Report Shows Una To Have Second Highest Cpa Exam Pass Rate Among Alabama Institutions

Aug. 14, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - In a recent report released by The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) revealing the scores for sections of the Certified Public Accountant exam taken in 2011, the University of North Alabama is shown to have the second highest pass rate of all institutions in Alabama, at 57.1%, surpassing the state average of 42 percent and the national average of 44 percent. The Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination is the examination that an individual must pass in order to qualify for licensure as a CPA in the United States. The exam measures mastery of professional accounting knowledge as well as problem-solving and analytical skills. The exam consists of four parts that must be passed within an 18-month time period. UNA's high ranking is a remarkable achievement for the university's accounting and business law program, according to Dr. Gregory Carnes, Raburn Eminent Scholar of Accounting. He believes the success of UNA students on the exam will lead to more UNA students being placed in professional accounting firms across the state. "For UNA to have the second highest pass rate in the state says that students are working very hard to prepare themselves for their careers," he said. "This is a great evidence of the quality of our accounting program in two ways: We have excellent faculty committed to preparing students for accounting careers, and we have students who work hard to satisfy the requirements of UNA's demanding curriculum and who are committed to being exceptional professionals." UNA had 28 students sit for a total of 63 parts. These students have completed at least 150 hours of coursework and have an undergraduate or graduate accounting degree from UNA.