SDSU School of Accountancy Ranks in Top 10 on National CPA Exam

School ranks 5th for schools with highest passing graduate rates

The School of Accountancy has ranked 5th in the nation for schools with the highest passing rates on the Uniform CPA Examination among first-time candidates with advanced degrees. SDSU, the only California University in the top ten, also received the honor for the November 2003 exam, when the university placed 4th.

“This ranking further illustrates the excellence of our graduate program and those who are involved with it,” said School of Accountancy Director Sharon Lightner. “With superior faculty guiding our students and an outstanding curriculum, this program is a leader in its area and is aspiring to continue its trajectory of becoming one of the best in the country.”

David Down, a 1976 SDSU Accounting graduate who is Managing Partner at KPMG in San Diego, is aware of the quality of SDSU graduates. “KPMG has found SDSU School of Accountancy a great resource of talent. Forty percent of KPMG's Western Audit Leadership Team are SDSU grads.”

Individuals who wish to qualify for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) must pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Provided on behalf of the Boards of Accountancy, the examination is offered jointly by the NASBA (The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy), the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and Thomson Prometric (part of The Thomson Corporation).

The examination consists of four sections: Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulation.

According to the CPA Examination Mission Statement, the purpose of the test is “To admit individuals into the accounting profession only after they have demonstrated the entry-level knowledge and skills necessary to protect the public interest in a rapidly changing business and financial environment.” The examination is considered to be part of the “Three Es” – Education, Examination and Experience, all areas that are required for licensure as a CPA.

The top ten schools on the CPA exam are: (1) Wake Forrest University, (2) University of Wisconsin-Madison, (3) University of Washington, (4) University of NC-Chapel Hill, (5) San Diego State University, (6) University of Texas at Dallas, (7) Brigham Young University Main, (8) Cleveland State University, (9) University of IL-Urbana-Champaign and (10) Bently College, DePaul University and University of Georgia (tie).

email: business@sdsu.edu