The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International has extended the accreditation of the business and accounting degree programs for the Sam M. Walton College of Business and its William Dillard Department of Accounting.

Since 1931, Walton College has continuously maintained its accreditation. All accounting programs at Walton College have been accredited since 1985 by the AACSB.

“An accreditation by the AASCB is an independent review by peer business colleges and reflects the high quality of our programs, faculty and staff,” said Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College. “Only high-quality business schools attain this endorsement. I am proud that we represent our state, students and supporters with this exceptional recognition.”

“AACSB accreditation is a reflection of the national prominence of our accounting faculty, our commitment to students, and the faculty’s team-focused approached to fulfilling our mission,” said Gary Peters, chair of the William Dillard Department of Accounting and holder of the S. Robson Walton Endowed Professorship of Accounting.

The accreditation process involves a “rigorous internal focus, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor, and peer-reviewed evaluation,” according to the AACSB. Business colleges are required to meet standards regarding strategic management and innovation, learning and teaching, academic and professional engagement and include students, faculty and staff as active participants. To maintain accreditation, schools undergo a five-year peer-reviewed continuous improvement process.

Worldwide, 937 institutions hold AACSB accreditation in business and only 190 maintain supplemental AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs, as noted by the AACSB in February 2022. 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.

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