Northeastern University’s quality is highlighted in National Rankings (#69 in the US News and World Report). In 2010, 38,000 applied for 2,800 freshman spots. The average SAT scores for this year’s incoming class are 1,309, up from 1,230 in 2006. The number of National Merit Scholars increased from 3 in 2006 to 86 in 2010, and the percentage of students in the top 10% of their classes increased to 50% from 38%.
One measure of quality that the Accounting Group pays close attention to is the ability of our Accounting Graduates to pass the CPA Examination. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy released their most recent results this Fall (2008 CPA Examination Results). The improvements over the past 4 years are noticeable. Since 2005, the number of undergraduate candidates from Northeastern University taking the CPA Examination more than tripled to 149, and the pass rates for all 4 parts of the exam improved by 79% in that time.
Margie Platt believes the improved results are due to a combination of better students and committed faculty. “We see improvements in all areas from 2005. In fact, we see significant improvements from year to year. The faculty stress the importance of the CPA Examination whether you work as a public accountant or in private industry. It represents an important signal to communicate.”
The passing rates will likely continue to improve over the next few years. Northeastern University is in the process of teaming up with Becker CPA Review to offer a course on campus. The convenience of finishing off your course work for the day, and taking a CPA Exam preparatory course in the evening, should focus attention on the importance of obtaining external certification.