UR Accounting Graduates Earn #1 Ranking in Virginia on 2024 CPA Exam
The 2024 CPA exam represented a milestone achievement for accounting students at the Robins School of Business. In the first year of the new exam format, Robins School accounting graduates achieved a pass rate of 74.1%, far outpacing the national average of 53.8%. That performance not only placed Richmond students well above their peers but also earned the program the #1 ranking in Virginia.
The strong results highlight both the rigor of the accounting curriculum and the supportive community that surrounds students. Faculty members emphasize that their mission is not to “teach to the test,” but rather to equip students with the problem-solving skills and foundational knowledge that allow them to thrive both on the exam and in their careers.
“We have smart and hard-working students, and the general assumption is that if we teach them to understand the material, then they will know enough to be successful on the CPA Exam,” said Joe Hoyle, associate professor of accounting. “Getting a strong four-year education is so much more important than how quickly you pass a bunch of tests. If students can succeed in intermediate accounting, they can certainly succeed on the CPA exam.”
The new exam format requires all candidates to take three core sections—Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, and Regulation—before selecting one of three discipline-specific tracks. Even in this changing landscape, Richmond students demonstrated adaptability and mastery.
Foster Lynam, an accounting alum who graduated in 2022, credits the program’s structure and teaching approach for preparing him to succeed. “UR accounting majors are exceptionally prepared for the CPA exam,” Lynam said. “Even elective classes, particularly the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, cover a vast majority of topics tested on the exams. Not only are we set up to pass on the first try, but less studying goes into each exam because of the quality of the curriculum.”
Lynam, now an audit senior assistant at Deloitte, also emphasized the value of small class sizes and close faculty mentorship. “Faculty and students are very supportive of each other and want to see their peers succeed. The small classes at Richmond lend graduates the opportunity to remain connected with their professors as they enter the workforce.”
Faculty members echo that sentiment, stressing that their ultimate goal goes far beyond exam results. “For many decades, I’ve told my students that by the time they’re 30, I want them to have found a career path that brings them joy,” Hoyle said. “The CPA exam is important, but success is about building a life and career that feels right for each individual.”
With outstanding CPA exam results, strong professional placement, and a culture of mentorship, the Robins School’s accounting program continues to demonstrate why it stands out. For students balancing rigorous academics with a desire to explore their passions, Richmond provides not just a path to passing the CPA exam—but a foundation for a fulfilling career path.