Gonzaga MAcc Students Earn Prestigious FASB Honors

Gonzaga University is proud to announce that not one, but two Master of Accountancy (MAcc) students have been accepted into a highly competitive postgraduate accounting program. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Postgraduate Technical Assistant program typically accepts six to seven students nationwide for each of its cohorts. In other words, only 12-14 students from across the country receive this opportunity every year.

When Isabella Lee received the call, she didn’t quite believe it. The date was April 1, which made the moment feel even more surreal.

“I had to make sure it wasn’t some crazy April Fool’s Day prank,” she recalled.

At the same time Noah Rodgers was experiencing a similar disbelief. After years of imagining a career in Seattle, the idea of moving to Norwalk, Connecticut, to work with FASB felt almost unreal.

Rodgers, a Woodinville, Washington native, initially saw the MAcc program as a practical next step.

“What initially drew me to the MAcc program at Gonzaga was to fulfill the CPA 150 credit requirements, while giving me time to complete my CPA exams,” he said. “Little did I know that this program would change my entire career with a new first job.”

Along the way, he discovered a passion he hadn’t anticipated. An accounting theory course opened his eyes to the world of standard-setting. “It is truly a mind-blowing thought to think I will now be joining them,” he said.

Lee’s path to accounting followed a different route. Originally a finance major, she found herself increasingly drawn to the foundations of financial reporting.

“I started becoming more interested in the assumptions baked into financial information, rather than the finance side of projecting it forward,” she said. Encouraged by conversations with faculty, she pursued the MAcc program to explore those questions more deeply.

The application process itself was as demanding as it was selective. Rodgers described a grueling interview stage consisting of six consecutive 30-minute sessions.

“I prepared heavily… learning about the FASB’s current projects, their processes for establishing new guidance, and who I would be interviewed by,” he said. Despite the pressure, he focused on maintaining a positive mindset. “My approach for the interview was to have fun with it… showing that I am excited to be there.”

For Lee, the challenge was as much internal as it was logistical. Alongside balancing coursework and preparation, she grappled with self-doubt.

“The most challenging part of the process was convincing myself that I was deserving of the opportunity,” she said. “Battling the imposter syndrome… proved the most difficult.”

Ultimately, leaning on the encouragement of professors and peers helped her push through.

Both students explained that encouragement from Gonzaga faculty played a defining role in their journey. Rodgers credits much of his success to professors who went beyond the classroom. Cathy DeHart’s introductory course first sparked his interest in accounting, while her guidance on his application essay proved invaluable. He also pointed to the influence of Andrew Brajcich and Casey McNellis, whose enthusiasm and dedication left a lasting impression.

“Every day… he shows up to class ecstatic to teach and to help,” Rodgers said of McNellis. “This energy made me and many of my classmates enjoy and thrive in his classes.”

Lee echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the accessibility and engagement of Gonzaga’s faculty.

“I could not be more grateful… allowing me to talk their ears off about all things accounting,” she said.

For McNellis, their success comes as no surprise.

“Noah and Isabella successfully navigated a very intensive application and interview process. The results speak volumes,” he said. “To be selected for the PTA opportunity is quite the accomplishment. The fact that two of the spots will be filled by graduates of our accounting program at GU is phenomenal.” He noted Lee’s intellectual curiosity and Rodgers’ optimism as distinguishing traits.

As they look ahead to their roles with the FASB, both students carry with them lessons they hope to pass on. Rodgers emphasizes effort and openness to opportunity. “Through high effort, many opportunities that you never knew existed will show up,” he said.

Lee stresses the importance of mastering fundamentals. “Being confident in your fundamentals is a skill that will always prove more useful than mechanical memorization,” she said.

For Gonzaga University, their achievement is more than a milestone but a reflection of a program that prepares students not just to enter their profession, but to shape its future.