News & Updates

While the pipeline of CPA-credentialed accounting talent is getting stronger, accounting educators are trying new approaches to attract students, motivate them to take the exam, and help them pass.

As entry-level tasks are automated, the focus of training will shift to judgment, simulation, and continuous upskilling.

The Profession Ready Initiative is designed to identify the skills that early-career CPAs need to succeed today and over the near term. The academic community is a vital partner in the success of this initiative and in the success of early-career talent.

Despite an evolving business landscape and the rapid rise of automation and analytics, the core reasons for choosing accounting remain stronger than ever — and in many ways, more compelling.

On Feb. 26, 2026, the VSCPA submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Reimagining and Improving Student Education.”

The accounting profession is sending a clear message on skills: workforce readiness at the early-career level has become a pivotal challenge as the business environment grows more complex and technology continues to reshape how CPAs work.  To address the skills gap, the American Institute of CPAs is launching an important effort to develop and strengthen young CPA talent: the Profession Ready Initiative.  

While H.R. 1, P.L. 119–21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), extended and instituted a wide range of tax provisions, a number of its provisions directly and indirectly affect higher education.

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/feb/aicpa-supports-accounting-stem-pursuit-act-legislation

In addition to imparting subject knowledge and accomplishing the stated learning objectives, it’s important to prepare students to be professionals by providing them with perspective.

Every VSCPA scholar carries with them a story of ambition, discovery and the drive to succeed. Meet Marisa Cooke, an undergraduate senior at Virginia Tech and proud VSCPA Foundation scholarship recipient. Her journey into accounting is one of unexpected inspiration, bold decisions, and a growing passion for making a difference through the profession.

Accounting undergraduate enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities rose for the third consecutive year in fall 2025, outpacing growth overall for undergraduate institutions, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.

The CPA profession now offers dynamic, technology-driven career paths that extend far beyond traditional tax and audit work. One of the most promising paths is client advisory services (CAS), a rapidly growing niche in which accountants combine financial expertise, technology, and business insight to help organizations grow.

The VSCPA, along with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and other state CPA societies, strongly opposes any proposal that fails to recognize accounting as a professional degree program.

The VSCPA's advocacy related to the new 120-credit hour CPA pathway was featured in this November 2025 Virginia Business article. (Subscription may be required to view.)

This article outlines the structure of the alternative pathway and discusses its advantages and challenges, drawing insights from industry professionals and academic experts. It also provides an overview of ongoing alternative pathway adoption efforts across the United States. Finally, it examines the impact of CPA Evolution on CPA Exam pass rates over the past year.

Every VSCPA scholar carries with them a story of ambition, discovery and the drive to succeed. Meet Juan Chan, an undergraduate senior at George Mason University and 2025 VSCPA Foundation scholarship recipient.

The desire to hire new accounting graduates remains strong among public accounting firms, and signs point to a possible turning of the tide when it comes to supply meeting demand, according to data from the AICPA’s biennial Trends report.

The AICPA and state societies, including the VSCPA, have pledged strong support for accounting education programs to gain STEM status, and the idea also has backing from the majority of respondents in a new survey.

The once-boring job of accounting is now being recognized by Gen Z for what it is: An amazing career with six-figure potential.

Lower starting salaries compared to those in other professions have long been seen as a challenge in recruiting students into the accounting talent pipeline. 2025 MAP Survey results released Wednesday show CPA firms are boosting compensation for new graduates.