The COCPA joined the AICPA and other state CPA societies to encourage support for legislation recognizing accounting as a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) field. The letter, sent to leadership in both chambers of Congress, requests co-sponsorship of bipartisan, bicameral legislation – H.R.3541, the STEM Accounting Pursuit Act, and S. 1705, the STEM Education in Accounting Act.

These companion bills would allow accounting programs access to existing STEM K-12 grant funding for accounting education, and would help to strengthen the accounting pipeline. Last spring, the COCPA joined other CPA societies and the AICPA on Capitol Hill to discuss this legislation with members of Congress.

“As the profession explores various initiatives to solve accounting pipeline challenges, we believe that recognition of accounting as a STEM field through H.R.3541 and S.1705 could boost awareness of the powerful integration of math and technology in the accounting profession,” says Alicia Gelinas, CPA, COCPA president and CEO.

The letter notes the decline in the number of U.S. students who completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting and the knowledge gap that most high school students have about a career in accounting. It also highlights the need to increase access to high-quality accounting courses for students through grade 12 who are members of underrepresented groups.

The COCPA has supported and joined previous efforts by the AICPA and other state CPA societies to recognize accounting as a STEM field, and will continue to advocate on this important pipeline initiative.

Click here to read the full letter from the AICPA and other CPA societies, including the COCPA.