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J.B. Yett, BS’09, MS’10

Yett, his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Caroline. J.B. and Lauren met at UT Dallas.

Audit Manager, Grant Thornton LLP

Yett earned both his undergraduate and master’s degree in accounting from Jindal School, where he was part of the selective Professional Program in Accounting. The PPA offers top accounting students smaller classes along with training in soft skills and access to choice internships. Upon graduation, Yett joined Grant Thornton where his current responsibilities include managing multiple audit engagement teams and client relationships. His role includes ensuring high quality audit execution and distinctive client service. Yett remains connected to Jindal School, coming back to campus to talk with and recruit students.

How your degree has impacted your career?

The accounting profession is an industry that heavily relies on standards, the foundations and concepts of which are rooted in academic preparation. Although there is a lot more to being a good auditor or accountant than knowing GAAP and GAAS, having a solid foundational knowledge that an accounting degree affords you in these areas really prepares you to succeed from a technical perspective.

What is a professional highlight of your career, either where you currently work or in the past?

While my career is still young, being chosen as a career coach by less experienced colleagues is always a wonderful feeling. Helping people through tough times or situations is a rewarding experience, and watching “coachees” succeed and promote to the next level never gets old.

What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?

I met my wonderful wife at UTD. Although we didn’t start dating until after we graduated, looking back on our friendship during school and the time we spent together getting to know one other while at UTD has to be my favorite memory by a longshot.

Did a UT Dallas professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?

I can’t narrow it down to one, but Matt Polze, Amy Troutman and Tiffany Bortz all made lasting impressions on me and took risks on admitting me to the first PPA class. Their support was continuous and genuine, and I continue to be appreciative for their contributions that really helped launch my career.

What advice do you have for college students hoping to succeed professionally?

Don’t forget the fundamentals of a good handshake and a conversation. There are so many ways to connect and even more technologies that have been created to enable that connection, but all of these methods and conveniences can’t replace genuine face-to-face connections and discussions.

What makes an effective leader?

I won’t pretend to always be an effective leader, but having fun is important. People want to be in a fun and supportive environment and they perform better when they are. Even more importantly, be honest. No one has all the answers, so when I don’t know the answer, I say so. Finding the right answer is much more important than having a quick answer.

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Brandy Arbuthnot, BS’99 MS’02

Brandy Arbuthnot, BS’99 MS’02

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In her current position at BDO, Arbuthnot assists accounting clients with their tax compliance and consulting needs including tax returns, tax provision preparation and review, assistance with tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, and other tax planning matters. She joined BDO, an international assurance, tax and financial advisory services firm, after earning her undergraduate accounting degree. Her master’s degree is also in accounting. “My degrees prepared me for a career in public accounting and the necessary qualifications for the CPA exam. Furthermore, my experience at UT Dallas prepared me to have success the professional world,” she said. BDO certainly covers the world, with offices in 167 countries.

Jason Ellison, BS’03 MBA’06

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Kate Reagan, BS’15

Kate Reagan, BS’15

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In Reagan’s role at Texas Capital Bank, she leans on both degrees she earned at Jindal School – a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. “I connect with business leaders in the Dallas community to hear their stories and see if Texas Capital Bank can help them achieve their company’s goals,” she says. “In school, I had no idea how accounting and marketing would fit together and if I could even find a role that would allow me to utilize both my degrees.

David Pate, BS’88

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Pate, a resident of Rowlett, has spent almost all of his professional career in the service of education.

David Wedemeier, BS’02, MBA’05

David Wedemeier, BS’02, MBA’05

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David Wedemeier took a risk and left a management position at Nokia to start his own business. He put his own advice into practice, stepping outside his comfort zone and into a business-development role in a brand new venture. Wedemeier, along with two close friends, co-founded Martin House Brewing Company in Fort Worth. As a new-business owner and entrepreneur, he relies upon the skills and knowledge he accrued while pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Jindal School.

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