AICPA, state CPA societies nominate accounting for STEM designation

An AICPA letter supported by every state CPA society and numerous other accounting stakeholders asks the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to add accounting to the department’s STEM Designated Degree Program List.

The letter and an accompanying white paper spell out the case, making the argument that accounting education programs exceed some programs already on the DHS list in terms of STEM-related content.

The letter was signed by AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, and Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA’s CEO–Public Accounting. In it, the AICPA acknowledges the talent challenges facing the profession and states that inclusion on the STEM degree list would “enable U.S. accounting programs to attract talent from around the world.”

DHS updated the STEM list earlier this summer and does so on a “periodic” basis.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.