It’s Past Time to Rethink Andrew Brajcich, CPA, JD, LLM In my role as chair of the WSCPA Board of Directors, I’ve been learning about professional issues on the national scene, particularly the CPA pipeline shortage. I am hopeful that after the Washington State Board of Accountancy (WBOA) meeting on October 20, our state will be well on its way to having the broadest window to pass all four sections of the CPA exam. During its October rule-making meeting, the WBOA will be accepting public input on a rule change that would grant exam candidates 36 months to complete the CPA exam. The WBOA may take final action during this meeting as well. Expanding this window is one of many steps needed to reduce unnecessary barriers to entry into our profession and help with the CPA pipeline shortage.
is the 150-credit hour rule. Our fellow CPAs in Minnesota took a bold step in January of this year and offered an alternative pathway to the profession. The Minnesota Society of CPAs introduced legislation that provides for CPA licensure once candidates have earned 120 credit hours and have completed additional work experience. South Carolina soon followed suit. This proposed legislation would not eliminate the 150-credit hour route to CPA, rather it offers an additional, alternative option—a pathway that is already offered to international candidates in some circumstances. Some of our finest professionals today were licensed with only 120 credit hours, including CLA CEO Jen Leary, who is among the increasing voices who are asking, “Why 150?”1
There are many barriers that may deter students from entering and remaining in the profession. The one I continually hear about, from our members and from articles and studies on the subject,
Arguments in favor of maintaining the status quo seem to be evolving. A position I hear often is that we are a learned profession (which we are) and the additional credits make us akin to the
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The Washington CPA Fall 2023
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