Zachary Costa
Pre-MS Job Title and Company:
Research Assistant at University of Washington; Audit Senior at EY
Post-CBS Goals:
Gain experience in accounting research + intern in industry.
CBS Activities or Clubs:
Green Business Club – VP of Content & Engagement; Cluster Q – VP of Finance; Community Impact Club – VP of Partnerships/AVP of Communications & Marketing; MS Peer Advisor
Favorite NYC Activities:
Trying many of the amazing restaurants the city has to offer!
Fun Fact about yourself:
Prior to attending this program, I had spent my entire life living in Seattle, Washington!
What drew you to pursue a Master of Science degree at Columbia Business School?
After leaving a position as an audit senior to pursue Accounting research, I was interested in pursuing a PhD in accounting. The MSAFA program provided the opportunity to further explore accounting research (particularly in an archival setting) while still building industry skills in case I decided to go that route.
Which courses or professors have had the biggest impact on your learning so far?
My favorite course was Fundamental Analysis for Investors, Managers, and Entrepreneurs (FAIME) with Professor Shiva Rajgopal. This course put a spin on Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models I hadn’t seen before – instead of simply taking accounting information from 10-K’s/Capital IQ, Shiva pushed us to understand what adjustments (if any) may be needed made before inclusion within our analysis. This course provided great direction in where to find alternative information, how to adjust for GAAP reporting items which were not useful for a DCF analysis, and practice documenting my research.
Have you taken electives outside your core MS program? If so, what stood out?
I’ve taken electives in experimental data analysis using R, project finance, and strategy. These courses are a great way to expand your scope of knowledge, learn more about different career paths, and interact with MBA students. There is a ton to explore at CBS, so choose the elective which work best for your interests.
What’s been the most valuable insight or skill you’ve gained from learning at Columbia Business School?
The exposure to accounting research through the program and industry through my internship helped me decide a path in industry would match my life and career goals best. That is undoubtedly my most valuable insight from the program.
What have been some of the most valuable relationships or connections you’ve built through this program?
I have made an amazing group of friends through this program who are my core social group since moving to NYC. I’ve also interacted with many different individuals throughout the classes, clubs, and networking events I’ve attended, including faculty members, employers, and MBAs. Meeting people at Columbia and beyond is one of the best parts of this program.
How has access to Columbia Business School’s resources and alumni network shaped your professional opportunities or mentorship experiences?
The CMC helps students craft strong resumes and sell themselves to potential employers. Recruiting is hard, especially as a non-MBA masters student, so the opportunities provided by the CMC and the school’s job board assist in making connections and gaining opportunities.
What would you tell a prospective student about managing the fast-paced structure of the MS program? Any application tips you would like to share?
The program is fast, but I found work expectations to be reasonable. The biggest challenge is ensuring you allocate time to spend on job applications and networking, so be sure to make space for that in between classes. For courses themselves, participation and attendance are key to success on assignments, so be sure to attend and lean in! The knowledge you gain also helps in speaking during interviews.
For applications tips beyond GPA/test scores, emphasizing your interest in valuation is key. Why are you interested in fundamental analysis, and how have you demonstrated this through your experiences (work, school, or self-driven research)? What do you plan to do with these skills when you graduate? Having strong answers to these questions in both the application essay and interview well help Columbia know this program is a good fit for you.
What has been the most rewarding part of your MS journey so far?
Making it as a finalist for the Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge Case Competition was an amazing opportunity and accomplishment. Beyond getting to present to Morgan Stanley and industry experts in London, it also gave me hands-on experience in impact investing, project finance, and out-of-the-box solutions which can drive financial and social value. I also met incredible people on this trip, and highly enjoyed this experience.
Post-MS career interests?
Currently, I’m working as a a Revenue Operations Accountant at Airbnb, and I love it! The job combines combines accounting and reporting with data analysis and transaction sampling. Plus, I get to work with some amazing people.! Prior to coming to the MS, I was planning to use this degree to pursue a PhD. However, my summer internship at Airbnb helped highlight that this path was better suited for my interests. Getting to explore different opportunities is one of the best parts of the MSAFA program.