Unique Concentrations set the NC State Jenkins MAC Program Apart

Author: Carla

One unique aspect of the NC State Poole College’s Jenkins MAC Program is the ability to not only obtain a master’s degree in accounting but also to concentrate in one of the three unique areas: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Information Technology, or Tax Strategy. Taking a concentration is optional; however, about 60 percent of the Jenkins MAC students do choose a concentration. The MAC program curriculum requires three MBA electives. These electives can lead to your concentration. If you choose not to complete a concentration, you can select other electives that interest you.

Enterprise Risk Management Concentration

I have chosen to concentrate in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). The overview of ERM class is taught by Dr. Mark Beasley, Deloitte Professor of ERM in Poole College’s Department of Accounting and director of the college’s ERM Initiative. He is nationally known for his research, teaching and outreach regarding ERM.

Through the ERM concentration, we are learning how to create a formalized risk assessment process on an enterprise, or holistic, level. An ERM process looks at the entire entity, from more than just an accounting lens (even though financial reporting is included in the risk assessment process).

It is very beneficial to have such an educated and involved professor teaching this class, providing real world practical knowledge. Recently, all the MAC students attended an ERM Roundtable Summit presented by the ERM Initiative, where we heard speakers from Walgreen Company, Vanguard, and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, as well as directors from Provident Financial Services, Papa John’s Pizza, U.S. Bancorp, ResCare Incorporated, and Molex Incorporated. This event gave business professionals and students a better idea of ERM in the real world setting. The information learned from this experience will be very beneficial next semester when we are completing the ERM Practicum.

During our practicum, teams of students will work with various businesses and organizations to implement and enrich an ERM process. Knowing how to identify and help an organization assess risks will be a good trait to have in any area of the business profession. Having knowledge of ERM will add value and possibly lead to more opportunities while completing your MAC degree at the Poole College.

Information Technology and Tax Strategy Concentrations

The Information Technology and Tax Strategy concentrations also offer added value for a specific niche in the public accounting world. These classes are also taught by professors known for their expertise in these specific areas. It’s these professors who, I believe, set the Jenkins MAC Program apart from other programs.

Their real world knowledge of specific areas gives students a true understanding of the subject matter. When professors are this experienced, students feel confident and trust the professors’ knowledge. This makes students feel comfortable asking many questions, and depending on the information they receive.

These three concentrations also set the MAC program apart from others because of the added value the students receive through the professors’ knowledge and expertise, and the array of opportunities they offer to the students.

If none of these three concentrations appeal to you, no worries. There are many other MBA electives that are sure to satisfy your interests, including fraud examination, government and nonprofit accounting, and advanced managerial accounting, among others. There is definitely something for everyone, even if you are not taking a concentration.

I hope that this information will help when deciding if and what to concentrate in here in the Jenkins MAC Program. As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to ask questions and leave comments!