Accountancy Program Improves Ranking in Annual Survey

The MU School of Accountancy has moved upward in the national rankings of accounting programs. The 27th annual Public Accounting Report survey, published in October, ranked the school’s master’s program at #15 and the PhD program at #19 nationwide.

“We have an outstanding faculty and the ‘cream of the crop’ among the students, which shows in the quality of our graduates,” says Vairam Arunachalam, director of the School of Accountancy. “I believe our research productivity, teaching excellence, student quality, and alumni support are all reflected in these rankings.”

The master’s program showed improvement over its 2007 ranking, rising 10 spots from its previous position at #25. MU’s program has consistently been ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The PhD program was also ranked #25 in 2007 and climbed to its highest ranking ever in the latest survey.

More than 1,550 professors across the nation voted in the 2008 Public Accounting Report survey of the best accounting programs. Professors are asked for their opinions about which programs consistently produce students capable of attaining partner status in professional accounting firms.

"The University of Missouri is one of Ernst & Young's 'priority' schools for recruiting top accounting graduates, and this ranking confirms our assessment that Mizzou is a top-flight program” says Andy Miller (BS BA ‘78), a partner with Ernst & Young. “We believe that graduates of MU’s School of Accountancy come to our firm with the knowledge and skill set to be among the best professionals in the nation."