Accounting research excellence drives UH Mānoa’s rise in world rankings

Contact:

Link to broll: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/FgUbxJYzAT

The School of Accountancy in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Shidler College of Business is gaining international recognition for its growing influence in accounting research, highlighted by a steady rise in the Brigham Young University (BYU) Accounting Research Rankings.

Over the past decade, the School of Accountancy has moved steadily upward in the highly regarded rankings, climbing from No. 113 to No. 75 worldwide in the area of archival financial accounting research. This sustained momentum is built on the dedication, collaboration and intellectual vitality of its faculty, whose work appears in top peer-reviewed journals. Their insightful research explores how accounting information influences business decisions, investor behavior and public policy.

"Our steady rise in the BYU rankings reflects years of collective dedication to rigorous, high-impact research," said Hamid Pourjalali, director of the School of Accountancy. "Our faculty are advancing the field of accounting while contributing to the global dialogue that shapes how research informs practice, policy and education."

The rankings, compiled by the BYU School of Accountancy, are widely regarded as one of the most credible, data-driven measures of research productivity in the discipline. Unlike perception-based systems, BYU's rankings evaluate verified publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and classify research by topic-such as financial, managerial, auditing and tax-and by methodology, including archival, analytical and experimental approaches. This framework provides a transparent and objective assessment of faculty productivity and institutional strength across the global accounting community.

UH Mānoa now stands among respected peers such as Boston College, the London School of Economics, Purdue University, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine-a reflection of the School of Accountancy's alignment with Shidler College's mission to advance thought leadership on a global scale.

For students, this recognition translates to a richer academic experience, where classroom learning is informed by cutting-edge, globally relevant research. The school's faculty expertise spans areas such as financial reporting, corporate governance, international accounting, taxation and sustainability reporting, preparing graduates to navigate complex business environments and emerging issues in accounting and finance. At the institutional level, the school's rising profile enhances opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers and universities worldwide.

"We're proud of how far we've come-and even more excited about where we're headed," said Pourjalali. "Our progress in the BYU rankings reflects our faculty's vision and drive to make lasting contributions to accounting scholarship and to prepare future leaders who think critically and globally."