When researching colleges and universities, one of the most commonly used terms in school descriptions is "accredited." Naturally, all schools must have some accreditation in order to be eligible for various federal or state student loan programs. However, have you ever wondered what goes into getting accredited or what it means when a school says they are accredited? For example, if accounting management schools say they are "accredited," what does that mean to you, as a student? There are several organizations which offer accreditation for various schools and universities, with many of these organizations specializing in a particular field of study.

For example, accounting management schools and other institutions offering accounting degree programs might seek out accreditation from AACSB, the International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB offers accreditation to business schools. An accredited school or university can then apply for accreditation for their accounting program through AACSB. In order to be accredited, the school must apply, pay substantial application fees, and if accepted, agree to allow an AACSB mentor to help craft a Standards Alignment Plan. The Plan ensures that courses taught at the school meet the organization's standards for educational value, the depth of information taught, the methods used, and other factors.

It can take well over a year, sometimes even two before accounting management schools and other business-related educational institutions get through the application, pre-accreditation, and accreditation process. This is common whether the school is seeking AACSB accreditation or accreditation from another organization such as ACAT, the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. There are also generalized accrediting agencies that offer accreditation for schools, colleges, and universities based on regional location, specific areas of study, and other factors. A school must have some sort of accreditation in order to be legally recognized by the federal government as an institution for higher learning.

Reputable accounting management schools will normally have a regional or national form of accreditation, such as the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools or the Distance Education and Training Council. They may have a localized or regional accreditation from an organization such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. A particular accounting school might also have AACSB accreditation in addition to regional or national accrediting agency credentials. The more accreditations a school carries, the more professionals and educating experts have reviewed and approved their courses and educational methods.