Accounting alumnus Tate Dale credits graduate education, faculty relationships for professional growth

After earning a bachelor's degree, graduates have many options in front of them. Some may choose to enter the workforce right away. Others, like W. P. Carey alum Tate Dale (BS Accountancy '23, MACC '24), instead choose to continue their education and gain deeper knowledge in a targeted field.

After earning a bachelor's degree, graduates have many options in front of them. Some may choose to enter the workforce right away. Others, like W. P. Carey alum Tate Dale (BS Accountancy '23, MACC '24), instead choose to continue their education and gain deeper knowledge in a targeted field.

"For me, it was the ease and convenience to go from an undergraduate to a graduate degree," Tate says. "I love ASU and the atmosphere of learning and collaboration that it provided, and so I took advantage of the opportunity."

Tate spoke with the W. P. Carey School of Business about his choice to pursue the Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MACC) program and how it applies to his current career as an audit associate for Deloitte.

Why W. P. Carey?

As an undergraduate alum of W. P. Carey, Tate was familiar with the tight-knit community and personal touch the school is known for, and was looking forward to more of the same during his one-year MACC experience. He was pleasantly surprised at how much he was able to personally connect with the School of Accountancy faculty as a master’s student.

"I still communicate with, interact with, and thrive off of the relationships built with the faculty that have allowed me to grow individually and professionally," Tate says. "They put me in the best position to achieve what I want to achieve."

He credits the relationships he was able to form with faculty members, as well as his fellow students, with helping him get to where he wanted to be in the program and after graduation.

"My career isn’t about money, fame, accolades, or anything to that magnitude," Tate says. "My goal is simple. I want to provide a comfortable, happy life for my family."

When asked why students should consider W. P. Carey for their business education, he used the words "convenient, prestigious, and opportunity."

Why accounting?

Tate graduated from W. P. Carey with a bachelor's degree in accountancy but knew he wanted to further his understanding of the subject before beginning his career.

The MACC program combines traditional accounting principles with the latest technologies and methodologies to prepare graduates for a successful career in this ever-evolving industry. It features courses in analytics, fraud prevention, and auditing, among other subjects.

Faculty are experts in their fields and are enthusiastic about helping students succeed, something Tate experienced firsthand. "During my master’s degree, the faculty seemed to have a genuine interest in who I was, what I want with my life, and how they could help me get to where I want to be." This investment from professors encouraged him to continue with the program and with accounting as a career.

Tate wants to use the skills and knowledge he's acquired to make a positive impact on the world and the people around him. "I want those I come in contact with to want to be the best version of themselves," he says. "However this may present itself is what I want."

What's next?

Tate greatly encourages current and future students to consider pursuing a W. P. Carey graduate degree to further their lives and careers, while expanding their professional networks and knowledge.

"Graduate business degrees truly open a world of opportunity," he says. "Faculty have more time and resources to be invested in you personally. The value isn’t just the degree. It also comes with connections that will help you now, and almost 100 percent guaranteed to help in the future as well."