The American Institute of CPAs’ Council held their first-ever virtual council meeting, where they elected a new chair and approved the CPA Evolution model that AICPA and NASBA have been developing with a focus on more technology skills. This, along with an updated CPA Exam to reflect the changes, is expected to be available in January 2024.
What is the CPA Evolution?
The CPA Evolution licensure model approved by the AICPA Council will center around a core in accounting, auditing, tax and technology. CPA candidates are then able to choose a discipline – such as tax compliance and planning, business reporting and analysis, or information systems and controls – where they can demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge to accommodate the changing needs of clients and businesses.
What does this mean for you?
For future candidates, this could be a pretty big change. But it’s founded by research by the AICPA and NASBA into firm hiring habits. Ultimately, the mix in who they’re hiring has changed.
Accounting firms are hiring substantially more non-CPAs because their business mix has changed and there’s a need for different skills. This is where the CPA Evolution licensure model comes in – designed to help CPA candidates prepare themselves to enter into a diverse workforce and stand out.