COCPA President and CEO Alicia Gelinas, CPA, urges the Colorado State Board of Accountancy to carefully consider issues related to the talent shortage facing the accounting profession, and highlights opportunities for both the State Board and the COCPA to contribute meaningfully to identifying and acting on solutions.

Gelinas suggests a diligent and thoughtful process to address the root causes of the talent pipeline challenges, including gathering stakeholder input, collecting relevant data, and conducting appropriate analysis. She emphasizes the need to consider broader implications and unintended consequences before modifying CPA licensure requirements.

Gelinas believes that both the COCPA and the Colorado Board of Accountancy can contribute meaningfully to identifying and implementing strategies that increase the volume of talent in the CPA pipeline. The November 2023 letter outlines several opportunities for the State Board to play a crucial role in simplifying the licensure process by addressing systemic barriers and reevaluating specific requirements, such as additional coursework in auditing and accounting ethics, which are specific to Colorado.

Visit the COCPA Resource Center to read the full November 2023 COCPA CEO's letter.