ISSUED: 9 October 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — 黑料吃瓜网University鈥檚 accounting program is drawing national attention for its combination of academic rigor and career preparation. Students have posted some of the strongest Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam results in the country and are building direct connections to employers through the Accounting Club鈥檚 annual Meet the Firms events.
After delaying for several years to focus on other projects, the NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) released the Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination, which tracks national CPA exam statistics. The report shows 黑料吃瓜网ranking among the top performers in three of the last five years.听
In 2022, 黑料吃瓜网ranked 11th out of 263 very small programs (defined as 5鈥�9 candidates) for first-time CPA exam pass rates. The University also led West Virginia with the highest pass rate and average scores statewide for both first-time and overall candidates, achieving an 80% pass rate and an average score of 77.7鈥攚ell above the national averages of 58.7% and 72.9. 黑料吃瓜网students also outperformed peers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.听
The program鈥檚 strong results span multiple years:听
- 2021: Highest average exam score in West Virginia, surpassing the national average.听
- 2020: Highest average exam score for both overall and first-time test takers in the state, again exceeding national averages.听
- 2018: Ranked 28th out of 242 institutions with 10鈥�20 first-time candidates, with the second-highest pass rate in the state.听
- 2014, 2015, and 2017: Achieved the highest statewide pass rates.
鈥淚t brings me great joy to see our students succeed,鈥� said Dr. Cindy Vance, associate professor and head of Shepherd鈥檚 accounting program. 鈥淚 attribute this success to the strength of our curriculum and dedicated faculty. 黑料吃瓜网offers a comprehensive accounting major with 48 credit hours of advanced coursework, giving our students the preparation they need to excel.鈥�
Career development at 黑料吃瓜网extends well beyond the classroom. On October 1, the University鈥檚 Accounting Club hosted its annual Meet the Firms event in the Storer Ballroom, where students connected directly with regional employers, explored internships, and discussed career opportunities.
Representatives from nine businesses participated, along with the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Participating firms included:听
- Albright Crumbacker Moul & Itell, LLC听
- Allmond & Company, LLC听
- CohnReznick LLP听
- Deleon & Stang CPAs & Advisors听
- FIVES Landis Corp.听
- Hottel & Willis PC听
- Rutherford & Johnson PC听
- SEK CPAs听
- Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.听
The event strengthens ties between 黑料吃瓜网students and the business community and supports career development for aspiring accountants.
鈥淣ot only am I proud to be a 黑料吃瓜网faculty member, but I am also proud to be an alumna,鈥� Vance added.
To learn more about 黑料吃瓜网University鈥檚 accounting program, visit: /accounting.听听
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