Excelling in Their Field: Meet the Michigan Ross Master of Accounting Class of 2024

The Michigan Ross MAcc Class of 2024 comprises 76 students, 61% of whom are women. The 2024 cohort hails from 50 undergraduate institutions, with 75% of the students being non-University of Michigan undergrads. This new class also comes to Ross with a highly impressive academic record, entering the program with an average GPA of 3.75.

The eight-month STEM-designated degree program began in August with a trip to Washington D.C. for the EY Accounting and Public Policy Symposium. After kickstarting the program in the U.S. capitol, MAcc students returned to Ann Arbor to embrace the rigorous curriculum at Ross and are learning the skills they’ll need to stand out in a competitive job market, prepare for their CPA exams, and establish careers at impactful organizations like the Big Four: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Below, meet three members of the MAcc Class of 2024.
 

Ben Darmofal

Hometown
Mason, MI

Undergraduate school and major
I attended Grand Valley State University and majored in accounting.

What is your post-graduation career interest? 
I plan to work for a public accounting firm after school in the auditing field, allowing me to eventually gain knowledge of the language behind the operations of a business, which I can apply to my future career interests, including entrepreneurship, real estate, and private equity.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MAcc Program?
I have aspirations that go beyond the field of public accounting, and I truly believe the Michigan Ross MAcc Program is the route that will put me in the best position to pursue and achieve these dreams.  

What made the Ross MAcc Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The fact that it was not just a master's program shaped to prepare me for the CPA examinations. The program includes both classes that allow you to prepare for the exams, as well as the option to take multiple Ross electives and expand your knowledge beyond the CPA exam material.

What are you most looking forward to at Ross?
I am most excited about being able to engage with my fellow MAcc students both in and out of the classroom and engage in the numerous career development opportunities offered throughout the year.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
I think this experience at Ross will forever shape my future in more ways than simply having "Stephen M. Ross School of Business" on my resume. Making connections that will last a lifetime and being prepared for any challenge that will be thrown my way will forever have an impact on my future, both in and out of the workplace.

Yuchen Wang

Hometown
Shanghai, China

Undergraduate school and major
I attended Pennsylvania State University and earned a bachelor of science in accounting.

What is your post-graduation career interest? 
Audit and assurance.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MAcc Program?
With an interest in auditing, I want to pursue a master of accounting to accumulate and extend my practical knowledge in auditing. I believe the advanced and rigorous curriculum and career resources at Ross can prepare me well for academic achievement and my future career.

What made the Ross MAcc Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The various career-related activities, especially the EY Accounting and Public Policy Symposium! When I browsed various master of accounting programs, the Michigan Ross MAcc was the only one I saw that offered such a unique and awesome course. I was looking forward to it, and it was for sure one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a student.

What are you most looking forward to at Ross?
I’m really excited to be involved in a new community and meet new friends. Gaining an excellent academic and career experience is also what I look forward to at Michigan Ross.

How do you believe pursuing this degree at Ross will help you in your career?
I believe the MAcc Program can help me equip myself with practical skills and knowledge that I can apply in the future to achieve my career goals. It will also help me build a lifelong connection with outstanding practitioners in accounting.

Claire Heritage

Hometown
Rochester Hills, MI

Undergraduate school and major
I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts in accounting and a minor in information technology.

What is your post-graduation career interest?
I have accepted a position with Plante Moran in their National Tax Office in Chicago.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MAcc Program? 
To be eligible to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, I needed additional credit hours and wanted to ensure the education would be beneficial toward my long-term career goals. I researched several master’s programs in accounting, and the program at Ross is renowned nationwide. Being from Michigan, I also wanted to stay closer to family and my ties in the area.

What made the Ross MAcc Program stand out to you versus other programs?
From the very outset, all of my dealings with Ross have been positive. The volume of resources available to the student body is remarkable, and the faculty with oversight of the course curriculum is highly regarded. Lastly, I wanted exposure to a variety of teaching styles.

What are you most looking forward to at Ross?
Apart from the excitement of living in Ann Arbor, I am eager to meet new people, network, make memories, and better prepare myself for a career in accounting in an urban setting.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
When I graduate from Ross, I am confident that I will have attained the necessary skills to be successful in my career as a certified public accountant. Furthermore, the future networking opportunities available through friendships I have made in the program are endless and invaluable.