Accounting Pipelines and
Perceptions are in Peril
The accounting profession is in the midst of a transformation. External pressures abound. Debates range from whether accounting should be designated as a STEM major to afford access to Federal funds designated for those fields, to whether accounting programs should be integrated into other business majors such as finance or data analytics. Even inside the profession, key influencers and organizations are posing the question regarding the value of accounting skill sets in today’s technologically driven, AI-fueled work world. Meanwhile, enrollment pipelines are diminishing for accounting majors, and the changing demographic of America’s population is in no way reflected in the upper echelons of corporate sector and public accounting firms.
“The future of the accounting pipeline is inextricably tied to diversity.”
CEO, American Accounting Association
“Recruiting more diverse accounting students will be increasingly important going forward, particularly over the next 15 years.”
Ph.D., MBA, MACC, CPA, CMA, CGMA
Chair, AAA Board of Directors
“Our reach goes from the educational pipelines of degree programs to the C-Suites of America’s corporations and public accounting firms! ”
CDO, American Accounting Association
High-School Graduating Classes
Female U.S. Accountants and Auditors
Accounting Degree Program Enrollments
Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in the Accounting Workforce
Rollover below to learn more about the challenges in accounting
“Universities reported increases in Hispanic/Latino accounting enrollees of 3% and 8% at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, respectively.”
-Mark C. Dawkins at AAA’s 2022 Annual Meeting
In 2020, hiring of new accounting graduates decreased 10%…
AICPA 2021 Trends Report
High-school graduating classes are expected to diversify significantly in the coming years…
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, September 2020
Read the AAA's Brochure:
Prioritizing and Advancing Diversity in Accounting
Help Advance Diversity in Accounting!
