Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants

1650 West 82nd Street, Ste 600
Bloomington MN 55431
Ph: 952-831-2707 Fax: 952-831-7875
www.mncpa.org

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Broadening Pathways to CPA Licensure

Stay informed about this effort and our progress

Why

Find out why the MNCPA and other groups are advocating to address the pipeline.

Mobility

Read how mobility and substantial equivalency are key parts of the conversation.

Objections

See what the objections to changes are and thoughts about navigating them.

Timeline

May 20, 2024
Legislature adjourns. Pathways bill to return in 2025.

Why

Find out why the MNCPA and other groups are advocating to address the pipeline.

Mobility

Read how mobility and substantial equivalency are key parts of the conversation.

Objections

See what the objections to changes are and thoughts about navigating them.

Timeline

May 20, 2024
The Minnesota Legislature adjourns for the year without the pathways legislation becoming law.

How we arrived here

The MNCPA continues to address critical challenges facing the CPA profession. Introduced in 2023 (House File 1749 and Senate File 1660), the proposed legislation aims to broaden the pathways to CPA licensure. The MNCPA board, having engaged in years of discussions with members regarding the CPA pipeline, advocated for these changes. The 2024 legislative session ended without a resolution, but the MNCPA intends to reintroduce the legislation in 2025.

With decreasing high school graduations, a heightened demand for CPAs, a surge in retirements and a decline in CPA exam candidates, the profession is at a pivotal crossroads. Looking forward, the legislation offers two new pathways, including one that requires 120 college credits and two years' work experience, providing a more accessible route compared to the current 150-credit and one-year work experience requirement.

Explore the conversation further

The broadening the pathways initiative has received plenty of attention from accounting- and business-related media, as well as a bevy of opinion pieces about the state of the profession and how the MNCPA efforts can shape the future. Catch up on the coverage!

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Issues facing the profession

BARRIERS: Cost of a fifth year of college, delayed earnings, fewer high school graduates, fewer college students pursuing accounting.

DEMAND: There are not enough CPAs to provide the very needed — and growing services — required by public accounting firms, businesses, governmental entities and nonprofits.

PROTECTION: The financial stability of communities, organizations and individuals are in peril because there are not enough CPAs.

“The profession is facing a challenge and, potentially, a crisis if we don’t make changes that will attract more students to the profession. As a board, we are seeking to explore other alternatives to meeting the 150-hour education credit requirement while maintaining the high degree of professionalism and standards expected of the CPA profession and its representatives.”

Bob Cedergren, CPA, partner, Wipfli LLP