Vanderbilt University to offer Master of Accountancy degree

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management will expand its degree offerings to include a master‘s degree in accountancy beginning in fall 2007. The 10-month program is intended for non-accounting undergraduates who aspire to launch their careers with one of the top five global accounting firms – Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“We hear a common theme from these industry leaders. They place a very high value on exceptional communications and leadership skills, the ability to work well within a team and great analytical and problem-solving skills. Many of the students coming out of college who have these skills have not yet considered a career in public accounting. Our goal is to reach them, recruit them and educate them,” said Owen School Dean Jim Bradford.

Historically, the demand for certified public accountants has outstripped supply. The additional scrutiny of accounting practices prompted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has only increased the need for well-trained CPAs.

With its master of accountancy (MAcc), Vanderbilt has built a program that supplements accounting courses with classes in business fundamentals and communications and leadership. In addition, MAcc students will receive intensive on-the-job training through a paid 10-week internship during the program. Graduates will be expected to take the CPA exam the summer following graduation.

“Today‘s public accounting firms are large, dynamic organizations that provide a wide array of services designed to help businesses run better. Our graduates need to be prepared to succeed in this environment,” said Karl Hackenbrack, associate professor of accounting and faculty director for the Vanderbilt MAcc program. “In addition, public accounting is a wonderful training ground or gateway for those who want to enter the business world. Our MAcc graduates will be prepared to take their careers as far as they want to go – whether it is a partner in a public accounting firm; a controller, CFO or CEO in a corporation; or an entrepreneur.”

Applicants for the Master of Accountancy will be required to submit an application and essay; provide letters of recommendation, a transcript and resume; and submit a GMAT or GRE score. Admissions interviews will also be required. In addition to a strong academic record and graduate test score, applicants should have exceptional communications skills and leadership potential, good analytical and problem-solving skills and have completed one introductory course in financial accounting from an accredited school, with a grade of “B” or better. Unlike the two-year Vanderbilt MBA, the Master of Accountancy does not require applicants to have any work experience after their graduation from college.

Tuition for the program is estimated at $35,000. Applications for the inaugural class of 2007 are now being accepted and Owen School will ramp up marketing efforts after the new degree program is officially approved by the university‘s faculty senate on Nov. 2.

The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt is ranked as a top institution by Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times and Forbes. For more news about Owen, visit www.owen.vanderbilt.edu.

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Media contact: Princine Lewis, 615-322-NEWS
Princine.l.lewis@vanderbilt.edu