The document summarizes an MS Accounting Program project done by BP Consulting. It defines the scope of the project which included primary research like informational interviews of alumni and community members. The secondary research covered updating information from websites, student organizations, faculty interviews and more. The results would be used for a newsletter and additional content. Key takeaways from the project emphasized communication skills, persistence, tailoring messages, grammar, and defining project scope.

1. MS Accounting Program Project
BP Consulting
Valiant, Karen, Daphne, Jasyca, Lisa
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2. Client Overview
Mary Guan, CPA, Director of the MS Accounting Program
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3. Project Overview
Problem: Lack of central repository for MS Acct Program information and
information that current/former students find interesting
Actions: Define categories, gather content
Results: Newsletter, additional content
Learnings: Individual takeaways discussed at the end of presentation
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4. Scope - Primary Research
• Informational interviews
• Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Rockecharlie
• Community Involvement: Wanda Beverly
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5. Scope - Primary Research (cont.)
Informational Interview Template
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6. Scope - Primary Research (cont.)
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• Alumni Spotlight—Articles and Stories of Alumni
• Kevin Rockecharlie
• MBA & MSA alumnus of UTD
• Founder of BMK
• Skillset for career success:
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Desire
Kevin M. Rockecharlie, CISA
Director of IT Audit Services

7. Scope - Secondary Research
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• Websites for CPA/CMA updates
• Student organizations (ALA, Ascend, etc.) for
upcoming events and event photos
• Professor interviews from one of the project teams in
the day class (ACCT 6388)
• Faculty and staff (Ms. Ensminger, Professor Guan,
etc.) for student projects feedback and alumni
information

8. Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)
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•Initiative formally began in Fall 2015
•Focuses on projects with startups, nonprofit
organizations and small to mid-sized companies
•Hands out flyers in accelerators and sends the business
a Project Connection form
•Completed forms are forwarded to Professor Goodrich
for approval
ProConnect Program
Build the Future – One Project at a Time
Lucretia Ensminger
Business Relationship Manager

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Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)

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Scope - Secondary Research (cont.)

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Hot News
Hot topics and news on campus and in the
professional field
Upcoming Events
Accounting related events both on- and off-
campus
Faculty Spotlight
Articles and interview videos of MSA
professors
Alumni Spotlight
Articles and stories of alumni
Employment Spotlight
Employers that are hiring/have hired alumni
Community Involvement
Introduction and reflection of VITA program
and other community involvement activities

12. Results (cont.)
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• VITA goals:
• Provide information about tax law
• Give general tax advice and guidelines
• Help to avoid tax penalties
Wanda Beverly
Tax Compliance Officer, UTD
27 years of tax and payroll experience

13. Takeaways
Jasyca: Communication skills are very important!
Lisa: Be persistent: even embarrassing
experiences can be learning experiences
Daphne: It is very important to tailor emails to the
specific situation.
Karen: Grammar is very important and practice makes
perfect!
Valiant: Ensure project scope is defined and limit creep
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14. Thank you!
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