Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business Joins Expanded Award-winning KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program

Program now reaches nine universities; similar programs launched globally by KPMG International member firms

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NEW YORK, New York and WACO, Texas (Aug. 3, 2017) - Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business is joining the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program, a one-of-a-kind initiative that audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP developed to prepare accounting students for the digital marketplace.

The school's inclusion is part of an expansion of the program that increases the number of participating schools from two to nine, and includes a tax component at one of the new schools in the program.

"This curriculum partnership with KPMG will help our students develop the skills needed to thrive as the accounting and tax professions change. By working with KPMG, we'll be able to provide our students with real-world problems and scenarios so that they're equipped from their very first day of work to make a significant contribution to their employers and to the profession," said Terry S. Maness, D.B.A., dean of Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business.

"KPMG's expanded investment in the data and analytics program demonstrates the firm's commitment to the future of the audit and tax professions," said Frank Casal, KPMG's U.S. Vice Chair - Audit. "We're pleased to include prestigious institutions like Baylor University, which shares this focus and is equally passionate about their students building advanced skills in accounting, tax and data analytics that they can bring into the marketplace."

In August 2016, KPMG disrupted the education and recruiting experience for the audit profession by collaborating with the Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business and the Villanova School of Business to launch the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program. Fifty-one students accepted to the program's inaugural class will begin their studies at those two schools in the fall of 2017.

KPMG's program provides each school with access to proprietary KPMG technologies and integrates easily into their academic programs.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently awarded the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program its "2017 Recruiting Excellence Award," which recognizes excellence in recruiting best practices, including attracting talent, selection process, training and development of new hires, and retention. Those interested in learning more about the program, including how to apply, should visit http://www.kpmgmasters.com. A related video may be accessed at https://youtu.be/aN4JTWyrP-A.

Other schools joining the program include:

• Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business
• The University of Georgia's Terry College of Business
• The University of Mississippi's Patterson School of Accountancy
• The University of Missouri's Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business
• The University of Southern California, Leventhal School of Accounting
• Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business

The program's expansion to Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business will focus on incorporating KPMG technology and proprietary audit tools into the school's Master of Accounting curriculum, allowing KPMG to further broaden the scope of student education through technology investments.

Globally, KPMG International's Ireland member firm launched a similar program in March with the National University Ireland Galway, and its South Africa member firm is piloting a program at the University of Witwatersrand. Several other KPMG member firms are also pursuing additional similar relationships in their respective countries.

About Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's independent member firms have 189,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 152 countries.

About Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business
Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business cultivates principled leaders and serves the global marketplace through transformational learning and impactful scholarship in a culture of innovation guided by Christian values. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the School offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study, as well as doctoral programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship and Health Services Research.