The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business continues to solidify its position as a leading institution for accountancy education, recently earning recognition for its faculty and programs. The Department of Accountancy is currently ranked #1 nationally for its faculty, according to BYU Accounting Faculty Research Rankings.
Gies Business offers a variety of master’s programs in accounting, including the Master of Accounting Science (MAS) and the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA). The MAS program, a nine-month on-campus program, requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited U.S. Institution. The MSA program, a 12-month on-campus program, is designed for students with any undergraduate degree and aims to build fundamental expertise in accounting, preparing graduates to sit for the CPA exam. An additional option, the iMSA, is a self-paced, fully online program available to both domestic and international students, with or without prior accounting experience.
Faculty at Gies Business are actively engaged in shaping modern business perspectives. Professor Danielle Green recently presented tax research to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, while Professor Alex Vandenberg conducted research revealing the prevalence of accounting fraud. Within the department, Professor Fei Du developed a textbook focused on data analytics storytelling, and Lecturer Susan Curtis received the Illinois Student Success Impact Award for positively influencing student learning. Instructor Mitch Fisher was named a 2025 Equity Champion for redesigning an introductory accounting course to enhance inclusivity.
The undergraduate accountancy program at the University of Illinois prepares students for careers in audit and assurance services, corporate accounting, taxation, consulting, and governmental or not-for-profit entities. The curriculum combines technical accounting knowledge with professional competencies in critical thinking, communication, leadership, and strategic decision-making. Students study the principles of accounting, auditing processes, and the role of accounting information in business strategy.
Gies Business emphasizes the development of accountants as data-driven strategic decision-makers, integrating data analytics into its leading-edge curriculum. The college states that its graduates are prepared to lead businesses in a rapidly changing future.
Leave a Reply