Accounting has a problem. You've probably heard the warnings about an impending talent crisis in the profession. Simply put, demand is outpacing supply.
Here’s the deal. Earning that coveted CPA license requires 150 credit hours, equivalent to five years of college education. That’s no small feat for students. This decades-old rule deters many from pursuing accounting degrees and careers.
But what if there was a better way? On the Accounting Podcast, Dr. Sharon Lassar floats an idea. As the director of the School of Accountancy at the University of Denver, she knows a thing or two about education requirements.
Her proposal? Replace the 150 hours with a “bachelor’s degree + two years experience” requirement for initial CPA licensure.
Get this - research shows this model would increase candidate volume by 15% without lowering quality. More students can realistically strive for licensure by removing an unnecessary time barrier.
Of course, it’s not quite so simple. On the podcast, Dr. Lassar thoughtfully addresses concerns around impacts to graduate programs and cross-state mobility for CPAs.
So will the upside outweigh the risks of changing requirements? Could more dynamic education options be the key to reversing the talent shortage?
Tune in to hear Dr. Lassar's compelling case and decide where you stand on revising the 150 hour rule. This hot-button issue is pivotal to the profession's future.
