Accounting In Top 25 For CPA Exam Performance

Date: 12/12/06
Contact: Eric Jome

Illinois State University's Department of Accounting continues to receive national attention for the success of its students sitting for the CPA examination. It has been listed as one of the top 25 accounting programs in the nation for student performance on the 2005 CPA exam.

Illinois State has been ranked 18th in the nation with respect to the pass rate for students with advanced accounting degrees, and is one of only two Illinois schools listed in the top 25 in the nation by the National Association of the State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Official results for the 2005 CPA exam were recently released by NASBA.

The Department of Accounting has a long-standing reputation of graduates performing well above the national average on the CPA exam. In May 2002, the Department was recognized for achieving the second highest pass rate in the nation. In May 2003, its pass rate was more than 66 percent at a time when the national average was below 18 percent.

"The Department of Accounting's continued excellence on the national CPA examination is the result of two factors," said Gerry McKean, interim chair of Accounting. "First, the Department has intelligent and motivated students who are passionate about their chosen profession. Second, the Department's faculty adds significant value to each student's professional growth and development."