EX-99.J 3 0003.txt CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Financial Highlights" and "Independent Auditors" and to the use of our report dated February 3, 2000 on the 1999 financial statements of Acorn Fund, Acorn International, Acorn USA, Acorn Twenty and Acorn Foreign Forty, comprising Acorn Investment Trust and its incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form N-1A) and in the related Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in this Post- Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration No. 2-34223) and in the Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Registration No. 811-1829). ERNST & YOUNG LLP Chicago, Illinois September 15, 2000