The Master’s Marathon: How Alex Baron Balanced Work, School, and Success

For Alex Baron, pursuing a master’s degree was about more than continuing her education—it was a chance to invest in her future and grow her career at BryMar in an exciting, meaningful way. Having already passed the CPA exam, she was looking for a new challenge that felt both rewarding and relevant to the work she does every day. She wanted a program that would help her build specialized expertise in an area that truly interested her and strengthen the impact she could make professionally. 

That search led her to West Virginia University’s online Master program in Forensic and Fraud Examination. Through the program, Alex was able to explore forensic accounting and fraud investigation in greater depth, strengthening an interest that continued to grow throughout the experience. 

The Balancing Act of Work and School 

Balancing a full-time job with graduate school is no small feat, and Alex quickly learned what that reality looked like week after week. Over the course of two years, she completed 30 units across 10 classes—all while maintaining Senior Audit responsibilities at work. Evenings were often spent tackling assignments, while weekends were reserved for bigger projects, connecting with classmates, and studying.

The workload could vary dramatically depending on the course. Some classes required around 10–15 hours of work each week, while others demanded closer to 30 hours. During busy season, that meant finishing a long day at work and then diving straight into coursework.

One of the biggest challenges was simply keeping up with the reading. Many classes assigned three to four chapters per week, each ranging from 20 to 30 pages. To stay on top of it all, Alex developed a strategy of transcribing the material as she went—helping her process information more efficiently. 

Discipline, Routine, and a Lot of Determination

Alex didn’t rely on complicated productivity systems or flashy organization tools to stay on track. Her approach was refreshingly straightforward: use the calendar, map out deadlines, and stick to a routine. Before long, her days developed a steady rhythm—run, work, study, repeat. 

That consistency helped her manage the workload, but it also required making sacrifices along the way. Friends and family understood the commitment she had made and supported her throughout the journey. Support from BryMar also played a major role. Alex says encouragement from leadership and coworkers made it much easier to pursue the program.

When the program required residency sessions—where students presented projects in front of other groups—the firm supported her in taking time off to attend. Having that kind of support made a big difference.

Classmates Turned Close Friends 

One of the biggest surprises of the program had nothing to do with coursework—it was the friendships that came out of it. Because the program was fully online, Alex initially expected a fairly independent experience. Instead, early group projects introduced her to classmates she quickly connected with.

Despite living all over the country, the group became close while working together throughout the program. One friend lives in San Francisco, another in Utah, and another on the East Coast. Even though they’ve never met in person, they still keep in touch today.

For Alex, those friendships became one of the most unexpected and rewarding parts of the experience. 

Discovering a Fascination with Fraud

As the program progressed, Alex realized something surprising about herself—she found fraud examination incredibly interesting. Like most accountants, she had heard about major scandals such as Enron and WorldCom. But those stories only scratched the surface.

Through the program, she explored the many ways fraud can occur and how investigators uncover it. The deeper she went into the subject, the more fascinating it became. Each case study revealed new tactics, new patterns, and new ways investigators piece together what really happened.

By the time she finished the program, fraud examination had transformed from a casual interest into a genuine professional passion. Even better, Alex also earned her Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential, positioning her to help bring more fraud-related work into the firm.

A Well-Earned Celebration 

After two years of balancing work, school, and everything in between, Alex said completing the program felt incredibly rewarding. To celebrate her graduation, she took a well-earned 10-day trip to Japan, visiting Kyoto, Hakone, and Tokyo.

Along the way, she explored places like Byodoin Temple in Uji—known as the matcha capital—saw the famous sulfur eggs in Hakone, and visited Fushimi Inari, the iconic Shinto shrine lined with its striking red-orange Torii gates. While highlights included DisneySea and the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Alex said the entire trip was unforgettable. 

Built for What’s Next

For Alex, finishing the program is more than the end of a demanding chapter—it is the start of an exciting new one. After two years of balancing work, school, and everything in between, she is walking away with not only a master’s degree and CFE, but also a stronger sense of where she wants to continue growing professionally.

Growth is at the heart of BryMar, and Alex’s journey reflects that in action. By expanding her expertise in forensic and fraud examination, she’s opening new doors to deepen her impact and deliver even greater value to the clients we serve.. Alex's path is a compelling reminder of what’s possible when determination is met with the right support—and it’s exciting to see where it will lead next.