卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 cornerstone report<\/em><\/a><\/p>\nthe key factors contributing to the ups and downs \u2013 mostly downs in the last three decades \u2013 of cpa exam candidates reflect broader trends in the economy, regulatory environment, and demographic landscape.<\/p>\n
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the peak year for accounting graduates in the united states was 2016<\/strong>, when the number of new graduates was at its highest. since then, the number of accounting graduates has declined, with a 7.4% drop in the 2021\u20132022 academic year. this was the largest drop in a single year since at least 1994\u20131995.<\/span><\/p>\nenrollment:\u00a0<\/b>accounting program enrollment peaked in 2014\u20132015 at 253,082 students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\ncpa exam candidates:\u00a0<\/b>the number of unique cpa exam candidates peaked in 2016 at 102,291. in 2022, the number of cpa exam test-takers fell to 67,355.<\/span><\/p>\nnumber of cpa exam candidates hits 17-year low<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
percentage of graduates taking the cpa exam:\u00a0<\/b>the percentage of accounting graduates taking the cpa exam for the first time has dropped from 70% in 2010 to below 50% in recent years.<\/span><\/p>\naccounting programs’ expectations:\u00a0<\/b>in 2021\u20132022, 58% of accounting program respondents said they expected enrollment to be the same or higher than the previous year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nbigger picture:<\/strong> the decline in accounting graduates is part of a broader drop in college enrollment in the u.s., especially pronounced during the pandemic. as more workers in the accounting profession retire, there is a concern that the talent pipeline is running dry.<\/span><\/p>\neconomic conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\neconomic downturns and upturns significantly impact the number of candidates. for example:\n\n2001-2002 decline: the early 2000s recession, following the dot-com bubble burst and the september 11 attacks, led to fewer job opportunities, affecting the number of people pursuing cpa certification.<\/li>\n 2008-2009 decline: the great recession caused another dip as financial markets crashed, leading to job cuts and lower enrollments in professional certification programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nchanges in exam format and regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n\nmajor changes in the cpa exam format and regulations also create spikes or drops in candidate numbers:\n\n2004 increase: the introduction of the computerized cpa exam in 2004 made the exam more accessible and flexible, leading to a surge in the number of candidates.<\/li>\n 2011 drop: changes in the exam structure and content, including adding new sections and increased difficulty, often result in temporary drops as candidates adjust to new requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nperceived value and career prospects<\/strong><\/p>\n\nthe perceived value of a cpa certification and career prospects in accounting can influence candidate numbers:\n\ngrowth mid-1980s to early 1990s: during this period, the accounting profession saw significant growth due to economic expansion and increased demand for financial transparency, leading to a steady rise in cpa candidates.<\/li>\n 2016 surge: the run-up to the 2017 changes in the cpa exam format, which introduced more simulations and higher-order skills testing, led to a rush of candidates trying to pass the exam before the changes took effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\ntechnological advancements<\/strong><\/p>\n\nadvancements in technology and the integration of new software and systems in accounting practices also impact the profession:\n\npost-2010 fluctuations: as technology advanced and accountants’ roles evolved to include more strategic advisory functions, the number of candidates fluctuated, reflecting the changing skill set required for cpas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\neducational requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\nchanges in educational requirements for cpa licensure can also create inflection points:\n\n1990s decline: increased educational requirements, such as the 150-hour rule adopted by many states in the 1990s, led to a temporary decline as candidates took longer to meet the new standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n