The Marriott School of Management's accounting programs was recently ranked No. 3 in the nation, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" survey.

"We're delighted with the rankings that we receive," said Kevin D. Stocks, director of the school of accountancy. "They recognize the quality of our students and the quality of our program. We're just pleased that we rank highly."

Stocks attributes the school's success to its innovative curriculum.

"We've received two awards over the last 15 years for innovations to our curriculum," Stocks said. "Our curriculum is very integrated, professionally oriented curriculum, but we benefit from tremendous students, excellent faculty and by tremendous support from alumni."

The ethics and demeanor of the students helps attribute to the program's high rankings, said Earl K. Stice, accounting professor.

"I think my favorite thing about the [accounting] program is the coordination between the classes during the semester," said Craig Chilton, a senior majoring in accounting from Bountiful.

Throughout the semester a certain concept is taught simultaneously in all the accounting classes, Chilton said. This improves the student's ability to retain the information.

U.S. News & World Report ranks 1,400 four-year accredited universities in a variety of categories, accounting being one. BYU is considered for all "national universities" categories because of its wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.

BYU's accounting program has been ranked among the top three programs in the Public Accounting Report since 1995.

Copyright Brigham Young University 17 Sep 2007