The Association Between Type of Accreditation and Success in Hiring Accounting Faculty

• In Event: Resources for Accounting Faculty

Abstract

The research examines the value of specialized business accreditation to various aspects of the recruiting process for accounting faculty: hiring success, factors perceived as affecting such success, and satisfaction with the administration’s role in the hiring process. A survey was sent to all US accounting programs listed in the Hasselback directory. Type of accreditation (AACSB, ACBSP, or no specialized business accreditation) was associated with hiring success rates, with ACBSP schools having the greatest success. Salary and location of school rated very highly as success factors for all groups. Factors perceived as leading to hiring success at AACSB schools tended to focus on research-oriented items more so than those at ACBSP and nonaccredited schools. AACSB and ACBSP schools had similar levels of satisfaction with the school administration’s support in hiring; both were higher than that of nonaccredited schools, although the ACBSP’s advantage was not statistically significant. The finding that AACSB schools did not enjoy an advantage in hiring success was somewhat contrary to expectations from the AACSB’s position that its accreditation leads to hiring the best faculty. Other implications of the research are provided.

Authors

• Steven C Hunt, Western Illinois University

• Keith T. Jones, University of North Alabama