Accounting
Virginia’s alternative CPA pathway opens new doors
Accounting is no longer a profession defined by a single, rigid path to success. Over the years, I have witnessed a growing number of students—some who started out studying dance, music or other creative disciplines—make a late pivot into accounting. It might seem like an unexpected switch, but there’s a reason for it: new licensing pathways, such as the one recently introduced in Virginia, are opening doors to people who discover their passion for numbers later in life.
I’ve taught accounting to dancers who have mastered the discipline of daily training and musicians who have honed their capacity to perform under pressure. They may not fit the classic accounting stereotype, but they bring intangible qualities that can’t be taught in a lecture: a flair for creative problem-solving, a strong work ethic and the ability to view challenges from unconventional angles. These students don’t just think outside the box; they question why the box was there in the first place. In today’s data-driven world, that kind of fresh perspective is exactly what accounting firms and financial organizations increasingly value.
Virginia’s newly adopted CPA licensure pathway serves as a model for how practical experience can be every bit as valuable as classroom hours. Instead of requiring the traditional 150 credit hours, the state now allows CPA candidates with a bachelor’s degree and required accounting coursework to sit for the exam after two years of relevant work experience. This marks a fundamental shift: real-world practice becomes an acceptable substitute for a stack of transcripts.
For those coming from dance, music or any field that didn’t pile on extra elective credits, this alternative pathway is a lifeline. It acknowledges the reality that many talented people cannot afford another year of tuition—or don’t see the value in additional classes—when they can gain equally meaningful learning and skill development on the job.
This approach is more than just convenient for career changers; it is also a strategic decision for the accounting profession. At a time when traditional college enrollments are declining, welcoming people from different educational backgrounds broadens the talent pool and provides companies with new perspectives.
Businesses today need more than just double-checked spreadsheets; they also expect forward-thinking strategies, creative analytics and big-picture thinking. Dancers, for example, understand how to adjust under pressure and perform with precision, whereas musicians may recognize patterns and rhythms that others may miss. Their varied life experience frequently results in innovative client engagements and creative solutions to challenging financial problems.
Critics may worry that easing academic prerequisites will dilute professional standards. Yet the crux of a CPA’s qualification isn’t the credit count—it’s mastery of the exam and proven competence in real-world practice. Virginia’s new model does not hand out shortcuts; it simply places more weight on verifiable experience and less on academic seat time. This recalibration maintains the profession’s standards while making it more accessible to a larger group of motivated, capable individuals.
Virginia’s legislative approach demonstrates how the accounting sector can grow while maintaining quality and credibility. By embracing different educational paths, the profession acquires fresh energy and resilience—qualities that are critical in today’s quickly changing global economy.
We should welcome the state’s willingness to rethink the CPA pipeline. In doing so, Virginia sends a clear message: the future of accounting belongs to individuals who are willing to push the profession’s boundaries. Dancers, musicians, engineers and anyone else who develops a renewed love of numbers will have a brighter future.
Aprio, a Top 25 Firm based in Atlanta, has acquired JMS Advisory Group, a firm that specializes in unclaimed property compliance and escheat process development, also based in Atlanta
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Aprio ranked No. 24 on Accounting Today’s just released
JMS was founded in 2006 and helps clients mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunities through managed unclaimed property compliance. The team includes attorneys, CPAs, CFEs and others.
JMS has a wide range of clients, including enterprise companies, financial institutions, credit unions, insurance companies, hospitality and health care organizations.
“As Aprio continues its rapid growth, we are committed to expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” said Aprio CEO Richard Kopelman in a statement Tuesday. “The addition of JMS gives us the opportunity to continue strengthening our position as a future-focused advisory firm. JMS’s focus on escheat management and asset recovery not only enhances our current capabilities but also allows us to deliver even more impactful solutions to help businesses navigate complex compliance challenges.”
JMS president and CEO James Santivanez is joining Aprio as a partner and provides guidance to clients on unclaimed property and state and local tax issues.
“We created JMS to make an impact nationally in the unclaimed property consulting industry, and I’m proud of our nearly 20-year history of helping clients mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunities resulting from accurate and properly managed unclaimed property compliance,” Santivanez said in a statement. “Joining with Aprio takes us to the next level, allowing us to build upon our success while providing even greater value to our clients. This is an exciting next step in our journey.”
JMS founder and director Sherridan Santivanez is also joining Aprio as a partner. He specializes in representing clients before state enforcement authorities and managing complex audits and voluntary disclosures for some of the world’s largest companies. She provides strategic guidance on audit preparation and navigates interactions with state and third-party auditors.
Aprio received a
The American Institute of CPAs and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy are asking for comments on their proposal for an additional pathway to CPA licensure through
The AICPA and NASBA proposed the
The UAA changes would:
- Enable states to adopt a third licensure pathway that requires earning a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration, completing two years of professional experience as defined by Board rule, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination;
- Shift to an “individual-based” mobility model, which allows CPAs to practice in other states with just one license; and
- Add safe harbor language to ensure CPAs who meet existing licensure requirements preserve practice privileges.
The proposals come as several states are already moving forward with their own changes, including
The updates reflect feedback gathered during a late 2024 exposure draft period and forward-looking solutions being advanced by state CPA societies and boards of accountancy to increase flexibility for licensure candidates while maintaining the integrity of the CPA license.
The AICPA and NASBA are asking for comments on the proposed changes by May 3, 2025. They can be submitted through this
The UAA offers state legislatures and boards of accountancy a national model they can adopt in full or in part to meet the licensure needs of each jurisdiction.
The proposal would maintain the current two pathways to CPA licensure:
- Earning a post baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration, completing one year of professional experience as defined by Board rule, and passing the CPA exam; and,
- Earning a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration, plus an additional 30 semester credit hours , completing one year of professional experience as defined by Board rule, and passing the CPA exam.
Small business employment held steady last month, according to payroll company Paychex, while wage growth continued below 3%
The
“Our employment data continues to show moderate job growth and wage growth below three percent,” said Paychex president and CEO John Gibson in a statement Tuesday. “The consistent long-term trend we’re seeing is a small business labor market that is resilient and stable with little job movement among workers. At the same time, small business owners are optimistic about future business conditions despite uncertainty about how to adapt to a rapidly evolving legislative and regulatory landscape.”
The Midwest remained the top region in the country for the ninth consecutive month with a jobs index level of 100.54. Seven of the 20 states analyzed gained more than one percentage point in February, led by Texas (up 2.11 percentage points).
Phoenix (101.92) increased its rate of small business job growth for the fourth month in a row in February to rank first among the largest U.S. metros.
Construction (3.29%) regained its top spot among industries in terms of hourly earnings growth in February, followed closely by “other services” (3.27%) and manufacturing (3.21%).
The pace of job growth in manufacturing gained 2.39 percentage points to 99.52 in February, the industry’s biggest one-month increase since April 2021.
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