Former music composer Mari Funabashi pursues ASU master’s degree in taxation to pivot career

Mari Funabashi (MTax '25) previously worked as a film composer in London. She knew she wanted to undertake a career change, and a side job revealed a passion for accounting and taxation. She was able to pursue her MTax degree at W. P. Carey thanks to the MACC/MTax Bootcamp, designed to prepare students from non-accounting backgrounds for the program.

Students come to ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business from a multitude of backgrounds to further their education and transform their careers. W. P. Carey specialized master's degrees provide technical skills and knowledge to help graduates compete and lead in a variety of in-demand business fields.

Mari Funabashi (MTax '25) previously worked as a film composer in London after receiving her master's degree in music. She knew she wanted to undertake a career change, and a side job doing bookkeeping revealed a passion for accounting and taxation.

"My history with ASU spans over two decades, having been a guitar and piano student at the Herberger Institute from around 2004, to spending my childhood summers at the ASU Programs for Talented Youth, and now coming back as a 29-year-old for my Master of Taxation," she says.

Funabashi was able to pursue her Master of Taxation and Data Analytics (MTax) degree thanks to the W. P. Carey School of Accountancy's MACC/MTax Bootcamp — a series of courses designed to prepare students from non-accounting backgrounds to excel in their studies.

The W. P. Carey School spoke with Funabashi about her transition from music to taxation, why she chose ASU, and how the MTax program is preparing her for a new career path.

Why W. P. Carey?

As an Arizona native, Funabashi was very familiar with ASU. So when she decided to embark on a new career path in the tax industry, coming to W. P. Carey for the MTax program made the most sense to her.

“After having studied music for over 25 years, I realized that I wanted to go back to business school to pursue accountancy, specifically specializing in taxation," she says.

As someone without an accounting background, the ability to level up her knowledge and skills before starting the MTax degree was significant to Funabashi. "I think this is particularly what makes W. P. Carey such a great choice for those coming from similar backgrounds," she says.

In addition to the MACC/MTax Bootcamp that Funabashi participated in, the School of Accountancy offers a separate Pathway Program for prospective applicants with different experience and needs.

Funabashi has benefited from the support of her MTax classmates — whom she refers to as a "small, tight-knit group" of friends — and the experienced and knowledgeable faculty members who design and deliver the program’s curriculum.

"I’m extraordinarily grateful that we’re able to learn from such accomplished and successful people from the tax industry," she says. "It’s incredibly meaningful to me to be able to have access to such kind, generous, and wickedly smart people who are willing to give me so much of their time, expertise, and advice."

Why taxation?

Funabashi's first foray into the world of taxation and accounting was a bit by chance. "I was working in London after having moved to the UK for my master's in music, and one of the odd jobs I did to support myself was doing bookkeeping for a small bike company," she says.

Finding accountancy was a serendipitous moment that completely changed the trajectory of Funabashi’s adult life. "I was always one of those weirdos who loved to do their taxes, and I think living in the United Kingdom for 6 years made me aware of the distinct differences between the IRS and the HMRC, which piqued my curiosity," she says.

Her interest in the industry and its impact on society has grown alongside her knowledge of accounting, taxation, and data analytics in the master’s program.

"As a child of immigrants, I find that learning the IRC [Internal Revenue Code] makes me feel closer to understanding the legal fabric of this country, and in a strange way that perhaps only makes sense to me, it gives me a sense of belonging to America that I hadn’t felt before," Funabashi says. "Or perhaps I’m feeling this particularly keenly after having spent so long as an expat in the UK!"

What's next?

Funabashi has already lined up a job after her graduation from the MTax program, through a recruiting event hosted by the W. P. Carey Career Services Center. She will be joining the accounting firm KPMG as an international tax associate.

"Being completely new to the world of corporate America and anything business-related, it was incredibly daunting in the fall to start applying and interviewing for positions, especially at institutions like the Big 4," she says. "I felt bolstered by the W. P. Carey Career Services Center team whom I met at orientation, and their support and advice was a lifeline throughout the entire process."

The support that Funabashi has received while a part of the MTax program, from W. P. Carey staff and faculty, is something she values highly and recommends anyone considering the program to take advantage of.

"My best advice would be to really make the most of the amazing professors we have here," she says. "I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been able to have lengthy conversations about career trajectories, clarifying specific tax laws, and even just general concerns about the industry."