Artaya Darlana

UC Berkeley, Class of 2026

Major: Economics, Sustainable Business and Policy
Email: [email protected]

Participating in the Berkeley Charter of Professional Accountancy (BCPA) program has truly been one of the best decisions I have made so far in my undergraduate years. The program’s curriculum provided me with the essential financial knowledge and technical skills that go beyond what my major offers, equipping me for any career path that I end up choosing. Beyond the classroom, BCPA offers numerous invaluable opportunities such as networking with industry leaders, engaging with campus recruiters, and participating in office tours of top global firms. In addition, the program allowed me to connect with supportive peers and learn from inspiring (and truly very caring!) professors who deepened my understanding of the field. The confidence and job security I’ve gained through this program are unmatched, and I really hope more students can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!

Celine Hidayat

UC Berkeley, Class of 2026

Major: Economics and Data Science
Email: [email protected]

During my first summer here, I heard about the BCPA program from a friend and decided to apply. I’m really glad I did. The program has not only allowed me to explore my interest in accounting but also set me on the path to CPA eligibility through its targeted courses. The professors in the program are incredibly experienced and passionate about your success, always willing to help and support you on your journey. Beyond the coursework, what sets BCPA apart are the invaluable networking sessions with top accounting firms, which provide a significant edge during recruiting. I’ve loved the experience so much that I’ve come back for a second year. I’m so grateful to have found a community within the BCPA program. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to learn more about my experience with the BCPA program!

Eric Kim

UC Berkeley, Class of 2025

Major: Economics
Email: [email protected]

My interest in accounting started early on, and it’s what led me to the Berkeley Charter of Professional Accountancy (BCPA) program. I’ve been fortunate enough to complete both the introductory and advanced courses, which earned me the 30 accounting credits needed to sit for the CPA Exam.

What I really love about the BCPA program isn’t just the challenging coursework—it’s the real-world exposure to the accounting industry. The classes are taught by professors who bring their own professional experiences into the lessons, which makes everything feel relevant and practical. The small class sizes also helped create a tight-knit environment, where I felt more comfortable asking questions and collaborating with my peers.

One of the highlights for me has been the networking opportunities. Thanks to the BCPA program, I’ve been able to attend networking events and office visits that have connected me with top professionals and firms in the accounting field. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of what the industry is really like, and they’ve opened doors to internships and future job opportunities. I’ve also had the chance to build relationships with mentors who have been generous in offering advice and guidance.

The BCPA program has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and the knowledge I’ve gained along the way. If you’re thinking about pursuing accounting or just want to know more about what BCPA offers, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be more than happy to share my experience and answer any questions you might have!

Olivia Kurtz

UC Berkeley, Class of 2025

Major: Political Economy
Email: [email protected]

I participated in the Berkeley Charter of Professional Accountancy (BCPA) Program in the summer of 2024, earning the accounting credits needed to become CPA eligible. My experience in the program allowed me to explore accounting principles in a highly supportive academic environment and connect with professionals in the field. It also gave me the opportunity to view the concepts learned in my major courses through an accounting lens, enriching my understanding of how financial principles apply to global economic systems. I found the program to be a perfect fit for my academic goals and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring accounting as a career path! Please reach out to me if you have any questions or would like some insight into what my experience was like in the program!

Gael Lee

UC Berkeley, Class of 2027

Major: Economics
Email: [email protected]

Joining the Berkeley Charter of Professional Accountancy (BCPA) was an incredibly immersive and rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to engage with professionals in the field (both seasoned experts and newly certified accountants) gaining valuable insights into their career paths. Hearing their experiences not only deepened my understanding of the profession but also solidified my passion for accounting.The program also gave me first hand exposure to different company cultures through office visits, allowing me to envision what a career in accounting would look like. I learned extensively about audit and tax professionals, gaining a clearer perspective on their day-to-day responsibilities. Additionally, my professors were exceptionally passionate and knowledgeable, making the learning experience even more enriching. Their real-world expertise and guidance made the BCPA program truly worthwhile, providing me with both technical knowledge and professional insight that will be invaluable in my career. Most importantly, I’m happy I found a space where other people are passionate about accounting. It made my career path in accounting less daunting since I’ve found friends who are going down the same route as me.

Danny Panina

UC Berkeley, Class of 2026

Major: Economics
Email: [email protected]

Even though Berkeley does not offer a formal accounting major, the BCPA program allows students to supplement their respective undergraduate education with accounting courses offered by the Haas Business School to allow them to become successful accounting practitioners. Coming into my undergraduate education, I had a multitude of degree paths that I wanted to pursue and the BCPA program allowed me to simultaneously explore my academic interests and receive a top-notch education in accounting. My favorite part of the program is probably interacting with professors who have had successful careers in public accounting or the site visits of Bay Area accounting firms. The professors are able to utilize their experience to transcend the traditional textbooks to offer a hands-on experience that mimics work done in the accounting field. This transcendence helps me to have a comprehensive understanding of accounting topics and apply that knowledge to my own career. The program gives the opportunity to interact with accounting firms in the Bay Area by offering field trips to their campuses in San Francisco, which further helps connect the classroom to the professional world. Participation in the program will open doors that you didn’t know existed and help cement a prosperous career in accounting.

Andrea Monique Castillo Vergara

UC Berkeley, Class of 2026

Major: Business Administration
Email: [email protected]

My mom discovering the BCPA program right before applications were due, scrambling to get mine in last minute, and meeting with Fani was such a sudden event that I would never take back. If it weren’t for the BCPA program, I wouldn’t have even discovered my interest in accounting, landed spots in clubs I wouldn’t have last year if it weren’t for my newfound experience, or even been a student assistant for Fani at CFRM writing this message on WordPress right now! Having the opportunity to experience the BCPA program allowed me to solidify my next foundational step toward my career. I got ahold of engaging professors who were just as passionate as I was about accounting. This really honed my skills down to not only a technical level but also a professional level as the experience that the professors held was reflected during their instruction. Not only was I surrounded by wonderful and talented individuals, I got to participate in engaging networking events that truly opened the door to opportunities that I intend to explore during my time here at Berkeley. Being able to gain that early advantage while building on those professional skills with others who are just as driven as you were my highlights from the BCPA program.
Accounting went from an interest to a passion as time went on and I’d love to talk about this experience so feel free to connect!

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