CPA

Could This Be the Fix for the Accounting Talent Shortage?

Could This Be the Fix for the Accounting Talent Shortage?

Earning a CPA license requires 150 credit hours, deterring many students from pursuing accounting. On the Accounting Podcast, Dr. Sharon Lassar of the University of Denver proposes replacing the 150 hours with a “bachelor’s degree + 2 years experience” pathway to the CPA exam. Research shows this would increase candidate volume by 15% without lowering quality by removing an unnecessary time barrier. Lassar makes a compelling case for updating licensing based on facts, addressing concerns around impacts on graduate programs and cross-state mobility. Listen now to understand the 150-hour rule controversy and whether revising requirements could help reverse the talent shortage in the accounting profession.

CPA Mobility: Separating Fact From Fiction

CPA Mobility: Separating Fact From Fiction

The article clarifies facts around mobility, examining how states can thoughtfully modify licensing requirements without restricting the cross-border practice abilities of CPAs. It busts common myths and sheds light on the nuances that enable licensing updates while sustaining license portability.

6 Myths About CPA Mobility And Substantial Equivalency

6 Myths About CPA Mobility And Substantial Equivalency

It’s time to separate mobility fact from fiction in the 150-hour debate,. David Knoble, Chair of the South Carolina Association of CPAs, joined my podcast — The Accounting Podcast — to bust myths and clarify the nuances around CPA mobility. Here are just a few myths he busted.

Rethinking the CPA 150-hour requirement: There must be a change

Rethinking the CPA 150-hour requirement: There must be a change

If we want a robust, dynamic, and inclusive accounting profession, we need to remove costly and unnecessary barriers to becoming a CPA. In my latest article on the Firm of the Future blog, I delve into the challenges associated with the CPA 150-hour education requirement.

The cost of the 150-hour rule: $2 billion

The cost of the 150-hour rule: $2 billion

What is the cost of the 150-hour rule to becoming a CPA in the US? Based on my calculations, the accounting profession spends at least $2 billion per year on the fifth year of education. The cost to each candidate often exceeds $100,000. Read my post on Accounting Today to learn how I got to that number.

Jimmy Corley says "We need to take a hard look" at the 150 hour rule for CPA licensure

What do the states think about NASBA and AICPA's efforts to quash the Minnesota Society of CPAs effort to create an alternative CPA pathway — one that doesn’t include a 5th year of education?

How to fix the leaky CPA pipeline

How to fix the leaky CPA pipeline

We have a CPA pipeline problem. At the current rate, we aren’t minting nearly enough new CPAs to replace those who will be retiring soon. Here's how to fix it.