There is a movement afoot by the state CPA societies to reconsider whether the fifth year of an accounting program that offers the student a Master’s in Accounting is worth the cost, not to mention the increased complexity of business requiring as much exposure and experience as necessary to groom the younger professionals.
However, there is a shortage of 300,000 CPA candidates entering the profession’s pipeline. That's why several states are seeking to eliminate, modify or enhance the educational/experiential model.
Sacks discusses the dilemma of education versus experience with accounting expert David Bergstein, CPA, the chief innovation officer for Bergstein CPA and teaching adjunct for Valencia College.