BOARD BRIEF

The Latest Activities With The Board

• Highlights were given from the March AICPA Regional Council meeting update. Topics included consideration of potential threats to mobility as states are looking at changing licensure requirements.

• Pipeline challenges continue to dominate the profession as many baby boomers retire and we continue to see a decreasing trend in students majoring in accounting across the nation. Utah is holding steady; there is still cause for concern, however.

Susan Speirs, CPA

“My husband and I get to go on a longawaited adventure in Alaska later this summer. On the docket is glacier gazing, hiking with the bears, sightseeing through Glacier Bay National Park and, of course, some salmon fishing.”

• Legislation has been dropped in the state of Minnesota that would provide a pathway to licensure at 120 hours with a requirement of additional work experience. Discussion about 120 v. 150 covered whether the education requirement is a threat to the profession or whether the lack of attractiveness is in “front and center.” The AICPA has drafted a Pipeline Acceleration Plan that addresses Education and Experience, Learn and Earn Program that would be developed within the AICPA. Concern has been expressed whether the program would be substantially equivalent as per the Uniform Accountancy Act and whether they should even be creating a program.

• Leadership Council was held June 16 at Little America. The topic was 120 v. 150. Representatives from the AICPA, NASBA and AAA were invited to participate in the conversation.