Reaffirming its commitment to providing students with the skills necessary to compete in a global marketplace, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business is expanding the depth and breadth of its business analytics curriculum.

Fisher, along with the Villanova School of Business, has been selected as a founding academic partner in KPMG’s Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program.

Beginning in Fall 2017, KPMG will select 25 of its top annual hires to its audit practice to enroll in Fisher’s Master of Accounting (MAcc) program. An additional 25 students will be selected to attend the Villanova School of Business. Pending formal university admission, the students at each business school will receive a MAcc education fully funded (tuition, reasonable fees and stipends) by KPMG.

The KPMG program will provide students enrolled in Fisher’s MAcc program the opportunity to take a deep dive into the latest analytics technology and data sets, as well as opportunities to participate in applied learning experiences using KPMG's proprietary tools. Upon graduating with a MAcc degree, these students selected to be a part of the data and analytics initiative will become full-time employees at KPMG on an accelerated career track.

This partnership between KPMG’s U.S. firm, which is part of one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and advisory firms, and Fisher’s renowned MAcc program will continue to positively impact the future of the accounting industry.

“For decades, the rigorous curriculum within the MAcc program at Fisher has differentiated it as among the best,” said J. Richard Dietrich, chair of the Department of Accounting and Management Information Systems. “Fisher’s emphasis on data and analytics in accounting as part of this program exemplifies our commitment to preparing future audit professionals.”

Max Carrier (BSBA ’80), KPMG’s National Partner-in-Charge of eAudIT, Global Delivery Center and Audit Data & Analytics, notes that this emphasis on data and analytics in accounting has the potential to positively change the audit industry.

“Data and analytics have become a critical component of the audit profession, and as such, we’ve seen an increase across the industry in the demand for professionals capable of turning information into insights,” he said. “We are proud to partner with Fisher and Villanova—two of the nation’s leading business schools—in advancing this critical frontier within our industry.”

More information about KPMG’s Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program:

• KPMG Microsite

• Press Release