Want to Teach? It’s Easier Now

SIGN OF THE TIMES

T oday people change jobs—even careers—several times. CPAs aren’t immune to this trend, and many highly qualified practitioners find that as their lives and interests deepen they look to give back to their professional and academic communities. One way to do that is to teach at the university level, where educators are needed to help fill the pipeline of accounting graduates. Fortunately, opportunities are now more available.

In 2003, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) adopted new standards for accreditation for professionally qualified (PQ) faculty. That means CPAs with on-the-job accounting experience and typically holding a master’s degree can switch to a career in education or teach on the side at the college level without having a Ph.D. Currently up to 50% of undergraduate accounting faculty positions can be held by PQ individuals. CPAs with only an undergraduate degree usually will need to earn an advanced degree before applying.

CPAs interested in teaching on a limited basis should first consider entering the new AACSB bridge program for executives. The five-day program presents innovative teaching techniques and discusses the attitudes, background skills and learning styles of today’s students. The AICPA Foundation is showing its support for the bridge program with a $25,000 grant to fund scholarships for accounting professionals. For more information see www.aacsb.edu/bridge/ . For professional accountants who want to teach and continue to work full time or perhaps retire and teach part time, teaching as an adjunct may be an attractive alternative. Find out more from your local university.