Initial accreditation for accounting functions similarly to business. The initial accounting accreditation process is a rigorous review that involves peers from business schools, experienced committees, and AACSB staff. To achieve AACSB accounting accreditation, an institution must first—or simultaneously—pursue AACSB Business Accreditation. In addition to meeting the 15 business accreditation standards, the school must also fulfill the criteria for the 6 accounting accreditation standards, which are specific to the discipline and profession of accounting.
The initial accounting accreditation process follows the successful completion and approval of the eligibility application. Initial accounting accreditation includes a thorough review of the information submitted with the eligibility application, a mentor visit, the development and approval of an initial self-evaluation report (iSER), subsequent updates to the iSER, submission of the final self-evaluation report, and peer review team visit. Once a school achieves initial accounting accreditation, it will be placed in a five-year continuous improvement review cycle.
Initial Accounting Accreditation Resources
Initial Accounting Accreditation Handbook Policies and Procedures Roles and Responsibilities
Initial Self Evaluation Report (iSER)
Required Documentation iSER Outline Accounting Accounting Standards Worksheet Gap Analysis Applicant Profile Sheet
Progress Report (iSER Update Report)
Required Documentation Progress Report Guidelines and Submission Instructions Applicant Profile Sheet
Required Tables Table A2-1 Table A6
Initial Accreditation Application
Required Documentation Letter of Application for Initial Accounting Template
Final Self Evaluation Report (SER)
Required Documentation Self Evaluation Report Submission Instructions
Documents should be completed, saved and emailed to [email protected] by the submission due dates for committee review. If you have any questions, contact your AACSB accreditation staff liaison.