Hamza Warraich, MSc in Management student, is on his third degree - with no plans of stopping! We talk to Hamza about his research, his daily life (it's busy!) and his passion for accounting.
I initially wanted to obtain an accounting designation, and so I came to Brock because the MAcc program was CGA accredited at the time (the program is now accredited by CPA). It was during the MAcc program that I was first introduced to accounting research, as some of the professors incorporated academic papers into their course curriculum. It was my Corporate Governance class in particular that sparked my curiosity and I believe that class played a critical role in my decision to pursue a career in academia. Upon expressing my desire to pursue a research career, many of my professors encouraged me to apply to PhD programs. However, I felt that I was not yet ready for a PhD and so I decided that I would first pursue the Master of Science in Management degree.
Now that I am in the MSc program, I am glad that I chose this route, as the MSc has given me extensive insight into the various areas and methodologies in accounting research. This experience has allowed me to focus my research interests and determine what specific areas of accounting research I am most interested in.
Can you tell us more about your research?
My research interests are in the areas of financial regulation and corporate taxation. Initially, I was interested in exploring the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – a financial reform that was introduced in response to the recent financial crisis in the U.S. My research in particular looks into the new regulation that the Dodd-Frank introduced for banks and credit ratings agencies. The goal of my research is to assess whether this new regulation is effective in reducing systemic risk, which is the risk that the failure of one institution could have a domino effect and result in the failure of other interconnected institutions, as was witnessed during the credit crisis.
Recently, I have also found interest in the area of taxation. I am currently in the process of refining a research idea that looks into the effects of corporate tax avoidance on various stakeholders.
What is a typical day like for a MSc student?
One of my favourite aspects about the MSc program is that there really is no typical day. At any given time, there are multiple tasks that need to be completed, anything from marking to completing course work to generating new research ideas. I typically spend 10 -14 hours every day on campus (including weekends). I use this time to not only complete the requirements for my degree, but to also utilize the vast amount of resources that Goodman provides to graduate students. As an MSc student, I devote extensive time to learning how to effectively use various databases and softwares, as these tools are essential to being a good researcher. I also devote significant time to reading academic papers, as this allows me to keep up to date on the latest contributions in my research areas. The MSc is a unique degree in that you have considerable discretion as to how much time you put in. Research is my passion and I enjoy learning, and so for me putting in the long hours is not such a big deal.
How do you show your #GoodmanSpirit?
I show my #GoodmanSpirit by representing Goodman wherever I go, whether I am visiting another university or just out with friends. The most common question I am asked when I meet people is why I chose to do a second master’s degree, and why I chose to do it at Brock. I have answered the first question above, and as for the second one, well, I say that I am proud to be a member of Goodman. It was at Goodman that I discovered my passion for research and realized the direction that I wanted my life to go in. I appreciate the abundance of opportunities the Goodman School of Business has provided for me, and I am grateful to the many professors here who have provided tremendous support and encouragement.
