Accounting Programs Ranked Top Three for 17th Consecutive Year

PROVO, Utah – Feb 3, 2012 – For the 17th straight year the Brigham Young University School of Accountancy received a top-3 ranking from the Public Accounting Report, reinforcing its position among the nation's best accounting schools.

"We're honored with the continued recognition of our top-flight accounting programs," says Gary Cornia, Marriott School dean. "This ranking says a lot about the performance of our students and graduates as well as the faculty's focus on innovation."

This year's ranking places BYU third among undergraduate and graduate programs against universities such as the University of Texas–Austin, the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and the University of Michigan. BYU is the only top-ranked institution that doesn't offer a PhD program.

In an additional PAR poll, BYU accounting programs received the second most first-place votes among professors who didn't rank their program No. 1 — indicating the respect BYU has earned among the nation's top professors.

"Receiving this recognition is a validation of the quality of our students, faculty and curriculum that have helped build our fine tradition," says Kevin Stocks, director of the School of Accountancy. "It opens tremendous opportunities as our graduates prepare to enter the workplace."

Last year, more than 200 students graduated from the School of Accountancy's graduate and undergraduate programs.

"Seeing that our program is so well-respected gives me confidence as I prepare to move forward in my career," says Travis Dyer, a second-year MAcc student from Vancouver, Wash. "Because of what I've gained at BYU I feel prepared for the future."

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.