The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has maintained its accounting accreditation by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business and accounting education, and has been earned by less than 5 percent of the world’s business programs.

“It takes a great deal of commitment and determination to earn and maintain AACSB Accounting Accreditation,” said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “Business schools must not only meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty and professional staff must make a commitment to ongoing continuous improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver the highest quality of education to students.”

Wichita State’s School of Accountancy graduates about 100 students per year. Many are employed in public accounting or in industry in the greater Wichita area.

Of the business schools with AACSB accreditation, only 25 to 30 percent have separate accreditation for accounting. This puts WSU’s School of Accountancy in a much more select group.

“This announcement is exciting news for the Barton School of Business,” said Cindy Claycomb, interim dean and professor in the Barton School of Business. “We are extremely proud of our accounting faculty and staff. This accomplishment continues to provide a distinct advantage for the Barton School and our graduates.”

To learn more about AACSB International accreditation, visit the accreditation section of the AACSB International website at http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/.