KPMG US to add tax program at VSB and USC to its Master of Accounting Program

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) and the University of Southern California (USC) Leventhal School of Accounting is adding a tax programme to the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program.

The course will be offered for the start of the 2020-21 academic year.

VSB and USC are among nine universities throughout the US involved with the KPMG programme. The schools follow the University of Mississippi’s Patterson School of Accountancy in including tax in their curriculum.

A select number of students attending eight of the nine universities will receive full tuition funding plus a stipend toward room and board. Approximately 195 students will receive sponsorships for the class of 2021.

Additionally, students will take part in an internship with a KPMG audit or tax team during the course of the program. Full time positions will also be offered upon graduation.

Since the launch of the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics program in August 2016, there have been 51 student graduations. Another 134 students are expected to earn their degrees this summer and begin working full time at KPMG in autumn.

Americas vice chairman in tax at KPMG Jeffrey LeSage said: “Disruptive new technologies and the growing urgency among many companies to reimagine their tax function are requiring tax professionals to expand their skills and knowledge beyond their traditional tax technical competencies.

"We're excited that this expansion of the tax concentration within the KPMG master's program at top universities will help prepare tax and accounting professionals for the future."

KPMG’s audit vice chair, Frank Casal, added: "The program positions the participants and the firm to offer a unique perspective on how advances in emerging technologies will continue to enhance quality in the profession."

Applications for the programme are being accepted throughout May 2019 for the 2020-21 academic year.

 

By Asena Degirmenci