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Frank Espino graduated with a BBA in Accounting in December 2019  and  is  currently  a  student  in  the Master of Accountancy Program at UTEP. He has  served  as  the  President  of  the  Internal  Audit  Student  Association  and  Accounting  Society,  as  well as having served as a member of Beta Alpha Psi,  and  the  TXCPA  local  chapter.    Additionally, Espino’s professional experience includes time with Josh Lucas CPA, and SBNG as a Tax Accountant. He is currently employed as a Teaching Assistant for the MAcc Program and is expected to finish the program in Spring 2021. Espino has accepted a tax position at firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Fort Worth in 2021.

Frank Espino is currently enrolled in the Master of Accountancy Program at UTEP. Espino credits his time in undergraduate student  organizations  for  helping  him  grow  as  a  leader  and  for  challenging  him  to  excel  academically  in  his  courses.  He has accepted a tax position at firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Fort Worth that will begin in in 2021.

How your graduate school experience been so far?

It’s actually been a smooth transition into graduate school.  I had previously  taken  some  grad level courses on the fast-track program as an undergraduate  student,  so  I  was  already  used  to  the evening schedule of graduate school. It is a bit easier to manage the workload because I have to deal with only one class every five weeks, compared to balance four or five classes simultaneously.  In  terms  of  coursework, I  have  found  the  material  offered in the MAcc program more engaging and easier to relate to as the topics in my corporate tax course covered areas connected to my current job.

Tell us about your internship with accounting giant Pricewaterhousecoopers. (PwW)

I attended the PwCBootcamp during my first year at  the Woody L. Hunt College of Business.  At  that  time,  I  wasn’t  really  involved  in  any extracurricular activities – and my grades were not ideal, so I wasn’t interviewed by the recruiters. After  that,  I  made  it  a  priority  to  apply  myself  in  my studies and challenge myself academically [so] I could secure a position with the company in the future.  Last  year,  I  landed  an  interview  with  one  of  the  recruiters  and  secured  a  tax  position  with  the  firm  starting  in  June.  I am really excited to work for PwC.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  accounting  firms worldwide and the experience will only help me  grow  as  an  accounting  professional.  I  hope  to  become  more  proficient  utilizing  the  current  tax  code;  I  also  want  to  gain  a  more  thorough  understanding  of  accounting  topics  to  assist  me  prepare for the CPA exam.

What   student   and   professional   organizations   are you involved with?

How does it enhance what you’ve learned in the classroom? During  my  second  year  as  a  business  student,  I  became  an  active  member  of  the  Accounting  Society  and  Beta  Alpha  Psi;  the  following  year  I  became  the  President  of  UTEP’s  Accounting  Society.  This year, I have the privilege of being the President of the Internal   Audit   Student   Association.  Once you start getting involved in one organization,   it   gets   easier   and   becomes   more engaging work   with   other   groups   and   organizations     –     these     experiences     during     undergrad helped me to grow as a leader. In these student  organizations,  you’re  constantly  involved  in events, meetings, networking mixers with great professionals  who  share  their  experiences  with  us.  You  begin  to  pick  up  on  the  traits  that  served  them well and helped them grow, too. In addition, student  organizations  allowed  me  to  develop  my  leadership and professional skills, assist my peers, and get a glimpse into what a career in accounting looks like.

How do you unwind and de-stress after a long week?

Even  as  an  accountant,  I  often  try  to  leave  some  time available to work on my art and do what I feel passionate about. I often draw or paint after a long day of work/school because it allows me to unwind and take my mind off things.  I  have  always  been  an  artist  at  heart  –  I  actually  started  college  as  a  painting  major.    I  encourage  everyone,  especially  those who spend a lot of time working analytically, like us business students, to find a creative outlet to  let  our  minds  breathe  and  forget  about  the  craziness and stressful nature of school and work. I  have  realized  that  I  haven’t  stopped  being  an  artist  now  that  I’m  an  accountant.  While I’m at work, my notes will usually be filled with motifs or little doodles.  I  constantly  get  complimented  on  my notes, so I guess having an artistic background comes in handy at times!