Starting My Career: Tracy Tuong, Accountancy Alumna

Tracy Tuong

Like many high school graduates, San Diego native, Tracy Tuong, wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to pursue or even where she hoped to attend college. In order to stay close to home, she made the decision to attend the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University. 

While she was a student at the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy, Tuong worked at a number of part-time jobs that provided her with both interpersonal and time management skills she found essential as she began her career search. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BMACC accounting degree in May 2020, she accepted a position with the San Diego office of EY (formerly Ernst and Young) as a tax specialist. 

Q: Why did you choose to major in accounting? 

I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and my dad suggested that I try accounting, since I’m good at math and it’s a stable job. As I have learned, accounting is nothing like math, but I ended up picking it up very quickly and doing well regardless!

Q: What prompted you to become a CPA?
The path I was on simply led me there. I had absolutely no clue what I was supposed to do after graduation, but as soon as I took ACCTG 331, I was introduced to all of the student organizations and it just seemed like the way to go. I figured, “what’s the point of this degree if I don’t do everything that I possibly can with it?”

Q: You held positions at Chick-fil-a, Starbucks and as a bartender. Did you learn anything from working at those jobs that helped to prepare you for your current position? 

Name: Tracy Tuong

Current Position: Tax Specialist, EY

Major: Accountancy-BMACC (BSBA/MS)

Graduation Year: 2020

Through all of my customer service jobs, I learned how to interact and make connections with others. Those positions helped prepare me for a business world full of networking and relationships, as well as working in teams and cooperating with others — one of the most important skills, in my opinion. Additionally, holding these jobs while attending school full-time as a commuter helped to prepare me by teaching me time management. In one of my first interviews for EY, the partner and I calculated about how many hours a week I spent working, in school, and doing schoolwork. When the total came out to about 60-80 hours per week, we decided that I was prepared for the workload I would be facing once I began working there full-time. 

Q: Why did you choose to work at EY?

I chose to work at EY because I felt the most comfortable and connected with the people I met from the firm. No matter where you go, especially in Big Four, the work will be the same and what truly matters is that you enjoy working with the people there. If you don’t, you will be miserable. If you do, you’ll love coming to work and build a really great relationship with those you spend half of your life with!

Tracy Tuong earned her BMACC degree from SDSU in May 2020.

Q: How did you prepare for your first interview with EY? 

In order to prepare for my interview with EY, I made sure to prioritize my interviews. I knew that I was going to be extra nervous for EY, so I tried to make sure my other interviews were first. This helped me get a sense of what they were looking for, and also, if I were to mess up, I knew what to fix for next time. It also helped ease my nerves when I knew I had already made it through an interview. I tried not to rehearse any questions so that I didn’t sound like a robot, but it also helped to have some stories in the back of my head as examples of when I have done well in school or work situations.

Q: What were some of the factors that led to your successful interview process (and ultimately getting the offer)?

I believe my work experience, time management skills, grades, and bubbly personality led to my successful interview and offer.

Q: What advice would you offer today's SDSU students who are hoping to work at one of the Big Four accounting firms? 
I would advise today’s SDSU students to take advantage of the opportunities and resources offered at school, including the accounting societies and clubs, on-campus interviews, and professors! The professors have the experience and, most likely, have gone through exactly what you are, and it never hurts to hear someone else’s experience. Additionally, remember that grades aren’t everything! Social skills are just as important as grades. Don’t be afraid to be authentic during recruiting!