Warning Signs about the Future Supply of Accounting Graduates

Alexander L. Gabbin, PhD, CPA

Does the future look bright for accounting majors? In its 2017 report of accounting enrollment and hiring trends in the public accounting sector, the AICPA's academic-in-residence, Yvonne Hinson, noted the association's “commitment to profession-wide initiatives that attract, inspire and engage the next generation of CPAs. Together, we will continue to make joining the accounting profession a great career choice” (2017 Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and Demand for Public Accounting Recruits,http://bit.ly/2P5BuQJ). Despite this optimism, however, there are some warning signs that the supply of accounting graduates may be about to take a downturn.