The problem: Fewer college students are choosing to major in accounting. That’s just a fact. While the decline is attributed to a number of factors (shrinking college enrollments, new majors in data analysis, etc.), the CPA profession MUST respond to ensure the profession is viable for future generations.
The solution: The VSCPA, along with other professional accounting organizations, is attacking the pipeline problem head on. Here’s how.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
Offering scholarships
We provide more than $50,000 in scholarships each year to deserving Virginia accounting students, including multiple minority scholarships. Learn more about our scholarship application process.
Encouraging diversity
We are committed to promoting the benefits of the CPA for the next generation and ensuring the profession increases its diversity to remain vibrant and relevant. Here’s a special page that details all of our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts for students. We also committed $10,000 to become a partner with Accounting+.
Connecting students to info and resources
In addition to a free college student membership, we offer a variety of programming throughout the year, such as virtual Lunch & Learns on CPA Evolution and the CPA Exam, Accounting Career Experience videos, articles, Exam review discounts and more. See all our student and educator initiatives.
Addressing pipeline issues head on
In 2023, the VSCPA Board of Directors convened a special task force to investigate if the 150-hour educational requirement for CPA licensure is affecting the CPA pipeline. VSCPA members receive special reports, such as the 2023 Recruitment Guide, to help them attract new talent to the profession. We also support national initiatives to address the pipeline, such as CPA Evolution, and offer input.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate to the scholarship fund
The VSCPA Educational Foundation awards more than $55,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral scholarships, including many minority scholarships. Your donations really make an impact! Learn more here.
Inspire and engage
CPAs can connect directly to middle school, high school and college students via our CPAs in the Classroom program. We provide presentation help and materials. Your organization can also become a work-based learning business partner with the Virginia Department of Education.
Share your accounting love
Connect with the VSCPA’s pipeline initiatives and engage with students directly via social media! Follow VSCPA social media accounts as well as Accounting+ to reshare. Create posts highlighting your CPA career and/or organization to inspire students. Use the VSCPA’s two hashtags: #CountOnCPAs and #CPAsGiveBack. Here are some sample posts to get you started.
Stay updated
The VSCPA offers several ways to stay abreast of CPA pipeline developments, like virtual Professional Issues Updates on the topic, volunteer training, original articles in Disclosures magazine and more.