For the third time in the last four years, Point Loma Nazarene University ranked among the top three California universities for the Certified Public Accounting examination results as reported by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

“These results are particularly satisfying because PLNU has consistently placed among the top three universities in California,” said Dan Bothe, dean of the Fermanian School of Business. “Results like this speak to exceptional caliber of PLNU’s accounting students, who are sought after by the most prestigious national, statewide, and local accounting firms.”

PLNU graduates ranked third in both pass rate and average score among 60 colleges in California for 2014. PLNU candidates had a 61.9 percent pass rate and 75.6 average score, finishing behind Claremont McKenna College and Pepperdine University, respectively.

In addition to success statewide, PLNU ranked in the top 5 percent nationally among medium programs for candidates taking the exam for the first time. NASBA classifies universities by size of program based on number of candidates. There were 265 institutions in the medium program category (21 to 60 candidates).

“Such consistent results are a testament to the dedication and hard work our alumni take into the business community," said Carl Hammond, associate accounting professor. "The PLNU accounting program does not 'teach to the test;' rather we emphasize a rock-solid accounting foundation enhanced by personal values articulated throughout the PLNU liberal arts-based curriculum. Our goal is to prepare our students to add value wherever the accounting profession may lead them.”

--Point Loma Nazarene University