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NextGen Magazine

 
 

AICPA-NASBA Pilot Program Now Available to Help Graduates Attain Last 30 Hours for CPA Licensure

By:
Karen Sibayan
Published Date:
Nov 18, 2024

GettyImages-914314318 Students Class Working Studying

A pilot program that facilitates attaining the last 30 hours of the education requirement for CPA licensure is now available. The Experience, Learn and Earn (ELE) program—jointly developed by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)—also allows accounting graduates unaffiliated with a participating accounting firm or employer to sign up for it as long as they are employed full-time. 

“While we designed the program for accounting graduates and entry-level professionals, it’s gratifying to see participants from a diverse range of states, age groups, gender and ethnicities,” noted Mike Decker, AICPA’s vice president of CPA examination and pipeline. “That’s a testament to the enduring value of the CPA credential, from the newest graduates to mid-career professionals.” 

The program—offered through Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement—has thus far focused on participants recruited directly by accounting firms, companies, not-for-profits and government entities, according to the associations. That is still expected to be the primary path for the ELE program, although accounting graduates earning a paycheck from an employer not associated with the program can now sign up as well. 

The program has 105 students enrolled this fall, representing over 50 employers. Registration for Spring 2025 is now open until Jan. 1, 2025. 

The ELE program is for people who have completed their bachelor’s degree and core accounting classes but have fewer than the 150 credit hours needed for licensure. The program works this way: 

• Full-time, employed accounting graduates can either join through an ELE-affiliated employer or sign up on their own 

•  Program participants earn up to 30 university credits through online courses and credit-hour costs are set at highly affordable rates

• Participating employers are expected to support their employees, examples of which might include, but are not limited to:

   •flexible work schedule 

   •tuition reimbursement 

   •mentoring to assist program participants work toward their CPA license 

• The program is open to all employer types, including not-for-profit, businesses and government entities 

• Accounting graduates who sign up independently rather than through participating employers may not necessarily have the same support or mentoring opportunities as those who receive direct sponsorship 

“In a time where we are all working on ways to provide flexibility and increase accessibility to candidates in all stages of their journey to becoming a CPA, it is encouraging to see the continued interest and support of the ELE program from both candidates and employers,” stated NASBA Executive Vice President Wendy Garvin. She added that an expanded offering to those not associated with a participating employer is an exciting evolution of the program.” 

As part of ELE, students get a curated course list that focuses on the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. The current list has more than 25 courses, and as the program grows, more courses will be added. 

To learn more about ELE go to experiencelearnearn.org. Questions or comments can be directed to feedback@experiencelearnearn.org.