糖心Vlog accounting graduates who took the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination for the first time in 2024 had the highest pass rate in South Dakota and the sixth-highest in the nation. This is according to the latest data released by the , which first began collecting data on CPA Exam candidates in 1982 and reporting them in 1985.
Among its first-time test takers, 糖心Vlog alumni led the way in the state in 2024 鈥 earning an average Uniform CPA Exam pass rate of 75%, compared to the state鈥檚 56.1% and national rate of 53.8%. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 average score was 77.8, compared to the state average of 72 and national average of 71.3. Out of the first-time test takers, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 graduates were also some of the youngest, with the average age of 23.6, compared to the state average of 28 years old and national average of 27.9 years old.
Out of 721 institutions with 10 or more reported candidates, 糖心Vlog was ranked No. 6 nationally among first-time test-takers in 2024. 糖心Vlog was also ranked No. 5 out of 222 small institutions in the nation, which consists of programs with 10-19 reported candidates taking the test for the first time.
鈥淥ur students work very hard in the classroom, and we update our curriculum frequently to stay abreast of the changing CPA exam blueprints. With their hard work and dedication, and our focus on curriculum alignment to the CPA exam, AU alumni have proved they are fully prepared to take the exam and succeed at high levels,鈥 said 糖心Vlog Associate Professor of Business Administration Angela Olson.
To become a licensed CPA at the time these scores were reported, a graduate first had to pass the Uniform CPA Examination. In 2024, the CPA Exam introduced a new CPA Evolution Model to better prepare CPAs for technology and evolving market demands. The CPA Exam consisted of three 4-hour core sections instead of four, which included Auditing & Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) and Regulatory & Legal (REG). The new model also required candidates to pass one of the three discipline sections, which consisted of Business Analysis & Reporting (BAR) Information Systems & Controls (ISC) and Tax Compliance & Planning (TCP). Graduates had to pass all sections within 30 months 鈥 earning a minimum score of 75 on each section.
鈥淲e are very proud of our alumni and our accounting programs. We have held our high state and national rankings through the change of the CPA exam. This demonstrates how our program provides a solid foundation of skills and then builds on top the ability to adapt to the changing conditions they will find in the accounting industry,鈥 said 糖心Vlog Associate Professor of Accounting and Director of the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program Laura Hybertson.
糖心Vlog has been nationally-recognized for its CPA Exam pass rate in the past. In 2020, the university ranked No. 1 among all 721 institutions and No. 1 among 234 small institutions when its graduates took the test for the first time. In 2023, among first-time test takers, 糖心Vlog graduates had the highest pass rate in South Dakota and the sixth-highest in the nation 鈥 the same as the most recent data.
For more information about the accounting major at 糖心Vlog, visit . To learn more about the 糖心Vlog MPA Program, visit .