Meet MAcc Student Kendall Pierson

Houston native Kendall Pierson began her accounting career at Rice after earning a BBA in Marketing (with an emphasis in digital marketing) from the University of Georgia. Before entering the MAcc program, she gained experience as a digital marketing intern with the University of Houston’s Enrollment Services team — and even worked at a local bakery for a stint to honor her love of baking. Continue reading to learn more about her journey and goals.

Tell us a little about your career and background.

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Education: University of Georgia, BBA in Marketing with an emphasis in digital marketing 

Relevant Career Highlights: During my undergraduate, I got to be a digital marketing intern with the University of Houston’s Enrollment Services team.

What is a fun fact about you?

I love baking, so I worked at a local bakery before joining the Rice MAcc program.

Why did you decide to pursue a MAcc?

After graduating with a marketing degree and reflecting on what I wanted my future career to look like, I knew I wanted more. I am grateful for my marketing background and experience, but shifting my focus to accounting seemed to better align with my skills, personality and future goals. I knew that a Master’s in Accounting would be the best next step.

Why did you choose Rice Business for your MAcc?

Being from Houston, I had always heard great things about Rice. When I was researching MAcc programs, Rice Business stood out to me — first, for its tight-knit community. From taking every class together to weekly social events, students build great connections and everyone helps one other reach their goals. Secondly, the Rice MAcc presents such a clear path to a successful career after the program. The MAcc-specific networking events and panels with professionals help tremendously with getting your foot in the door, which is so helpful for someone like me who didn’t major in accounting. 

But ultimately, the deciding factor for me was meeting the program’s director, Benjamin Lansford. He is truly the most welcoming and genuine person. Even from my first conversation with him, I could tell that he would always be in my corner and rooting for my success, both during the program and beyond.

How would you describe the culture here?

The culture in the MAcc program is one of the best parts of the program. It is built on collaboration rather than competition, and you truly feel like you are all in it together. The consistent support not only enhances the academic experience but also creates meaningful relationships that extend beyond the program. Being able to lean on others provides reassurance, motivation and confidence, even when the workload starts to ramp up.

Has anything exceeded your expectations about the MAcc program?

The thing that exceeded my expectations the most was the networking and career preparation Rice offers. Rice often brings back former MAcc students who are now working at major accounting firms, allowing students to talk to alumni who were once in our seats, dealing with the same classes and career decisions. Hearing their experiences helps you better picture your own path, and it makes everything feel much more achievable. Alums are always willing to share advice, answer questions and support current students, which shows how much they genuinely care about helping the next group succeed. 

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

I usually like to start my mornings with a long walk before my classes — the loop around Rice campus is my go-to. After that, we have one or two classes in the morning and one class in the afternoon, with a break in the middle. Our lunch period is long enough to spend time with friends and collaborate with each other on projects and assignments. Our last class ends at 2 p.m. everyday, but I like to stay after with study groups to get ahead on school work or workout at the gym across the street. In the evenings, I enjoy going to Rice sporting events, like volleyball and basketball games, or attending the MAcc Happy Hour Tab and Partios on Thursday.

What is your next career goal, and how has the program prepared you for it? 

My next big goal is to pass the CPA exams this summer and officially start my career as an audit associate at PwC this fall. Rice’s networking opportunities allowed me to build real connections with professionals at Big Four firms instead of just submitting applications online and hoping for the best — which helped me learn what each firm valued, understand their cultures and feel more confident throughout the recruiting process. 

Because of that exposure and preparation, I was fortunate to receive offers from multiple Big Four firms and accept one that felt like the perfect fit. I know that Rice has set me up with a strong foundation I can rely on both for passing the CPA exams and in my career long-term.

Kendall Pierson is a Master of Accounting student in the Class of 2026.