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, 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.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas, completing the Internal Audit Education Partnership (IAEP) program in 2010. Matt is an officer for the Dallas Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, is on the Advisory Council for the UT Dallas Undergraduate Accounting program, and is active in the TXCPA-Dallas Chapter.
Why did you come to choose the UT Dallas Accounting Program?
My initial intent was to obtain a Business Administration degree once I transferred from Brookhaven. However, my Principles of Accounting processor at Brookhaven, Dave Weaver, suggested that I consider a degree in accounting based on my performance in his class. Honestly, I was never planning on a career in accounting until I found the IAEP program at UT Dallas. Once I got into this program, I realized there are many options for students with accounting degrees that do not fall into the traditional accounting realm.
What is your best learning experience at UT Dallas?
My initial intent was to obtain a Business Administration degree once I transferred from Brookhaven. However, my Principles of Accounting processor at Brookhaven, Dave Weaver, suggested that I consider a degree in accounting based on my performance in his class. Honestly, I was never planning on a career in accounting until I found the IAEP program at UT Dallas. Once I got into this program, I realized there are many options for students with accounting degrees that do not fall into the traditional accounting realm.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
During the first semester of my graduate degree, I got the opportunity to go to the IAEP Conference in Orlando and got to meet students from around the globe, and had a chance to get in front of employers in my field. I learned a lot during this conference, had a lot of fun (it was a free vacation), and made many contacts that I still keep in touch with today.
What advice do you have for college students looking to succeed professionally?
I would ask many questions, don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. In my opinion, a good manager should acknowledge that new college grads likely have little to no relevant work experience and should expect to train new hires who have recently graduated. Personally, my expectation is that newly graduated new hires come in with an eagerness to learn, show the ability to apply what they have learned on a go-forward basis, and have a desire to work as a team. If you can come into the work environment and show these traits, then we can train you on the technical side of things.
