PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE RETHINKING CPA LICENSURE NEBRASKA’S COLLABORATIVE APPROACH BY JONI SUNDQUIST, NEBRASKA SOCIETY OF CPAs With the profession facing workforce shortages and increasing regulatory scrutiny, Nebraska is rethinking CPA licensure. Here’s how the Society Board and State Board are collaborating to modernize the pathway for tomorrow’s CPAs. THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION IS UNDERGOING SIGNIFICANT transformation in 2025, driven by an urgent need to strengthen the CPA talent pipeline and reevaluate licensing pathways in Nebraska and across the country. In response to evolving workforce trends both nationally and globally, state legislatures and professional associations are advancing bold initiatives to modernize the profession—making it more accessible, flexible, and responsive to today’s workforce demands. AGING WORKFORCE MEETS TALENT DEFICIT The CPA profession has long faced a shrinking talent pipeline—a trend that mirrors broader global workforce patterns. From 2022 to 2050, 61 of the world’s 195 countries are expected to see a 1% decline in their working-age populations. In the United States, the working-age population has grown by just 3% over the past decade, while the non-working population has risen by 13%. With 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day, industries and professions across the board—including accounting—are struggling to fill essential positions. In response, AICPA launched the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) in 2023. (Learn more at accountingpipeline.org.) This group explored data-driven solutions, recommending six strategies to address the talent shortage: Tell a more compelling story. Address the cost and time of education. Make the academic experience more engaging. Provide better support to CPA Exam candidates. Enhance the employee experience. Expand paths for underrepresented groups. Your Nebraska Society is actively advancing strategies to strengthen the CPA pipeline. Our ongoing Foundation scholarship programs and this year’s launch of the Accounting Workforce Recruitment Campaign are key components of that effort. If you haven’t already, visit JoinTheFun.cpa to explore our latest high school outreach initiatives, including a new video that highlights the diverse and rewarding opportunities a career in accounting CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 7 nescpa.org
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