Plan to accelerate talent pipeline solutions

The accounting profession is grappling with a talent shortage. Meaningful, quick action is needed. That action must be anchored in data that identifies root causes and measures the impact of new and existing efforts.

In its role as a national convener of stakeholders, the AICPA is creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration to address the underlying challenges and build the pipeline of future CPAs. Together with state CPA societies, accounting firms, academia, state boards of accountancy, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) and others, we can make a difference.

Considerable attention, discussion, investment, and research is being focused on a range of initiatives at each stage of the CPA pipeline — from the CAQ-led Accounting+ student awareness campaign to CPA Evolution and the launch of the new CPA Exam in January 2024.
In collaboration with stakeholders, the AICPA has identified initiatives that address the following key areas:

• Awareness: Increasing awareness about the accounting profession and promoting the benefits of a career in accounting
  

• Improved perceptions: Dispelling outdated perceptions and leveraging updated, positive messaging that can help the profession resonate with today’s students
  

• Training and education: Providing high-quality accounting education and training opportunities
  

• Firm culture and business models: Equipping firms with the tools to offer competitive salaries and benefits, as well as career advancement opportunities and compelling work
  

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Attracting and retaining a broader range of talent
  

• Partnering with educational institutions: Affiliating with colleges and universities to offer internships, scholarships, and other programs to attract individuals to the profession, help defray costs, and assist students in developing the skills needed to succeed as a CPA.
  

As part of building this larger, cohesive effort, the AICPA is partnering with stakeholders to implement activities in the near, medium, and long term that address certain root causes of pipeline issues. This plan should be viewed as one set of priority initiatives but not as an exhaustive look at all pipeline efforts. The title of the plan has changed to reflect the expansion beyond the eight initiatives that were introduced earlier this year as a starting point for input and discussion. Certain additions and expansions to the plan have been made based on recent feedback and are outlined in this version of the plan.