution), oil and gas production, commercial banking, and state and federal government agencies, and technology. Matt has specialized in projects including SOX compliance, internal control analysis, business process improvement, risk assessment, fraud prevention, operational analysis, and CFO advisory for private and publicly held companies.

Sino Varghese, MS’08

Sino Varghese, MS’08

Assurance Partner, Moss Adams

Sino graduated from UT Dallas with a bachelors and masters in Accounting. She has practiced public accounting since 2006 and serves as an Assurance Audit Partner in the Dallas office. She provides assurance services to various entities mostly in the energy and energy-related construction and manufacturing industries. Sino is heavily involved in recruiting both campus and experienced hires and spends a significant amount of time recruiting at UT Dallas.

Brandy Arbuthnot, BS’99 MS’02

Brandy Arbuthnot, BS’99 MS’02

Tax Partner, BDO, USA LLP

In her current position at BDO, Arbuthnot assists accounting clients with their tax compliance and consulting needs including tax returns, tax provision preparation and review, assistance with tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, and other tax planning matters. She joined BDO, an international assurance, tax and financial advisory services firm, after earning her undergraduate accounting degree. Her master’s degree is also in accounting. “My degrees prepared me for a career in public accounting and the necessary qualifications for the CPA exam. Furthermore, my experience at UT Dallas prepared me to have success the professional world,” she said. BDO certainly covers the world, with offices in 167 countries.

Ernest Lowery, BS'08, MS'09

Ernest Lowery, BS'08, MS'09

Assurance Director, PwC

Ernest has worked in the assurance practice at PwC for over 10 years. He has worked with public and private clients in a number of industries, including energy, industrial products, media and entertainment and technology. He most recently worked in a digital role, where his primary focus was helping to develop new tools to be used across the assurance practice. What he enjoys most is working with clients and his teams to complete a common goal.

Remsen Jennings, BS'11, MS'12

Remsen Jennings, BS'11, MS'12

Assurance Services, EY

Remsen Jennings graduated summa cum laude with a double bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance in 2011, following that with a master’s degree in accounting in 2012. During his time at UT Dallas, Jennings was appointed as a UT System Student Advisory Council member, elected as student body vice president, served as president of the Davidson Management Honors Program and was a member of the Professional Program in Accounting.

Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Accounting?

Bachelor’s Degree Program


The Bachelor’s Degree in  Accounting prepares you for diverse career options. There is a wide range of high-demand paths to pursue. It is the only Jindal School program tailored for students who want to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

BS in Accounting

Master’s Degree Programs


A Master’s in Accounting and Analytics Program that fits your needs. Choose between the Flex Program and complete the coursework at your own pace, or, the Cohort Program where you take all courses together with other students as a community.

MS in Accounting and Analytics Flex MS in Accounting and Analytics Cohort

PhD Concentration in Accounting


Our PhD Accounting program is designed for students seeking training in the most advanced issues in accounting, both theoretical and applied. Primarily intended for tenure-track positions in research-oriented universities.

PhD in Management Science, Accounting Concentration