U of S Grads Excel Again in National Accounting Exam

Posted November 27, 2000


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 24, 2000 2000-11-18-CO

U of S Graduates Excel Again in National Accounting Exam

University of Saskatchewan graduates have excelled once again on a national
exam, winning gold and silver medals in the province and cracking the
national honour list. Students from the Masters of Professional Accounting
(MPAcc) program scored above the national average on the uniform final exam
administered by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
While the national pass rate for the CICA exam was 68%, graduates from the U
of S program had a notable 74% pass rate. This is the second year in a row
that the program graduates have outpaced their peers in the country. Over
the two years in which the program has been in existence, 85% of MPAcc
graduates have passed the exam compared to a national pass rate in the same
period of 66%.

"We?re very proud of our graduates? success," says Professor Fred Phillips,
MPAcc Program Director. "What?s truly remarkable about their achievement is
that the MPAcc program was not designed to merely prepare students for the
CICA exam. Rather, the program developed many skills that are required of
business professionals and explored a variety of topics that are outside
the scope of the CICA exam."

The University?s MPAcc program began in August 1998, graduating 17 students.
Currently, 23 students are enrolled in the program, including graduates
from undergraduate programs at the U of S and three other western Canadian
universities- Simon Fraser, University of Alberta, and University of
Manitoba.

"With the exceptional success of its graduates, the MPAcc program continues
to gain an even greater presence throughout the region," says Phillips.

More information about the program is available on its web site:

http://www.commerce.usask.ca/grad/mpacc


For more information please contact:

Fred Phillips, Ph.D., C.A., Associate Professor and Director
Masters of Professional Accounting Program
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-8401
Fax: (306) 966-2514