Accounting Students Explore the Path to CPA Licensure

About 50 students connected with professionals from across accounting to learn what it takes to become a CPA and where the credential can lead.

50 Students attended

4 Industry panelists

CPA Professional pathway in focus

Sept. 9 Hunt College event

The Big Picture

A closer look at becoming a CPA.

About 50 accounting students gathered Sept. 9 at the Woody L. Hunt College of Business for a panel and networking event focused on increasing interest in CPA licensure.

Held in the WestStar Collaborative Atrium, the event brought students together with accounting professionals to better understand the path to becoming a CPA, recent changes to licensure requirements, and the range of careers available across the profession.

Why It Matters

The credential can open doors across accounting.

The CPA can open doors across public accounting, corporate finance, internal audit, tax, and other areas of the profession.

Students heard directly from professionals about what the credential has meant for their careers and how the accounting profession continues to change.

The conversation also highlighted the Master of Accountancy as one pathway for students looking to deepen their accounting knowledge, prepare for professional practice, and continue progressing toward CPA licensure.

What Happened

Four perspectives on the path forward.

Accounting Department Chair Adam Esplin, Ph.D., opened the event before Sarah Robertson, MAcc program director, moderated a panel featuring professionals representing regulatory, public accounting, corporate, and CPA exam preparation perspectives.

Panelists discussed their career paths, CPA requirements, and opportunities available to students who earn the credential. They also addressed changes across accounting, including the growing role of AI and other emerging technologies.

Students were able to ask questions and connect directly with panelists following the discussion.

Panelists