The AICPA is continuing its campaign to have accounting officially recognized as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) discipline, pointing to new data showing widespread public support for the idea. 

According to a recent Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the AICPA, nearly three-quarters of Americans (74%) believe accounting should be designated as a STEM education program. More than half of younger adults (54% of those ages 18 to 43 and 59% of those ages 35 to 44) said students would be more likely to pursue accounting if it were considered part of STEM. 

The proposed Accounting STEM Pursuit Act, introduced in both chambers of Congress, would allow federal K-12 funding to support accounting education in public schools. The AICPA hopes the legislation will expose students from all backgrounds to the profession and help build a more diverse accounting workforce. 

AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel said the role of accountants has evolved far beyond traditional number-crunching. “The role of an accountant has been significantly transformed by technology,” he said. Recognizing accounting as a STEM field, he added, would highlight that connection between technology and financial insight. 

Currently, 56 accounting programs across the US have received federal STEM designations, giving schools access to broader funding and helping attract new students. The AICPA continues to encourage Congress to pass legislation that would expand that opportunity nationwide.