These new pathways are redefining education and experience requirements. For some jurisdictions, the new pathways to licensure become effective in 2025. NASBA has created a list of jurisdictions that have already signed new licensure pathways into law. The list displays the effective date and summary information for each new licensure pathway.
Center for Accounting Education
Who We Are
“Cultivating the next generation of leaders in the accounting profession where different interests and identities can thrive.”
The Center for Accounting Education (CAE) is a think tank committed to the development of supportive workplaces in the accounting profession. Our reputation is built on developing nationally recognized leadership programs, career development pathways, and trusted research with tangible goals. CAE provides innovative initiatives that address recruitment, retention and advancement. Through this objective we support the students and faculty of Howard University and serve as a model for other institutions.
Participant Spotlight
Lauren’s Journey to Accounting is in Balance
Lauren’s path to discovering her passion for accounting began with an unexpected twist. As a high school student with a strong interest in business, she intended to apply for the School of Business' Summer Enrichment Entrepreneurship Program. But due to a mix-up, she accidentally selected the Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)—sponsored by NABA Inc. and hosted by CAE.
Initially heartbroken, Lauren leaned on her mother’s advice to stick with the program—and it turned out to be a life-changing decision.
Through immersive experiences with accounting firms, engaging sessions with faculty, and inspiring conversations with NABA Inc. President Guylaine Saint Juste, Lauren discovered a new passion. The ACAP experience not only introduced her to the world of accounting but also gave her a sense of belonging and ownership over her future.
A pivotal part of Lauren’s ACAP experience was her interaction with Howard University accounting students, who served as counselors and mentors throughout the program. Their guidance, professionalism, and authenticity left a lasting impression. Being on the campus of **Howard University—The Mecca—**deeply resonated with Lauren and strongly influenced her decision to choose Howard for her undergraduate studies. She saw herself reflected in the students and felt empowered to envision a future in which she could thrive both academically and professionally.
Today, Lauren is a freshman accounting major, boldly committed to the profession. She knows the journey won’t be easy, but thanks to ACAP, she understands what the field demands—and she’s ready to stay the course.
About Us
Seventeen years ago, the Howard University School of Business Center for Accounting Education (CAE) was reestablished under the leadership of Frank Ross, a retired KPMG Managing Partner. Since then, it has flourished into one of the premier leadership programs in the nation. CAE has become a leading national resource center for the accounting profession. CAE provides effective, results-driven programs; profession-wide collaboration; action oriented and focused research. We offer a program for every career step - from attracting African American students into the profession to developing future African American leaders. During our 20-year history, more than 5,000 students and young professionals have benefitted from the myriad of leadership sessions CAE has developed with the assistance of a group of stakeholders representing the major accounting firms in the nation.
CAE conducts and publishes academic research into the challenges of attracting, advancing, and retaining African Americans in accounting and uses these findings to develop meaningful, effective programs to help the profession achieve its goals. Profession-wide collaboration is accomplished through our constant exchange of ideas from the international, regional, minority-owned accounting firms, state societies and AICPA working together - most of whom are CAE stakeholders. With financial support from this group of stakeholders, CAE has been able to launch leadership programs, seminars, and research studies. Each one of these initiatives is designed to increase the number of African Americans successfully advancing through the ranks of the accounting profession.
Our flagship program - We're About Success! - was the very first leadership skills development program developed by CAE in 2004 and launched in June 2005. Because of the unique challenges young African Americans face when entering the accounting profession, this program offers sessions that will prepare them to successfully confront the rigors of the industry. Our goal is to increase the confidence of young accountants to competently compete and help develop the groundwork they need to maneuver to the top ranks of their firms.
CAE recognizes that the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation represents the pinnacle of the accounting profession. Program participants are encouraged to take and pass the CPA exam early in their career as well as obtain the other professional credentials needed to advance in their specific practice area.
Featured Program
Leadership Skills Development Program for College Students
We’re About Success! is CAE’s mantra! Our one-day College Program works to bridge the culture and skill gaps between university and the workforce. In partnership with stakeholder and sponsor firms, CAE designs a curriculum that promotes leadership development through essential skills and competencies that are required not only for a successful transition, but a rewarding long-term career. Sessions include:
- Organizational culture – How do you align?
- Building Resilience Along the Way to Becoming a Professional
- Envisioning a You-nique You!
- Establishing Influence in Professional Networks
Email caehusb@howard.edu to learn more.
Publications
Reinforcing DEI Accountability
Sustainability of the accounting profession is a shared responsibility among key stakeholders within a unique ecosystem... Current discourse on licensure requirements is a critical and timely example of how this ecosystem engages in addressing perceived hurdles to pursuing accounting careers and certification. Another area of importance continues to be diversity.
Skills Required to Succeed in Public Accounting: Perceptions of Black and White Accountants
We explore an understudied impact of race in public accounting careers: differences in perceptions of the skills necessary to succeed. Based on data collected from surveys of approximately 1,400 public accountants, we find that although the skills perceived as necessary to succeed are the same for all accountants (ie, technical and interpersonal, practice development, social interactions, and academic achievement), practice development and social interactions are perceived as significantly more important to Black accountants.
Do social networks improve the chance of obtaining challenging assignments?
We examine how social networks may influence the likelihood of Black professionals being placed on challenging assignments, which contributes to career advancement. Using a survey of 381 Black accounting professionals, we find that the key factors to obtaining challenging assignments include having access to social networks, the ability to establish social networks, and having a mentor who opens the door to challenging assignments.
Presentations
Empowering HBCU Faculty for the Future of Accounting Education
CAE and PwC Join Forces in Atlanta Training Session to Upskill Faculty
The HBCU Faculty Forum engaged accounting professors in hands-on, interactive session that demonstrated the real-world application of AI in classroom settings. The training highlighted practical strategies for incorporating AI tools into course content, empowering professors to begin integrating these technologies immediately to better prepare their students for the digital future of the accounting profession.
2024 American Education Research Association Annual Meeting
Paper Presentation: How Community Colleges Serve as Incubators for the Next Generation of Accountants
The decline in accounting graduates and the increase in accountant retirements are material weaknesses that threaten the economic competitiveness of the U.S. This paper presents a meaningful and effective program that has demonstrated an increased interest in the accounting profession among community college students, which motivated them to transfer to a bachelor's program. The Accounting Scholars Development Program establishes a partnership between community college students and accounting professionals to provide an immersive learning experience. Outcomes show that participants have a transfer rate of 75 percent, which is significantly higher than the national average.
In the News
New Licensure Pathways
Mentoring and Preparing Students and Young Professionals for the CPA Evolution
Changes to the format of the CPA exam have been part of the AICPA and NASBA initiative to re-develop the CPA exam to meet the demands of the ever-changing accounting profession.
Stakeholders
Partners
