The Experience, Learn & Earn (ELE) program, a pilot program designed to help accounting graduates earn required academic credits for CPA licensure, has received early positive reviews.
Thirty-eight students are enrolled in the program, which was developed by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The program is intended to offer a flexible and affordable way for accounting graduates to complete the CPA licensure requirement of an extra 30 academic credits beyond a typical bachelor’s program. Online classes, offered through Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement (SoPA), began in January.
“No single initiative will solve the profession’s talent shortage,” Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA’s CEO–Public Accounting, said in a news release. “But the ELE program demonstrates the kind of creativity, collaboration, and follow-through we need to remove barriers to a successful and rewarding career in accounting.”
Accounting graduates are recruited into the program by accounting firms. Businesses and government entities can also sponsor candidates. The graduates work toward their CPA license while being employed by the organizations.
Tulane SoPA offers more than a dozen classes through the program, on topics that include business ethics, management principles, and writing in the workplace. The cost is $150 per credit hour, and some firms pay for the program.
More courses are expected to be added in future semesters.
“This partnership holds great promise for both the students and our institution,” said Ilianna Kwaske, interim dean of Tulane SoPA. “This is a great example of how Tulane SoPA is responsive to industry needs through innovative and engaging online courses we developed that offer content directly applicable to working professionals. We look forward to growing our relationship with AICPA, NASBA, and future ELE students.”
More than 250 firms of all sizes have expressed interest in the program, which is now open for enrollments for summer and fall sessions. One advantage of the online courses is that firms can recruit accounting graduates from anywhere. Top 20 accounting firm Wipfli has five candidates from various locations in the first ELE cohort, the news release said.
The program is soliciting input from students, firms, and educators on potential improvements going forward.
“We plan to continue to fine-tune and strengthen the ELE,” Ken Bishop, NASBA’s CEO, said in the release. “The ELE program addresses two important pipeline issues. The cost of the fifth year of college can be a barrier for some potential CPA candidates, and the ability for firms to attract, hire, and retain new CPA professionals has been challenging, particularly for smaller firms. The early results are promising, and we want to build on that success.”
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