Accruing More Talent

Online certificate can address the declining supply of accounting professionals

BY DR. JANET MASSEY

AT UNIVERSITIES in the region and across the country, the number of accounting graduates has been decreasing over the past several years. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, enrollment in undergraduate programs and graduate programs are well below pre-pandemic levels.

Undergraduate programs are down about 1.23 million students while graduate programs are down by 1.11 million students as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse (1.) According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), accounting undergraduate enrollments are down 4% and graduate accounting enrollment is down by 7% (2.) The downward trend in undergraduate and graduate programs across the nation is presenting serious marketplace challenges for businesses that need accountants.

So, it is safe to say that accounting professionals are in short supply. The good news for accounting professionals, sited by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is that career opportunities in accounting will increase over the years 2021 to 2031 by about 136,400 job opportunities per year (3).

To help individuals jumpstart a career in accounting and prepare for new opportunities in the field, Neumann University has launched a certificate in accounting fraud and forensics. This 12-credit program is fully online and can be completed in one year. It is designed to teach the key principles of forensic accounting, fraud, and cybersecurity—fields that have been growing, especially since the pandemic.

The new certificate has been designed to address the short supply of professionals and satisfy the growing job opportunities in the field of accounting.

Even if an individual’s undergraduate degree is in something other than accounting, the Neumann certificate program is a way to acquire the credentials to enter the field.

Fraud accounting or preventative accounting is needed in businesses to help professionals analyze trends in various accounts that are vulnerable to fraud and help strengthen the security of those accounts. Corporate Financial Executives estimate they lose 5% of their revenue each year due to fraud.

Asset misappropriation schemes, financial statement fraud schemes, and corruption are among the most common causes of revenue loss (4). Professionals who can recognize fraud schemes are in demand.

In addition to the new certificate, Neumann introduced a master’s degree in accounting with an emphasis in fraud and forensics several years ago. The program is a great way to enhance one’s knowledge in the field of forensic accounting and help to obtain the 150 credit hours needed to sit for the CPA exam. 

1. National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. February, 2023. Current Term Enrollment Estimates.

2. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 2021 Trends Report.

3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. September 8, 2022. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors.

4. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. 2022. Occupational Fraud 2022: A report to the Nations.

Dr. Janet Massey is the accounting program director at Neumann University. To learn more about the online certificate in accounting fraud and forensics, visit www.neumann.edu/accountingcert.