If you’re considering a career in public accounting, you’ve likely heard about the traditional path to CPA licensure — typically a bachelor’s degree followed by a fifth year of school or a master’s program to meet the 150-hour requirement. But that may soon change. The AICPA and NASBA recently approved a significant update to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) that could reshape the path to becoming a CPA.

What’s Changing?

The newly approved amendment to the UAA introduces a more flexible approach to meeting CPA exam eligibility. While candidates would still need a bachelor’s degree with specific coursework in accounting and business, the update allows individuals to earn up to 30 hours of credit through one year of relevant work experience. This provides a compelling alternative to spending a fifth year in the classroom.

Read more about the change from the Journal of Accountancy here.

How Will This Impact New CPA Candidates and Recent Graduates?

This is great news for recent graduates and soon-to-be accounting majors. For those who feel confident in their undergraduate education and want to jump into the profession, this change makes it possible to start working—and earning—sooner. At KEB, we see this as an opportunity for candidates to gain real-world experience while working toward licensure, rather than delaying their entry into the workforce for additional academic coursework.

Will KEB Change Any Requirements for New Hires?

At this time, our hiring standards for professional staff remain consistent: we look for individuals with a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree who are eligible to sit for the CPA exam. As this new option rolls out across states, we may update our language to reflect the broader eligibility path, but our focus remains the same—hiring driven individuals who are committed to earning their CPA and building a long-term career in accounting.

How Does KEB Support CPA Candidates?

We’re proud to partner with Becker to support our team members preparing for the CPA exam, and we offer valuable incentives for those pursuing licensure. In addition, KEB provides a robust selection of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) opportunities, especially designed for early-career professionals. Our CPE programs are curated to ensure our team members gain both technical know-how and practical skills that translate to real client impact.

What Does This Mean for the Industry?

This shift could be a game-changer. By opening up a more accessible and practical path to CPA licensure, the profession may attract a wider pool of talented students—especially those for whom the cost or time commitment of a fifth academic year has been a barrier. At KEB, we welcome these updates and believe they represent a forward-thinking approach to strengthening the accounting pipeline and supporting the next generation of professionals.

As a firm committed to growth, development, and opportunity, we’re excited to see how these changes will shape the future of the CPA profession—and we look forward to welcoming candidates who embrace this new path with enthusiasm and purpose.