Welcome to the James Madison University's School of Accounting website. James Madison University was the first public college or university in Virginia to establish a School of Accounting within a College of Business.
For decades the School of Accounting has enjoyed a national reputation for excellence in accounting education and is viewed as a prime recruiting school by employers throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Employment statistics are published each year in the School’s Annual Report (available on the School’s website). Both the Accounting Program and the College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The School of Accounting offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in accounting. Most of our students choose to receive both degrees and thereby satisfy the 150 semester hours of education required in most states to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Students receiving bachelors degrees at other institutions are also encouraged to apply for the Master of Science program.
Our Mission
The School of Accounting is committed to preparing students to be active and engaged citizens who are able to apply accounting and business knowledge for the betterment of individuals and organizations. We value an environment of educational excellence in which:
- students develop both technical and interpersonal skills necessary for successful professional accounting careers;
- faculty create and disseminate meaningful intellectual contributions and actively participate in the academic and professional communities; and
- stakeholders, including alumni, recruiters and others, desire long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with the School.
Undergraduate Mission:
The mission of the undergraduate accounting program is to prepare students for entry into high-quality graduate programs and for positions in business that do not require postgraduate education. Since the B.B.A. degree is part of the College of Business, it reflects the distinctive competencies of the College. In addition, the program delivers foundation accounting courses to all students in the College of Business and to students in a variety of programs across the University.
Graduate Mission:
The mission of the graduate accounting program is to provide a strong regional presence for advanced professional education that prepares students for success in the accounting profession by strengthening the students’ technical expertise, enhancing their understanding of professional responsibility and improving their business skills necessary to compete in today’s complex and ever changing business environment.
Notable Features
- All of the Accounting faculty hold professional certifications, either as Certified Public Accountants or Certified Management Accountants.
- The School enjoys a reputation for student success on the Certified Public Accountants Exam. A post-graduation CPA exam review course is offered on campus every summer.
- Students have opportunities for summer semester internships and externships with businesses, government and public accounting firms throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
- Graduate research assistantships are available for students seeking the masters degree that provide tuition assistance and a stipend are available on a competitive basis.