When Seth Prather started college in 2020, he thought he鈥檇 be writing code, not crunching numbers.
But after a little bit of time as a computer science major, he realized it just wasn鈥檛 the right fit.
鈥淪ome people ask me, 鈥榃hy did you jump from computer science?鈥 Because I learned I wasn鈥檛 good at it,鈥 he laughs.
What did make sense? Accounting.
The structured, analytical nature of the field felt like a better match, so he made the switch and earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting from the 亚洲自慰视频 of 亚洲自慰视频 at Lafayette in December 2023.
Prather turned his internship with global CPA firm EisnerAmper into a full-time job and set his sights on the CPA exam.
In 亚洲自慰视频, candidates need 120 college credit hours to sit for the exam 鈥 but 150 to become licensed. That extra 30 hours made a graduate degree the logical next step.
鈥淓arning my master鈥檚 in accounting was just a pathway to bigger and better things,鈥 he says.
UL Lafayette鈥檚 online M.S. in Accounting program offered the perfect opportunity to meet that requirement while equipping Prather with the advanced skills necessary to take his career to the next level.
Balancing Taxes and Schoolwork
The flexibility of UL Lafayette鈥檚 M.S. in Accounting online program was a game-changer for Prather as his responsibilities in tax accounting for EisnerAmper grew.
When work was demanding, he could scale back on his assignments. When he had time to spare, he pushed ahead.
鈥淭hat flexibility helped a lot, especially during my final term when I went full-time at EisnerAmper,鈥 he says.
The program wasn鈥檛 just a way to fit schoolwork into his packed schedule. It opened doors to unexpected connections with his peers.
鈥淓ven though it was an online environment, group projects helped us get to know each other's personalities, and we developed a camaraderie,鈥 he says.
Though he prefers in-person interactions, Prather found that the online format prepared him well for the increasingly virtual nature of today鈥檚 professional world.
鈥淚n my job at an international firm, most of my work is in the office, but there are times you need to hop on a virtual call. The online program set me up well for that kind of collaboration.鈥
Tackling the CPA Exam and Embracing New Opportunities
With his master鈥檚 in accounting now completed, Prather plans to take on the four-part CPA exam after tax season, giving himself time to prepare and build on the foundation he developed through UL Lafayette鈥檚 program.
But the exam is just one chapter. Prather is eager to watch his career unfold, and, after years of hard work, take a well-deserved break.
鈥淎fter the CPA, I鈥檇 like to do some traveling. After being hunkered down for those few years in college, it鈥檒l be nice to take a little rest,鈥 he says.
As he looks ahead, Prather has advice for those working through the program: "Remember that it's not forever; a break will come, things will get better, and it's going to be worth it at the end. Accounting is a very secure job.鈥
Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about UL Lafayette鈥檚 master鈥檚 in accounting online program.
