Emily Rychener’s Path From Coffeehouse Manager to PwC Manager

What can you do with a Master of Accounting?

For Emily Rychener ’19 (B.A.; MAcc, 2020), the answer has been a career that has grown alongside her — from earning her undergraduate degree in statistics at Rice to completing the Rice Business Master of Accounting program, joining PwC and advancing to a manager in the firm’s audit practice.

Along the way, the Rice MAcc helped her prepare for the CPA exam, build professional connections and develop the technical and interpersonal skills she uses with clients today.

Here’s how Rice Business prepared her for life after graduation, what she has learned about building a meaningful career in public accounting and her advice for students pursuing a MAcc.

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I completed my undergraduate degree in statistics at Rice University and graduated in 2019. I had taken a lot of classes when deciding my major, and statistics and economics stood out to me. I came to Houston from Colorado Springs and decided to stay at Rice for the Master of Accounting.

What led you to pursue a MAcc at Rice Business? 

Throughout my time as an undergraduate, I realized I enjoyed many of the skills that are necessary for accounting. I knew I liked math and organization, but I also had a lot of experience with customer service and working with others. During undergrad, I worked at Chaus (Rice Coffeehouse) and even became general manager during my junior and senior years. That gave me more experience in business, finance and management — on top of people skills. Once I discovered the MAcc and public accounting, I realized it was a career path that aligned strongly with my skill set and interests, because it allowed me to combine my customer service and analytical skills. 

How would you describe your experience at Rice Business? 

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Rigorous, but also supportive and tight-knit. As a one-year program, it went by quickly, but it was manageable because we were able to work together and depend on each other. We had lots of preparation for the CPA exam and recruiting, and I feel like the atmosphere really prepared me for the real world.

Looking back, I am grateful for how much the Rice MAcc prepares you for the CPA exam. Once I started my career, I had already successfully passed all of the CPA exams, and was able to focus fully on my work with the firm. 

What class stuck with you the most?

Advanced auditing, taught by Kelly Drakey. Professor Drakey had experience working in public accounting, so our assignments and lectures felt very applicable and valuable because she taught from her perspective working with clients at a Big Four firm.

How did the Rice MAcc help you land your first role?

One of the things I loved about the Rice MAcc is that it helps students prepare for recruiting before they even begin the program. Professor Ben Lansford, director of the MAcc program, is very intentional about introducing students directly to recruiters early on and ensuring they make the right connections. In addition to hosting on-campus events, the program provides training sessions that prep students for recruiting and building soft skills, such as setting up a mock business lunch.

What is your current role?

I started at PwC as an intern before entering the MAcc program. After graduation, I returned as an associate and was promoted to senior associate after two “busy seasons.” I am now a manager in the audit practice at PwC and predominantly work with private companies. Day to day, I provide assurance services to a variety of industries and clients — such as family-owned or private equity-owned businesses across industries ranging from healthcare and utilities.

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What does a typical “day in the life” look like for you?

Something I like about public accounting is that every day looks a little bit different. Even as far as where I’m working can differ: Sometimes I’m in the PwC firm office downtown, sometimes I’m at site visits with clients and sometimes I travel to clients across the country.

We use an apprenticeship model, which allows our team to stay very connected. As a manager, much of my role is to help coach our associates through and sharpen their accounting and soft skills.

If you could go back to your first year at PwC, what would you tell yourself? 

During the MAcc, I was very Type A, goal-oriented and always working toward the finish line — whether it was completing an assignment or reaching the end of a semester. I think I would tell myself, “Focus less on finishing your to-do list and more on building your network and the journey along the way.”

How did the MAcc influence your advancement into higher-level roles?

Being prepared to take the CPA exam was key. The Rice MAcc also gave me lots of practice working in group settings, which translated well to my role in public accounting since we work in teams for most everything we do. The program also prioritizes helping students exercise judgment — making calls when things aren’t always clear — because in accounting, hardly anything is black and white.

What benefits of the MAcc became noticeably more valuable over time?

One of the biggest benefits was my ability to build my network. We still get together often, but many of my peers took different career paths. It’s really helpful to know different people in different industries — whether they work other accounting consulting roles or are in-house accountants for a specific company.

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What are your next career goals?

Six years into my time at PwC, I am feeling fulfilled in my current role. I am frequently given new opportunities and look forward to continuing to mentor others at our firm. As I enter my third year as a manager, I am grateful to continue working with clients across diverse businesses and fields, learning about their work and helping them succeed. 

Do you have any advice for someone considering pursuing a MAcc at Rice?

You won’t regret it! The Rice MAcc program offers students a strong path to career stability, particularly through its preparation for the CPA. Whether you plan to stay in Houston like I did or look for roles across the country, CPA credentials are always in demand.

What skills would you recommend for someone who wants to accelerate their career?

1. Get comfortable receiving feedback, especially if you’re a high-achieving student or are used to receiving straight A’s. This is crucial both in the MAcc and on the job.
2. Learn how to ask good questions so that you can get to the right answers.
3. Practice explaining things simply, particularly complex ideas into client-friendly language, by using your own words.
    

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