Master of Accounting student trusts her gut

Since Audrey Zuck ’24, ’25 (MAC) was 7, she’s told people she wanted to be a businesswoman. Her father, Jeff, is a business owner, and she looked up to him when she was growing up in Santa Barbara, California.

Zuck first majored in business at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, then transferred after a year to Carolina.

She never visited Carolina’s campus before transferring but trusted her gut to take the leap.

“What attracted me to Carolina was the atmosphere and the spirit,” said Zuck. “Carolina students are proud to be Carolina students. The alumni network expands across the entire country.”

Trusting her gut

Zuck wanted to attend law school and interned at a law firm in California during the summers. In her senior year at Carolina, she had another gut feeling — that law school wasn’t the right fit for her.

Thinking back to those first classes at Cal Poly that had sparked her interest in accounting, she decided to take a chance and apply for Carolina’s Master of Accounting program, within the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She was drawn to the program as students don’t need prior accounting experience to join. Once accepted, she felt “immediate excitement” to return to Carolina for another year.

“I saw that as a sign and my gut feeling to pursue accounting,” said Zuck. “I love this program, my education and my professors. The MAC program was the perfect fit for my life. So, at the end of the day, trust your gut.”

Gaining experience

The MAC program gives students educational resources to prepare for the certified public accounting exam, equipping students to pursue an accounting career after Carolina.

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Zuck concentrates on audit and financial analysis reporting. With audit reporting, she reviews a company’s financial statements to provide reasonable assurance that the information is accurate. In financial analysis reporting, Zuck analyzes financial statements to make predictions and help potential shareholders invest.

The program provides classes in accounting, creating and examining financial statements, and how to report financial transactions. Students are also given case studies to learn what is correct and incorrect on financial statements.

“Kenan-Flagler puts so much time and effort into helping their students,” said Zuck. “They have such an emphasis on networking, hands-on involvement and getting real world experience.”

Prepared for what’s in store

The program has a structured recruiting process to help with job placement, bringing in 15 firms of varying sizes for students to network with and ask questions.

“Since MAC is a smaller program, you feel more like family, and you have access to help very easily. You know everyone in the program and your professors by name,” said Zuck. “The program makes sure you feel like you’re on a steady path and have a clear vision of your future.”

After graduation, Zuck will be moving to New York City to join EY’s audit team. Eventually, she hopes to go into its technology industry within public accounting.