Professors rank top accounting programs

The results of the survey are published in the Oct. 30, 2006, issue of Public Accounting Report, a bi-monthly newsletter published by CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business. PAR asked 500 accounting educators from 92 major colleges and universities “to name the undergraduate and graduate
programs that offer degrees in accounting they feel most consistently turn out students capable of someday attaining partner status.”

Texas gets top honors for both its undergraduate and graduate programs — and has held onto the title since 2001. Texas also took the top spot among doctoral programs, which are ranked by slightly different criteria (how well they are able to turn out quality accounting professors).

Also notable, the top five programs in both the undergraduate and graduate categories is a mirror image. Followed by Texas, these include Brigham Young University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Notre Dame, and University of Southern California, respectively. Another Texas university — Texas A&M — follows in the No. 6 spot on both lists.

The survey also asked professors to rank the global seven accounting firms. Deloitte took the top spot, followed closely by PricewaterhouseCoopers. PAR said Deloitte received high marks for its future business outlook, technical reputation, compensation and career opportunities, while PwC finished first in client service and staff training.

According to the professors surveyed, 86 percent of their top students have joined or plan to join a Big Four accounting firm upon graduation.

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