SU talks recruting for CPA, as study finds 70 percent of accountants set to retire in 10 years

SALISBURY – In ten years, 70 percent of all CPAs will be retired according to A new report from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The report looked at current working CPAs who plan to retire, as well as the strength of the existing workforce and recruits at CPA programs across the country.

The report also found recruiting was down across the US, as CPA programs shifted from 4 to 5 years, and service hours required for the programs increased.

Salisbury Univeristy says despite being down for the last 5 years the 2023-2024 academic year saw a boost to enrollment to over 250 students, but despite that boost, the credit hours are still a major hurdle for students to clear.

“In order to satisfy that requirement a candidate can take courses in any subject area doesn’t have to be accounting they could take 30 hours in basket weaving so the way it is set up for graduates now is just another barrier,” said SU Accounting Department Head Ken Smith.

Salisbury University is shifting more towards forensic accounting classes, focusing on white-collar crime to help retain students in the major.