For Kitty Reddy ’25, accounting isn’t just about numbers – it’s about purpose.
When Kitty arrived at the Lacy School of Business from Peoria, Illinois, she wasn’t simply searching for a degree. She was looking for a place that would prepare her for the rigor of the CPA exams while helping her build a career aligned with the kind of impact she wanted to have. She found that foundation – and more – in Lacy’s Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program.
“I knew I wanted to be fully prepared for the CPA exams,” Kitty says. “And this program really focuses on understanding, not just memorizing.”
That distinction matters. Designed intentionally around CPA exam content and outcomes, the MPAcc program doesn’t just help students pass exams; it helps them think like professionals. With a 100% placement rate, the program equips students with technical expertise, confidence, and momentum to move seamlessly into meaningful careers.
Kitty’s journey toward accounting began as an undergraduate at LSB, where she enrolled in 2021 and quickly discovered both a passion for the field and a community that supported her growth. Immersed in a curriculum that challenged her to think critically and apply concepts in real-world ways, she built a strong academic foundation while engaging deeply on campus as a member of Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Kappa Psi, and the Lacy Business Scholars program.
As graduation approached in May 2025, Kitty reflected on the environment that had shaped her so profoundly. Rather than looking elsewhere for graduate school, she made the decision to continue her education at Butler, beginning the MPAcc program in August 2025.
“It felt like the natural next step,” she shares. “I already knew the faculty, the expectations, and the culture. I wanted to keep learning in a place where I felt both supported and challenged.”
But Kitty’s professional direction was shaped by more than coursework alone. After witnessing her father undergo multiple surgeries and losing a cousin to leukemia, she felt a strong pull toward the healthcare field – not as a provider, but as someone who could make a difference behind the scenes.
“I knew I wasn’t meant to be on the clinical side,” she says. “But I still wanted to make a difference in that space.”
That realization led her to pair accounting with a minor in healthcare management, combining analytical skills with compassion and purpose. Her goal became clear: to work in healthcare accounting, supporting hospitals and healthcare systems through thoughtful tax planning and financial strategy.
“I want to contribute in a way that still impacts people’s lives,” she says.
At the Lacy School of Business, Kitty found more than academic preparation, she found a community invested in her success. Small class sizes allowed faculty to truly know her as a learner, offering mentorship that went beyond the classroom and helping her refine her goals with clarity and confidence.
“The people here want you to succeed,” Kitty says. “You’re not just another student; you’re someone they’re investing in.”
That environment has shaped not only her technical abilities, but her belief in herself.
“Looking back, I’ve grown so much,” she reflects. “Not just in what I know, but in how I approach challenges and think about my future.”
Through internships and Butler’s Meet the Firms career fair, Kitty explored a range of possibilities within accounting – from healthcare-focused firms to public tax – gaining firsthand exposure to different paths within the profession. Those experiences culminated in securing a full-time position as a Tax Associate at Crowe, where she will begin her career after completing her graduate studies and CPA exams.
Even now, as she balances MPAcc coursework, a part-time role with Butler’s Advancement Center, and studying for the CPA exams, Kitty is seeing the value of her education in real time.
“As I’ve started studying, I’ve realized how much of the material we’ve already covered,” she says. “I feel more prepared than I would have otherwise.”
That preparation is intentional, and at the heart of the MPAcc program. By emphasizing understanding over memorization and application over theory alone, the curriculum prepares students not just for exams, but for long-term success in the profession.
Some moments along that journey, however, extend beyond academics.
During a study abroad experience in Ireland, where Kitty and her classmates examined international tax systems and global business practices, she experienced a personal milestone that made the experience even more meaningful: she got engaged. Her fiancé, John Cunningham, is also a graduate student at Lacy, underscoring just how deeply connected the community becomes.
“What made it so special was being able to share that moment in a place that was already such a big part of my growth,” Kitty says. “It felt like everything came full circle.”
The experience expanded her perspective on global accounting and international career possibilities, while also strengthening the relationships that define the Lacy experience – with classmates, faculty, and her future.
“At Lacy, you grow academically, professionally, and personally,” she says. “That experience showed me all of that at once.”
At its core, Kitty’s story is one of intention. She’s not simply earning a master’s degree – she’s building a career that reflects who she is, what she’s experienced, and the impact she hopes to make.
Her advice for students considering the MPAcc program?
“Take advantage of every opportunity,” she says. “There are so many paths in accounting. The more you explore, the more confident you’ll feel in where you’re going.”
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