College of Business: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bonnie Andreas
Manager, International Tax
Deloitte
Class of 2006

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s MS Tax Program has been a challenging yet exciting program. I have learned from experienced tax professionals real life examples and cases in Corporate and Partnership tax law. There are 5 groups of 4 in our class consisting of both corporate and public accountants. We’ve had the opportunity to work on many projects and presentations together which enhanced our presentation and teaming skills in addition to our technical knowledge. The University has been very receptive to catering to the needs of the working Tax Professional. The MS Tax Program has already enriched my professional skills and made me a better Tax Accountant.

James E. Bodtke, CPA, CEBS
Founding partner of Bodtke & Stewart, CPA’s
Class of 2006

The MS Tax Program at ILLINOIS was just the mid-career tune-up I needed. With so much change in the tax field lately it was important to catch up. The executive style of this program made it possible for me to do it all and still manage a busy practice. The Chicago campus is conveniently located next to Union Station, which made for an easy train trip to class from downstate Illinois. The faculty members were outstanding and the staff took great care to ensure we could focus on class work instead of the mundane details that are part of most graduate programs. I especially enjoyed my interaction with the broad crosssection of top-notch students from Chicago and the surrounding areas.

Edward J. Devine
Director-Taxation
Kohler Company
Class 2006

The MS Tax Program has provided me with the tools necessary to become an effective business partner with our business unit executives. I have not only enhanced and mastered the conceptual framework of tax strategy, but in addition, I have obtained a solid understanding of how economics impact tax strategy and how tax strategy can impact financial reporting. This is so critical. To creatively and effectively develop tax strategies with business executives, you must be cognizant of the economic theory and pressures that impact the economy and your industry as well as the financial reporting ramifications of your strategies. ILLINOIS helped me to gain much more than a master’s degree in taxation; they helped me to be a better tax professional.

Kristen Kowalski
Senior Manager
Deloitte
Class 2006

Participating in the University of Illinois MS Tax Program has advanced both my individual and corporate tax-technical skills and I’ve become better equipped to assist my clients in addressing their tax issues. The topics covered and experiences shared by the instructors and the other students in the classroom directly correlate to issues I see my clients facing on a daily basis. I want my clients to view me as their trusted business advisor—and partner—as they manage their global workforce. The knowledge I’ve gained from the ILLINOIS MS Tax program has enabled me to become a stronger partner for my clients—better prepared to assist them in aligning their business objectives with their day-to-day policies and practices.

Jennifer Wyatt
Senior Associate
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Class 2006

The hardest thing about going back to school is balancing full-time work with full-time classes, which is why this executive-style program really works for me. I need a master’s degree in tax to advance in my firm and the accelerated program makes it possible to meet all my obligations. By building on work experiences, I am able to comprehend the more complex issues and instantly apply what I learn in class. For example, the Partnership Income Taxation course has covered complicated topics that I am currently addressing for a couple of my clients. This is just one of the ways the ILLINOIS program is helping me become a stronger professional.