SDSU School of Accountancy Ranks in Top 10 on National CPA Exam
School ranks 5th for schools with highest passing graduate rates

Contact: Randy Carmical, Director of Communications
(619) 594-0206 Randy.Carmical@sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, April 5, 2006 – San Diego State University’s (SDSU) 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).

About SDSU School of Accountancy
SDSU’s School of Accountancy is one of the largest such programs in Southern California. Students participate in a unique and nationally recognized integrated experience in the areas of financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, information systems, and auditing. SDSU Accountancy students are frequently among the top  performers on the CPA exam nationally. Multiple SDSU students have received the Gold Medal for the top score in the country.

Among the current accountancy faculty is a recent Fulbright scholar, as well as one of the most notable accounting researchers in the country. For the past three years, an SDSU alumnus has received an offer to serve as a post-graduate technical assistant on the national Financial Accounting Standards Board, as well as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. For the last two years, SDSU’s KPMG/ALPFA team has advanced from the regional to the national case competition. The Beta Alpha Psi Chapter has received superior status for each of the past fifteen years. The school is one of only four accredited programs in California.

About SDSU College of Business Administration
With over 5,500 students, the SDSU College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the U.S. Its programs in international business and graduate entrepreneurship are ranked among the top programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. This year, the college is celebrating “50 Years of Educating San Diego’s Business Leaders.”

About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degree in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s more than 33,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.