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JMU CoB faculty talking during Meet the Firms Night

Dr. Mary Gowan, Molly Brown, Dr. Paul Copley

CoB Dean Dr. Mary Gowan chats with Professor Molly Brown and Dr. Paul Copley at Meet the Firms night.

Representatives from CGI at Meet the Firms Event

CGI at Meet the Firms Night

CGI representatives speak with students at Meet the Firms night.

Alex Gabbin talking to two students at a CoB event

Dr. Alex Gabbin and students

Dr. Alex Gabbin meets with students during Meet the Firms night.

Group of JMU Accounting students at the BAP 5K

Beta Alpha Psi Members Support Breast Cancer

BAP members participate in Annual Race to Beat Breast Cancer 5K.

Beta Alpha Psi Members at National Conference

Beta Alpha Psi Members Best Practices Competition

Two BAP teams placed second at the competition.

Welcome to the School of Accounting

A Description of the Major

Director's Message: 

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.

Notable features of the accounting program include:

  • 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.

The School of Accounting is an academic unit of the James Madison University College of Business.  Distinctive characteristics of the College of Business include:

  • Classes: Most of the classes are taught in section sizes of 40 or smaller. The College does not use graduate teaching assistants.
  • Curriculum: JMU offers a uniform “business core” curriculum for all majors within the College of Business. The curriculum emphasizes an integration of the business disciplines, working in teams and development of both technical and interpersonal skills. 
  • Semester in Antwerp: The College offers rising juniors an opportunity to spend a semester in Antwerp, Belgium and earn 13 credit hours of JMU business coursework. As part of your program of study, you will take trips to France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, England and, of course, Belgium. You will visit businesses, governmental institutions and cultural sites as part of the program.