UA’s School of Accountancy Jumps to No. 15 Nationally in Public Accounting Report’s Latest Rankings

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s undergraduate accounting program at the Culverhouse School of Accountancy jumped seven spots over last year to No. 15 nationally in the latest rankings released by “Public Accounting Report.”

The rankings appear in the October 2006 issue of “Public Accounting Report,” the independent newsletter of the accounting profession. One of the leading trade publications for certified public accountants, “Public Accounting Report” bases its rankings on the largest national survey of accounting academics, conducted annually by its sister publication, “CPA Personnel Report.”

The University of Alabama fared equally well in the graduate rankings, vaulting from No. 25 to No. 14, and from 23 to 17 among doctoral programs.

“Our faculty works very hard to develop new approaches to accounting education,” said Dr. Mary Stone, director of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. “Faculty members have a genuine concern for their students. All are dedicated to ensuring the courses they teach are relevant and responsive to market changes. We are fortunate to have a very successful and loyal group of alumni who are always willing to share their time to advise us on market changes and to support our programs. The combination of dedicated faculty and alumni produces graduates who have the skills and knowledge to become successful professionals.”

The University of Texas at Austin was ranked No. 1 in all three categories, followed by Brigham Young in undergraduate and graduate programs. But, the report noted, “University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Baylor University/Waco, Texas, were the big movers on the undergraduate list. Bama jumped seven spots versus last year, and Baylor moved up six spots from last year’s ranking.”

The report also said, “The biggest movers in the graduate rankings were University of Alabama and University of Wisconsin. The Crimson Tide leapt 11 spots, to place at No. 14 in this year’s graduate rankings. The Badgers jumped nine spots to crack the graduate list Top 10.”

“There is a culture in the Culverhouse School of Accountancy that encourages innovation,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce. “That culture also encourages teaching methods that infuse real world accounting scenarios with today’s technology and methodology, so that our students get the best of both worlds.”

In addition to the school of accountancy ranking, the undergraduate business program at the Culverhouse College of Commerce is ranked in the top 3 to 4 percent of public business programs.