Walk through the finance and accounting departments of Las Vegas’s leading organizations and you’ll find UNLV graduates in every major service line. Alumni have built careers at the Big 4 public accounting firms — Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC — as well as in corporate roles at companies like MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts. Graduates also excel in internal audit, data analytics, government agencies, and entrepreneurial ventures, reflecting the breadth of opportunities available through a UNLV accounting education.

Their success reflects the program’s focus on practical experience and professional readiness. UNLV's Lee Business School is AACSB accredited, a distinction held by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide. The Department of Accounting at UNLV is separately accredited by the AACSB, ranking it among the top 2% of programs in the world with dual accreditation. That quality has led to a 90% placement rate for its graduates.  

Still, every prospective student ultimately asks the same question: What will I really get out of this investment? Return on investment (ROI) is often defined as what you gain compared to what you spend — yet for our accounting graduates, the return extends far beyond financial measures. It also reflects a return on impact, the influence our alumni have as they advance in their careers and strengthen the organizations they serve.

Here are five alumni who tell us what the ROI is for them.

Edward Garcia, Senior Manager at Deloitte and FASB Practice Fellow

’11 BSBA Accounting

Edward Garcia’s defining ROI moment came when he was selected for a prestigious fellowship with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

“Starting in Deloitte’s audit and assurance practice, advancing to the national office, and now serving as a FASB fellow — it was at that point I realized my degree wasn’t just helping me get ahead. It was positioning me to directly shape the accounting industry,” he said.

His career has taken him from Las Vegas to Chicago and now Connecticut, each step supported by the foundation of his UNLV accounting degree and the people, mentorship, and professional confidence that came with it.

Nick Pannucci, Chief Accounting Officer at Wynn Resorts

’06 BSBA, Accounting

Marine Corps veteran Nick Pannucci landed a role with Ernst & Young immediately after graduation, setting him on a path toward leadership roles across the hospitality industry. He’s now chief accounting officer at Wynn Resorts.

“The ROI of my degree from UNLV provided me with versatile skills in a high-demand industry with high earning potential,” he said.

Pannucci credits both technical accounting courses and liberal arts requirements, such as logic and communication, for helping him develop the analytical and leadership skills essential to his career.

Jackie Matthew, CEO and Managing Principal of HRC

’09 BSBA Accounting

Nontraditional student Jackie Matthew chose UNLV while already established in Las Vegas. Her return on investment came in the form of financial freedom, professional independence, and the confidence to succeed.

“Walking through the grocery store one day, I realized I could buy anything I wanted without worrying about the price. As a former SNAP recipient, that was tangible recognition of the financial freedom my degree gave me,” she said.

Today she is CEO of HRC, an accounting and consulting firm specializing in nonprofit. Matthew calls her degree “absolutely life changing” and reminds prospective students that accounting opens doors to careers in public firms, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurship.

Rick Arpin, U.S. Gaming Leader and Office Managing Partner at KPMG

’95 BSBA Accounting

Rick Arpin describes his return as a career built on a solid foundation. Starting out as an auditor, he quickly found himself engaging with clients with the confidence and credibility his UNLV education provided.

“I owe much of my professional network to UNLV and the jobs I had early on with my degree and CPA,” he said, adding that he knew his degree had paid off “when I was able to feel like I was having a ‘peer’ conversation with clients as a relatively new auditor in public accounting.”

Now leading KPMG’s U.S. gaming practice and serving as Las Vegas office managing partner, Arpin emphasizes that accounting skills are versatile, strategic, and valuable in every setting.

Nelly Anaya, Vice President of Internal Audit at MGM Resorts International

'07 BSBA Accounting

Nelly Anaya’s return on investment meant growing into leadership while staying connected to the community that launched her career. She started as an intern at MGM Resorts and used both her technical skills and faculty connections to rise to vice president of internal audit.

“My accounting degree gave me confidence, leadership [experience], and fulfillment. The relationships I built at UNLV shaped my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” she said.

Her advice to future students is simple: “Your investment in education will pay dividends, but you have to work hard and stay committed to your goals.”

Learn more about UNLV accounting programs on the UNLV website.