Student Ambassador

Meet Dyson Zukiwsky
Macc Student Ambassador

Dyson Zukiwsky, Master of Accounting Student Ambassador, briefly shares about himself, why he chose the MAcc, how MAcc has impacted his career, and advice for anyone interested in entering the program.

Tell us about yourself!

Ever since I took my first accounting class I knew that accounting was for me. I’m originally from Red Deer and started my undergraduate degree at Red Deer Polytechnic for two years and then transferred to the University of Alberta to finish my commerce degree and then began the MAcc program about two weeks after graduating. Outside of accounting and school, I referee hockey and inline. The highest league I currently officiate is the WHL. I also enjoy golf, running and pretty much anything else outside or related to sports.

Why did you choose the MAcc program as opposed to the CPA PEP or another accredited university program?

• There are two main reasons that I chose the MAcc program. The first was for work-life balance. I didn't like the idea of having to go to work every day and then attend school on top of that and with officiating hockey being such a big part of my life, I wasn't sure if I would have time to continue doing that. It's also very nice to be able to focus solely on either work or school and not to have to try and juggle both. The other reason I decided to do the MAcc program was the classroom based learning. Covid taught me that I learn way better in a classroom environment as opposed to online, so being able to be taught in person by a professor and the opportunity to meet new people intrigued me.

How has the MAcc helped you in your accounting career thus far, and what skills from the MAcc program are useful at work or in your everyday life?

• So far the MAcc has helped me substantially in my accounting career so far. The technical knowledge I’ve gained from the program has really helped me at work and it’s been great getting to apply topics from school into the real world in the accounting profession. One of the biggest skills the program has taught me is time management. Having to manage my time and prioritize tasks is important in order to succeed in the program and from that I have been able to apply those skills at work and in my everyday life.

How would you describe your overall experience in the MAcc program?

• So far my overall experience in the MAcc program has been fantastic! The professors are all amazing and I have been able to not only learn a ton, but get to know them and draw on their experiences. I have made many friendships and connections with the other students in the program and have been able to learn a lot from them as well. There are many great support systems available and as intensive as the program is, there is still time to be able to enjoy summer a little bit.

As we all know MAcc is a very intensive program, how did you maintain your mental health during those 4 months?

• The MAcc is definitely a lot of work, which makes taking care of yourself extremely important. For me, I’m a pretty active person so I would make sure that every day I would do some sort of physical activity, whether that was running, going to the gym, or even just a long walk. Doing that would allow me to take my mind off school for a little bit and refocus. I would also prioritize spending time with my friends and family to benefit my well being. The social events the program puts on are great for that too.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about pursuing the MAcc program?

• The biggest thing I would recommend would be to do some research and ensure this program and path is right for you and your goals. There is a big financial and time commitment so it would be worth taking the time to make sure that the program is a good fit for you. It would also be good to chat with your employer about your intention to enter the program, as you need to take two summers off, but some firms offer reimbursement for some of the tuition. That being said, the program is amazing and there are lots of great alumni that would be happy to share their experiences and provide additional information, myself included.

What are you hoping to do after the MAcc program?

• After the program I plan on continuing to work in public accounting, hopefully passing the CFE and getting my hours to get my CPA designation. My goal is to work my way up to partner with the firm I am currently with and I also intend on continuing to pursue officiating hockey.