I have listened to the debates over education requirements for becoming a CPA. I have spoken to NYCPA members across the state, and I have followed the discussions taking place across the country. I have also followed the actions of regulators and legislators. Analysis and opinions on the subject have appear throughout the pages of The CPA Journal. It’s a healthy debate, and one that engaged professionals at any stage of their career should take an interest in.
Most recently, the debate over education and licensure has led to proposals from a variety of corners that would shake up the status quo. The AICPA and NASBA have proposed a new “Competency-Based Experience Pathway” that would substitute experience working for a CPA evaluator for the additional 30 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree. Their proposal takes a future-oriented mindset and confronts the pipeline challenge facing the profession. The NYCPA convened a task force to reply to this exposure draft and set forth our own alternative pathway to balancing education and experience while maintaining the public trust. I would encourage everyone to read our letter, other comment letters, and of course the proposal itself. Be an active participant in the conversation.
While the thought leaders of the profession might have different ideas about what to do, we share the common goal of ensuring that tomorrow’s CPAs are sufficiently prepared for the dynamic, changing, and increasingly technology-driven practice environment they will face. Any new licensing model should ensure that the next generation of CPAs receives the education and experience they need to succeed while mitigating unnecessary barriers to entry and expanding the pipeline to the profession.
On another note, this issue of The CPA Journal is labeled September–December, rather than September/October. In order to get the production of The CPA Journal better aligned with the calendar, we felt that the best course of action was to produce a longer issue to close out this year. As you read through this issue and the issues to come next year, I think you will agree that we are still providing the same thoughtful analysis and practical advice that you have come to expect from the Journal. And as you digest the various perspectives on education offered in the pages of this issue, I hope you will join the conversation. Let us know what you think. And let us know how the NYCPA can ensure students receive an education that prepares them for professional competencies they need, can support educators with practical resources, and can help today’s professionals meet their needs of lifelong learning.
Ever Upward!
