Accounting enrollments up 12.3 percent

Accounting enrollments at Maryland’s four-year colleges and universities increased 12.3 percent in 2006, according to a report released in April by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

The annual report, "Trends in Enrollment by Program: Maryland Higher Education Institutions," provides program data for the fall semester of 2006 as well as levels for the past 15 years.

This is the fifth consecutive year enrollments have increased, though the rate has ebbed slightly. Between 2001 and 2005, enrollments grew 15 to 20 percent.

While the overall pace may have slowed, a number of schools attained their highest levels in more than a decade.

Public universities posted an overall growth of 12.4 percent. As in previous years, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) reported both the largest enrollment and the greatest increase, at 19.7 percent. Salisbury University followed with a 15.9 percent increase and its highest enrollment since 1996. Towson University grew 13.9 percent and its largest figure since 1993. University of Maryland College Park and Morgan State University reached their highest levels since 1997 and 1999, respectively.

Maryland’s independent universities also fared well, with an overall growth of 11.3 percent. Loyola College paced this group as its enrollment rose 25.7 percent to the highest level since 1999. Mount St. Mary’s saw a 16.9 percent rise.

Community colleges experienced a slight 1.2 percent dip. The Montgomery College campuses collectively boast the largest enrollment and grew 8.9 percent to their highest level since 2000.

“We're very pleased to see that our accounting program and the programs of our colleagues continues to grow at an impressive rate,” said Dr. Edwin Mah, collegiate associate professor and director of the Resource Center for Accounting and Finance. “In general, interest in accounting is likely a reflection of a dynamic professional environment. Relatively new regulatory demands such as Sarbanes-Oxley have created many exciting professional opportunities for students, and Maryland accounting programs have benefited from this additional demand for accounting talent.

“UMUC's impressive growth in accounting enrollments is particularly noteworthy given our mission to serve non-traditional students,” he added. “Our growth suggests that there is a large population of non-traditional students who are interested in obtaining a quality education and see UMUC's program as an opportunity that will meet their unique needs. These enrollment numbers only help validate our efforts toward meeting our mission."

So once again, the news is positive from Maryland’s halls of academe. But the question remains: Will the surge in enrollments translate into the pool of new CPAs needed to meet the soaring demand?

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