NEWS & VIEWS Experiential learning: An evolution in how knowledge is obtained by prospective CPAs Editor’s note: Debates continue throughout the profession on the best ways to address our depleted talent pipeline. Reasoned arguments and thoughtful ideas abound — including an AICPA pilot program called the Experience, Learn and Earn Program. While the MACPA has not taken a position on these arguments, it continues to seek insightful ideas to add to the conversation. With that in mind, we offer the following opinion piece from Joseph Petito, Esq., a retired principal with PwC and former legislative manager with the AICPA who now serves on Maryland’s Board of Public Accountancy. We encourage you to seek new ideas, keep an open mind, and play your own role in solving our pipeline challenges by rediscovering your passion for our profession and sharing it with others. F RO M J O S E P H P E TITO, E SQ .
No policy issue has dominated the accounting profession over the past several decades as much as accountant education — specifically, the 150-hour education requirement.
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As the AICPA and NASBA consider new ways to enhance the attractiveness of the profession to counter a drop in accounting student enrollments and retain them while they proceed through to the CPA exam (the “pipeline” to becoming a CPA), the
150-hour education requirement is both on and off the table for discussion — off the table as a discussion topic for the AICPA and NASBA as they develop a new Pipeline Acceleration Plan, yet on the table for numerous state CPA societies, large CPA
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