Education program expands to welcome more CPA licensure candidates

A program designed to help accounting graduates more easily meet education requirements for CPA licensure is expanding its reach.

The Experience, Earn and Learn (ELE) program, a joint offering of the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), is now accepting full-time employed accounting graduates regardless of whether their employer participates in the program.

The changes are effective for the spring 2025 semester, with registration open through Jan. 1.

The ELE program is for individuals who have completed their bachelor’s degree and core accounting classes but possess fewer than the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure. Participants can earn up to 30 hours at affordable rates by choosing from more than 25 courses offered through Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement, all while earning a paycheck.

The program has 105 students enrolled this fall, representing more than 50 employers.

“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,” Mike Decker, the AICPA’s vice president–CPA Examination and Pipeline, said in a news release. “That’s a testament to the enduring value of the CPA credential, from the newest graduates to midcareer professionals.”

The program will remain focused on helping participating organizations hire and retain talented candidates, a path that assures a supportive relationship between employees and employers.

Visit experiencelearnearn.org for more information for students and for firms and other organizations interested in sponsoring candidates. Questions or comments can be directed to feedback@experiencelearnearn.org.

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