Alumni Profiles

Elon MSA alumni work in audit, risk and financial analysis, assurance, cyber, privacy and forensics, tax, and corporate counsel. They are working in places such as Atlantic Sports Group, Baker Tilly, Berdon LLP, Clifton Larsen Allen, Deloitte, EPIcenter Memphis, EY, Gilliam Bell Moser, JF Petroleum Group, KPMG US, PBMares, LLP, PRA Health Sciences, PwC, Syneos Health, Winston, Williams, Creech, Evans & Company. They are also part of a network of professionals who will offer support, advice and guidance throughout your career.

Dean Anzalone ‘21 G’22

Position: Audit Associate

Company: PwC

The MSA program exposed Dean to accounting topics not covered during his undergraduate career and provided him with a greater understanding of potential career pathways in areas such as IT auditing and forensic accounting. He says the amount of knowledge gained through his MSA coursework, guest speakers, and his professors’ and classmates’ experiences helped prepare him to launch his career.

YouTube: Watch a Q&A with Dean

A lot of the material that I got to learn in these classes have started to benefit me when I'm now starting to study and take the CPA exams. There hasn't been a subject that I've gone through that I haven't had at least some sort of exposure to or familiarity with.

Jonathan Connolly ‘20 G’21

Position: External Audit Associate

Company: PwC

The MSA program opened Jonathan’s eyes to the increasingly complex world of accounting. It helped him improve his technological skills to better automate tasks, and he gained a deeper understanding of the growing regulatory environment surrounding tax law, auditing and financial statement preparation. The program prepared Jonathan to successfully pass all four sections of the CPA exam.

I was able to build strong relationships with the MSA faculty and received valuable insights into their personal experiences as accounting professionals that I can apply to help achieve my own career goals.

Emma C. Holderread ’18, G’19, CPA

Position: Tax Associate

Company: PwC

Emma loved the idea of continuing her academic career with Elon and completed the Elon MSA following her undergraduate experience. She says the graduate program’s coursework complemented that of the undergraduate’s, which was “perfect” for helping her prepare for the CPA exam.

Elon’s MSA program curriculum concentrated on the main concepts found on the CPA exam, which made the study process easier and resulted in my successful acquisition of the certification.

Ciara Mottley ’21 G’22

Position: Assurance Experienced Associate

Company: PwC

Ciara’s favorite part of the MSA program was the network. She developed relationships with her professors and classmates who provided support and encouragement to help her excel. Her advice to new students is to not hesitate to reach out and ask for help.

YouTube: Watch a Q&A with Ciara

Your professors are excellent and want to see you succeed. Your fellow classmates also want to see you succeed and they celebrate your successes and they’re there to support you.