Accounting professional Min Zhang joins master's program to level up skills

Min Zhang (MACC '25) had been working in accounting in her home country of China for five years before her move to Arizona. She could tell the difference in the industries between the two countries, which led her to pursue the Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MACC) at W. P. Carey.

Moving to a new country means adapting to a lot of changes, including in your career. Min Zhang (MACC '25) discovered this when she moved to the United States two years ago.

Zhang had been working in accounting in her home country of China for five years before her move, gaining experience at large firms. But after coming to Phoenix, she could tell the difference in the industries between the two countries.

"I quickly realized that the accounting practice in the USA is greatly different than in my country," Zhang says. "In order to elevate my career and achieve my long-term professional goals, I needed to deepen my expertise in accounting, and a graduate degree would provide the necessary academic and professional growth."

This realization led her to the Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MACC) at the W. P. Carey School of Business, where she has been able to gain new skills and knowledge to add to her previous experience.

W. P. Carey News spoke to Zhang about what she's learned through the MACC program, her experience working with her classmates, and how the program is preparing her for her future.

Why W. P. Carey?

A key feature of the MACC program at W. P. Carey that stood out to Zhang is its emphasis on data and analytics. As technology continues to advance, having foundational knowledge in data analysis is an invaluable skill to have, especially within a numbers-driven industry like accounting.

Zhang calls the coursework within the program "very inspiring," highlighting the data analytics courses she's taken and skills she's picked up working with programs like Alteryx, Power BI, and Tableau.

"The course materials are highly relevant to my auditing work and provide me with sufficient knowledge to enhance my work efficiency," she says.

The program has also fostered connections between Zhang and her classmates, thanks to small class sizes and coursework that encourages collaboration.

"Through teamwork, we can discuss together, exchange our opinions, and generate new ideas," Zhang says. "Outside of class, our classmates developed a network through LinkedIn and other social networking sites, which provide us with a great place to communicate."

Why accounting?

Zhang's accounting career began five years ago in China. She started off at a large firm as an auditor, "where I gained a strong foundation in auditing and accounting," she says. She continued to advance in her career and switched companies, working in the healthcare industry and in private equity.

When she moved to the U.S., the differences in the industry between both countries led her to pursue further education. Zhang says the MACC program at W. P. Carey has helped her develop new skills, both technical and soft skills, that will greatly benefit her career development.

"At the W. P. Carey School, I also mastered the skill of critical thinking," says Zhang. "In addition to teaching us essential knowledge, the professor guided us on how to interpret that knowledge and use it to develop our professional judgment. This provided me with a great methodology for dealing with different scenarios I may encounter in the future."

Her most recent position was as an investment manager at a private equity firm, and she looks to continue with that career path, armed with even more knowledge about accounting and finance. "I hope to continue my career as an investor and help more startups solve their financial problems."

What's next?

The W. P. Carey Career Services Center provides a number of resources to help students prepare for their careers after graduation. Zhang highlighted the on-campus career fairs, as well as the workshops and professional advice for resume building and interviewing.

These resources, along with the "excellent professors and classmates," are some of the reasons why Zhang encourages students to come to W. P. Carey for their business education. "It's definitely worth it," she says.

When asked for further advice for future students, she adds, "Believe in yourself, and don't hesitate. This is a great opportunity to start a new life."