Indiana University of Pennsylvania has earned accounting accreditation for its Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Eberly College of Business.

IUP is the only public university in Pennsylvania and one of only five colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to achieve this recognition.

Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide.

IUP’s Eberly College of Business has held AACSB accreditation since 2001. Less than six percent of colleges and universities all over the world with business degree programs achieve AACSB business accreditation. Less than 200 of these institutions achieve and maintain supplemental AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs.

IUP’s accounting program offers a bachelor of science degree and a minor in accounting. The program is part of the IUP Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Eberly College of Business.

“AACSB accounting accreditation is a testament to the high quality of our accounting program and the extraordinary success that our accounting alumni have experienced over the decades,” Prashanth Bharadwaj, interim dean of the Eberly College of Business, said.

“Securing accreditation includes extensive documentation of a program’s commitment to excellence on all fronts, including faculty expertise, academic rigor, learning assessment, and outstanding success of its graduates,” he said. “This would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of our accounting faculty members and the constant support from the university administration.”

To realize accounting accreditation, an institution must first earn or maintain AACSB business

accreditation. Then, in addition to developing and implementing a mission-driven plan to satisfy the business accreditation quality standards, accounting accreditation requires the satisfaction of an additional set of accreditation standards that are specific to the discipline and profession of accounting.

“The accreditation ratification signals that Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Accounting and Information Systems graduates have completed a program grounded in exceptional technical and foundational skills and are prepared to assume critical responsibilities that serve the public interest with integrity and professionalism,” Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB, said.

“IUP's Accounting and Information Systems Department blends classroom experience with real-world expertise in a technological environment, providing students with an affordable, well-rounded education that will allow graduates to choose from multiple accounting career options in public accounting, government, industry, information systems, and nonprofit organizations,” Bharadwaj said.

Students in the accounting major have opportunities for internships, which often lead to full-time employment following graduation. Students are also active in the Student Accounting Association, which organizes field trips to companies and invites in-the-field accounting professionals to speak at its meetings.

This organization hosts the yearly Accounting Career Day, which is a large-scale career fair at IUP in the fall, which draws representatives from nationally known companies, as well as a recognition dinner in the spring. Both events are designed to offer students networking opportunities with accounting professionals and companies.

Students can also join IUP’s National Association for Black Accountants chapter and attend events held by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants or join the Institute of Management Accountants chapter and have the chance to earn scholarships awarded each academic year for the certified management exam. This organization also provides access to study resources for the exam.

The demand for accounting professionals is undeniably high. By 2026, there will be 1.5 million accountants and auditors in the United States with stable positions and earning high salaries, industry experts say.

Beyond becoming an accountant with a bachelor of science in accounting, graduates can pursue a variety of professions, including forensic accounting, financial reporting and analysis, internal and external auditing, tax preparation and consulting, and public and private accounting. There are several options to work in government or nonprofit organizations. Accounting managers report some of the highest levels of job satisfaction in the United States, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.