When Seth Prather started college in 2020, he thought he’d be writing code, not crunching numbers.
But after a little bit of time as a computer science major, he realized it just wasn’t the right fit.
“Some people ask me, ‘Why did you jump from computer science?’ Because I learned I wasn’t good at it,” 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’s degree in accounting from the University of Louisiana 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 Louisiana, candidates need 120 college credit hours to sit for the exam — but 150 to become licensed. That extra 30 hours made a graduate degree the logical next step.
“Earning my master’s in accounting was just a pathway to bigger and better things,” he says.
UL Lafayette’s 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’s 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.
“That flexibility helped a lot, especially during my final term when I went full-time at EisnerAmper,” he says.
The program wasn’t just a way to fit schoolwork into his packed schedule. It opened doors to unexpected connections with his peers.
“Even though it was an online environment, group projects helped us get to know each other's personalities, and we developed a camaraderie,” he says.
Though he prefers in-person interactions, Prather found that the online format prepared him well for the increasingly virtual nature of today’s professional world.
“In 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.”
Tackling the CPA Exam and Embracing New Opportunities
With his master’s 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’s 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.
“After the CPA, I’d like to do some traveling. After being hunkered down for those few years in college, it’ll be nice to take a little rest,” 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.”
Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about UL Lafayette’s master’s in accounting online program.
