THE STATE OF ACCOUNTING EDUCATION: HOW TO APPEAL TO THE NEXT GENERATION By STEVEN J. BUDRYK, CPA, MS TRAPHAGEN CPAs AND WEALTH ADVISORS
I was taught from a young age that education is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you. Every piece of paper that comes across your desk is a learning opportunity.
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FALL 2024 | NEW JERSEY CPA
The classroom was a space for me to digest different facts, circumstances and opinions and even compare it to industry through my internship. After completing my undergraduate degree, my graduate degree, the CPA Exam and continuing education courses, I returned to the classroom, becoming the youngest adjunct professor at Ramapo College of New Jersey. This new role has afforded me the opportunity to have a direct impact not only on accounting students, but on the state of accounting education. The current generation of accounting students are as interested in learning outside the classroom as they are inside the classroom. New accounting platforms allow for both in-class learning and outside experiential learning. This new paradigm incorporates a broader curriculum, including data analytics, information technology and a greater importance on communication to interpret the results to the end user.
otherwise, students not only obtain the vital credits for graduation and stay on course for the 150-credit CPA licensure requirement, they gain valuable experience. y Work-for-credit programs. Students can apply for these, which assist with obtaining the additional 30 credits after receiving an undergraduate degree. In addition, students should focus on new skills that are in demand in the workplace, including: y Public speaking. Communication is the number-one skill for accounting students to master. Those who can effectively articulate their findings to not only educators, but their peers as well, will position themselves for greater learning and work opportunities.
NEW OPTIONS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Obtaining an internship is often the single most important objective for an accounting student. There are alternative avenues to achieve this objective, such as:
y Microsoft Excel. Becoming proficient in Excel is paramount to a student’s success. Complemented by data analytics or information technology courses, students will be familiar with programs and disciplines that accountants use daily.
y Co-op programs. This is where students receive college credit, usually as an undergraduate, for working in the field. Whether providing their educator with weekly journals, writing papers about an accounting-specific topic or
FLEXIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT There has been an evolution in in-person and online learning over the years. In-person learning still provides the best way for students to learn and build relationships