Each year, more MSU accounting graduate students are opting to take the CPA Exam while still in school, rather than waiting until they have entered the professional arena. The Adkerson School of Accountancy’s faculty and staff provide support and guidance to equip them for the task, and the results have been impressive. Many have found success in preparing for and taking the exam concurrent with their MPA or MTX studies, which in addition to course content, includes a Becker CPA Exam Review class.

Our 2024-25 graduate assistants (GAs) are a prime example; each took all four parts of the exam. Collectively, their success rate was nearly 100 percent, with six of the eight GAs passing all parts, and two successful on most sections. The Bulldog Ledger talked to some who passed all four parts and completed his or her master’s degree in May.

BL: Why did you decide to take the CPA Exam while still in school?

Bell: When to take the CPA exam was a difficult decision to make. However, I knew that if I waited until completing my master’s degree, I would be both further from the academic lifestyle and materials and would have more to juggle with a full-time career. Many graduate students begin their CPA journeys during the school year, so I knew I would be supported to sit for these exams by my professors and peers. When I started, my mom told me to take it one exam at a time and that there was no pressure. However, when the first “Passed” appeared on my computer screen, the motivation to continue and complete all four sections skyrocketed!

Hesse: Since my internship during the spring semester of my senior year, I knew I wanted to aim to complete the CPA Exam before I began my full time role in October 2025. Seeing what it truly meant to work in public accounting, I knew it would be a tall task to complete the exam while working full time. Some of my coworkers at Warren Averett strongly encouraged me to complete the exam during graduate school, so that was my mindset going into it. In addition, the Adkerson School of Accountancy encourages students to begin the process as they are beginning graduate school.

Reid: I decided to take the CPA Exam while still in school because I had access to resources that would help me prepare for it. I also wanted to take the CPA Exam out of the way so I wouldn’t have to split my time between studying and starting my career.

BL: How did the Adkerson School of Accountancy help prepare you to be successful on the CPA Exam?

Hesse: I feel as though the School sets up its students with all the resources necessary to be successful on the CPA Exam. During graduate school orientation, they introduce the exam, walk you through the process of getting signed up for it with the state board of accountancy and have previous students who have completed the exam come talk about the process. In addition, we have a Becker study course in graduate school that provides a guided timeline for studying and taking the three core sections of the exam, and Professor [Alan] Stancill provides assistance if students have specific questions while studying the material or need guidance on the exam in general. We have multiple courses throughout grad school that correspond with the exam material, which is especially helpful when studying for the exams because the information is fresh in your mind. I also felt like all the faculty were always there to encourage me – which I needed often. They helped guide me on how to study in the couple of weeks before the test, which discipline section I should take and any other thing I needed help with throughout the process.

Reid: The Adkerson School of Accountancy prepared me for the CPA Exam by holding me to a high educational standard. The professors constantly pushed the students to understand the concepts that we were taught on a deeper level. This deeper level of understanding allowed me not only to learn about accounting but also to master the subjects that were presented to me. This high educational standard, combined with easily accessible resources, aided in my success on the exam.

Bell: Without the support of my Adkerson School of Accountancy professors, only the Lord knows where I would be in my CPA journey. I was basically clueless about the pathway to becoming a CPA before I met with Dr. Brad Lang during my senior year. The subject of my email to him was simply, “Help.” Thankfully, he was prepared for every question I approached him with and provided resources, tips and guidance every step of the way. Most of all, he and every other professor provided encouragement and the utmost confidence in each student as we prepared for the exams. My success on the CPA Exam is undoubtedly attributable to the support I received from these professors both in academic preparation and emotional empathy.

When I look back at my decision to stay at Mississippi State for one more year and attend the Adkerson School of Accountancy’s graduate program, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Had I attended any other school, I do not believe I would have been given the same level of mentorship, guidance and personal genuine care I received. While our statistics are impressive, this School cares more about its people succeeding individually than becoming another successful statistic to tout. I was challenged and sharpened professionally, technically and personally. The Adkerson School of Accountancy gave me the foundation I needed to succeed on the CPA Exam, but more than that, it gave me memories, relationships and connections I will always carry with me.

BL: With classes, work as a graduate assistant and exam prep, how did you manage your time?

Reid: Balancing class, work and study was my greatest struggle while pursuing the CPA Exam. My key to success was prioritization. I would set out my tasks for the week and determine which ones were the highest priorities, then I would work down my list until I had each item completed. This was by no means a foolproof plan for time management; however, it assisted me in managing my tasks when they seemed unmanageable.

Bell: When my family moved me into my freshman dorm in the height of coronavirus, my dad’s biggest piece of advice was to “remember why you’re here.” I knew that college would be full of many exciting memories and new adventures, but academics should be the highest priority. Managing my time was as simple as “keeping first things first.” This bled into graduate school when I knew that working hard toward a CPA license as soon as I could would pay off in the end. My main priority during graduate school was just that – school. By keeping my priorities straight, my time basically managed itself.

Hesse: It’s a daunting task to balance being in graduate school and working, all while studying for 4 separate exams, but I think the absolute key is to be extremely organized and disciplined. The professors knew that we were trying to knock out the exams outside of trying to be successful in their classes, and they were very understanding of that. They were willing to accommodate our exams, which took some of the stress off figuring out how to balance everything. In addition, the faculty and staff were understanding of us utilizing our time at work, so we were able to study in the office once we had completed our work. There were times when my workload for school was heavy, and there were lots of things going on in the accounting office, all while needing to complete my Becker for the day, but I tried to always plan out my days and weeks, so I was able to stay on top of everything. I would always schedule my exams around my school schedule, so I wasn’t trying to study for a school exam while also doing final review for a CPA Exam. This process taught me how to be extremely disciplined and to stick to my schedule because that was the only way everything was going to get done.

BL: What are you doing now that you have graduated?

Bell: I work in the tax department at C Spire at the headquarters office in Ridgeland, MS. My official job title is Tax Compliance accountant.

Hesse: In October, I will begin my job as an Audit Associate at Warren Averett in their Birmingham office.

Reid: I am currently working as a Staff A Accountant for BMSS Advisors & CPAs in Ridgeland, MS.

BL: How has it benefited you to complete the exam while still at MSU?

Hesse: It has been such a relief to complete the exam before beginning my full time job. Luckily, I don’t start in my role until later in the fall, which gives me time to relax after a full year of graduate school and CPA Exam studying. In addition, I feel like going into my new position having all the exams completed will be a great testament to my work ethic and how I can hopefully be successful in this new role.

Reid: Completing the CPA Exam while still at MSU benefits me because I entered the workforce with the certifications that make me a desirable employee. By graduating with the CPA Exam completed, I entered into my position with knowledge and skills that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Another benefit is the freedom of time that comes with having the CPA Exam completed. Thankfully, I’ll be able to devote myself to my work and furthering my career while being able to enjoy my personal life outside work, which would have otherwise been dedicated to studying.

Bell: Completing the exam before graduating with my master’s degree has allowed me to fully focus on my career and pursuing my post-grad goals. Instead of spending my mornings before and evenings after work studying, I have the flexibility to dedicate myself to the extracurricular avenues inside my company. I am able to connect with my coworkers more, increase my accounting knowledge and contribute in more ways than just my nine-to-five role. I now fully understand why I was encouraged to pass the CPA Exam before starting my career. Plus, when I come home every evening, I can read any book and watch any show I want – no more textbooks or Becker lectures!