Fairfield Dolan Accounting Grads #2 Among Top Hires at Big Four Firms

Fairfield Dolan alumni, along with Wake Forest grads, are the most likely to get hired by a Big Four accounting firm, according to higher ed research group, OnlineU.

Higher education research group OnlineU recently published a study showing Fairfield University is second among colleges with the highest number of alumni working at Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PwC). 

Analysis of LinkedIn alumni data of more than 300,000 accounting graduates, from nearly 100 colleges over the past decade, found 21.98 percent of Fairfield Dolan's Accounting program alumni working at Big Four firms — second to Wake Forest — and in a virtual tie with Lehigh University at 21.95 percent.

The news comes as no surprise as Fairfield Dolan continues to rise in national rankings. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Dolan’s undergraduate Accounting program at #21 nationally, and Dolan's MS in Accounting graduate program at #14 among the nation's 2022 Best Grad Business Specialty Programs.

Fairfield Dolan’s Accounting program offers students an innovative and integrated approach to business studies. Students acquire the conceptual and technical knowledge to develop, measure, analyze, and validate financial information. The program focuses on preparing graduates to succeed in an environment that increasingly requires grounding in ethical, legal, and regulatory matters. Dolan faculty — CPAs with extensive industry experience — stress the importance of technology in accounting and financial reporting, auditing, and tax, while taking a personal interest in developing a student’s professional foundation and personal potential.

“It is exciting to see validation of what we knew about our Accounting program's outstanding job placement,” said Fairfield Dolan Associate Dean and professor of marketing Anca Micu, PhD. “We are proud of our Dolan graduates who successfully pursue such meaningful careers.”

In recent years, 95 percent of all Fairfield Dolan MS in Accounting program grads have secured jobs with Big Four firms Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, or PwC, or regional firms. In addition to offices across the U.S. and worldwide, Big Four firms have headquarters in New York City, conveniently located just an hour south of Fairfield’s campus.

Related Stories