For Bayu Setyawan Suprayogi, the academic journey in the Master of Science in Accounting Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (MD FEB UGM) was not merely about pursuing a higher degree, it was a process of rediscovering his intellectual identity. A graduate of the Undergraduate Accounting Program at FEB UGM, Bayu decided to return to campus after spending five years working as an auditor.
He completed his master’s studies with distinction, earning the title of Best Graduate of the MD FEB UGM Program for the Academic Year 2025/2026, Period I (October 2025). Bayu graduated cum laude with an almost perfect GPA of 3.96, completing his studies in 1 year, 10 months, and 19 days.
“I had planned to pursue further studies since my undergraduate years, but I didn’t want to do it right away. I wanted first to experience the professional world,” Bayu said.
Before continuing his education, Bayu spent around five years as an auditor. However, amid his professional routines, he realized his growing interest in exploring the academic side of accounting, particularly in the field of auditing.
“During work, I often had in-depth discussions with clients—from staff to top management. From those experiences, I became interested in understanding the dynamics of negotiation between auditors and management from a scientific perspective,” he explained.
This interest became the foundation for his thesis titled “An Analysis of the Effect of Audit Report Lag on Audit Quality in the Context of Auditor Rotation and Industry Specialist Auditors.” According to Bayu, the audit report lag often reflects the intensity of negotiation between auditors and clients. In his research, he examined this phenomenon from the perspective of auditor characteristics, particularly in situations involving auditor rotation and industry specialization.
“If the lag is long, it may indicate more intense negotiations, which could affect audit quality,” he said.
Bayu officially began his studies at the Master of Science in Accounting Program, FEB UGM, on August 15, 2023, under the LPDP Scholarship. During his thesis writing process, he was supervised by Dr. Suyanto, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., who provided him with valuable guidance and insights.
“Even though our research interests were different, he really helped me think more broadly,” Bayu shared.
For Bayu, studying at FEB UGM instilled many important values, including academic freedom, objectivity, and equality. He also appreciated the intense research atmosphere within the faculty. Almost every course encouraged students to produce research-based outputs.
“The curriculum strongly supports research. Even in the first semester, we were already directed to start preparing our proposals,” Bayu explained.
He found the learning approach at FEB UGM to be highly personal. In several courses, he was the only student pursuing specific topics. One of his most memorable experiences was when his literature review assignment in the Sustainability Accounting course was successfully published as a scientific article. Bayu expressed his gratitude for the faculty’s continuous encouragement and open support for student research development.
Behind his achievements, Bayu also had to balance his dual roles as a student and a family man. When he first began his studies, his wife had just given birth, which meant he spent more time at home managing both family and academic responsibilities. He also faced a personal loss during his studies when his father passed away earlier this year, before being able to witness his graduation.
Bayu was born and raised in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, in a humble family that deeply valued education. His late father was an elementary school teacher, while his mother was a homemaker. His older sister, a graduate in Accounting Education, inspired him to pursue a degree in accounting.
At the end of the conversation, Bayu shared a message for current master’s students: not to rush through their studies. He believes that students should embrace every stage of the learning journey and define their research direction early in the process.
“Enjoy the process. It begins the moment you start your program. Determine your research direction by the end of the first semester, and by the second semester, ensure you have a thesis topic in place. That way, your academic journey will be more focused and meaningful,” he advised.
Reporter: Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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