SHARE:

The Arkansas State Board of Accountancy has reported a noticeable increase in Arkansas CPA Exam registrations over the past few months. The increase is significant as it comes during a time of heightened concern regarding the CPA Pipeline and recent decline in CPA Exam applicants across the globe. The catalyst for the increase is namely due to the collaborative efforts between the Arkansas Board, local university professors, the Arkansas Society of CPAs and the AICPA.  

According to James Corley, CPA, Executive Director of the Arkansas Board, “The Board has seen an increase in applicants due to several driving factors, among which include the initiative taken by a local professor to stress the importance of the CPA Exam, interaction with a former Big 4 partner in class to help solidify the importance of the Exam, and hearing from state board, state society and AICPA representatives during class presentations.  

The University of Arkansas’ William Dillard Department of Accounting implemented a strategic thrust to improve its CPA Exam completions. Students enrolled in the department’s Master of Professional Accounting Program (MPACC) were given a very specific plan and strong encouragement on how to begin passing Exam sections during the academic year. A total of 27 MPACC students “bought in” to the plan and sat for the Audit Section in December 2022. Twenty-four of those students have already passed the Audit section and have registered for additional sections this semester. “With that success, we are now seeing the other MPACC students clamoring to begin their CPA Exam journey as nobody likes to be left behind,” shared Department Chair and S. Robson Walton Professor, Gary Peters, Ph.D.  

Dr. Barry Bryan’s audit class was involved in helping to communicate and design the plan. Executive Director Corley was also a guest speaker during the Accounting Professionalism course where he introduced students to the State Board of Accountancy and discussed the licensing and reciprocity process. “His insight eliminated a great amount confusion, fear and misunderstanding about pursuing the Exam and Licensure among our students,” Dr. Peters continued. Former PWC Partner and Lecturer Martin Fiscus also served as one of the department champions, offering encouragement and insight to students pursuing the CPA Exam. 

Kudos to the Arkansas Board, the University of Arkansas and other partnering organizations that have been instrumental in driving the CPA Pipeline in Arkansas!