Texas State alumna named U.S. Young Tax Professional of the Year

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State University alumna Maria Killian was recently named the Ernst & Young (EY) 2025 U.S. Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY).

Killian, who earned her master’s degree in accountancy from Texas State’s McCoy College of Business in December, represented the U.S. in the first round of the EY YTPY competition, which challenges participants' technical abilities and broader commercial strengths. After winning the local round, she advanced to the global round and is now in the running for global tax professional of the year.

“Maria's recognition by an extremely prominent global CPA firm is a very strong reaffirmation of our program and graduates,” said Dr. Linda Campbell, associate professor of accounting at McCoy College. “Our accounting program is already recognized by employers and peers around the state and nation as being excellent.”

Killian interned with EY in Houston last spring and received a full-time job offer in the company’s tax division. Campbell, one of three tax experts on the college's faculty, said she is thrilled that Killian was recognized in the tax professional category.

“Maria is the perfect example of the top-quality graduates our program 'presents' semester after semester to a very competitive job market,” she said.

The first round of the competition takes place in the participants' country or region where they study or work. Winners of the first round advance to the international competition, where they will have a chance to earn the prestigious EY YTPY designation.

The second round is a two-phased global competition. In the first phase, participants take part virtually in a range of practical, technical, and social activities. A panel of judges, which includes partners of EY member firms, tax authority reps, and senior tax vice presidents from large multinationals, selects the top 10 finalists. Finalists will compete in the second phase of the global competition, a live, in-person final event. ✯