Business School has Pennsylvania’s Only IIA-Certified Accounting Program

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has accepted Duquesne University as an Internal Audit Foundation Program in its global Internal Auditing Education Partnership (IAEP). This makes Duquesne the only school in Pennsylvania, one of just 30 in the United States and one of 52 internationally to have an IIA-certified program focused on the practice of internal audit.

The IIA, established in 1941, is the recognized authority, leader, advocate, principal educator and global voice of the internal audit profession. The institute’s mission is to provide dynamic leadership for the profession across the world.

“This recognition underscores that the broad and relevant education we offer, particularly in preparing students to be difference makers as internal auditors, is second to none,” Dr. Dean McFarlin, Dean of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, said. “Outstanding internal auditors are vital to organizational success. We are very proud to receive this certification from IIA. It validates what we do in our MS in Accountancy curriculum, thanks to our dedicated and incredibly hard-working accounting faculty. They deserve all the credit.”   

To be considered by the IIA, Duquesne’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business had to provide a proposed internal audit program curriculum, department faculty support, appropriate internal accreditation and program-related internships, among other requirements.

“To become a certified program was many years in the making,” Valerie Williams, assistant professor of practice in accounting, said. “In addition to the all-encompassing University process, the certification would not have been possible without the support of the Pittsburgh IIA Advocacy Committee and local employers. The Internal Audit profession includes a wide range of opportunities such as control assessment, fraud prevention and detection, risk assessment and advisory, governance and consulting on operations. I welcome any student or professional in

terested in earning a master’s in accountancy to apply to our program at www.duq.edu/macc.”

The business school offers exemplary preparation for a career in corporate, industrial, government, nonprofit or public accounting. Students develop critical thinking skills while learning to identify, analyze and recommend solutions for vital business issues.

Upon confirming this prestigious distinction, IIA Academic Relations Committee Chair Rudrik du Bruyn wrote to Duquesne, “The committee has demonstrated its firm belief that you will make impactful contributions to the next generation of internal auditors.” He added that “participation in the IAEP program identifies Duquesne University as a forward-thinking school that recognizes the importance of the internal auditing profession as a career choice.”

“It has been gratifying to partner with Val Williams and Duquesne University to attain this significant achievement,” LaDawn Yesho, chair of advocacy for the IIA Pittsburgh chapter, added. “A local IAEP Advisor Board was established consisting of audit professionals from Pittsburgh-area companies to support local colleges and universities, such as Duquesne University, to heighten the stature of an internal auditing career, encourage the addition of internal audit as part of a school’s curriculum and to provide employment opportunities. The Pittsburgh Advocacy Committee continues to be committed to move the internal auditing profession forward.”