AICPA Issues Letter to Department of Homeland Security on STEM 

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The profession continues to pursue accounting as part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs in schools through federal legislation (H.R. 3541 & S 1705 – Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2023). NASBA, the AICPA, more than 45 State CPA Societies, and other stakeholders recently signed onto a letter to request that several Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes be added to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) STEM Designated Degree Program List. 

As mentioned in the letter, accounting has long been termed “the language of business.” Just like accounting itself, technology has been ever evolving and has helped CPAs remain competitive and businesses succeed. While many accounting programs have modified their curricula to reflect the changing environment of accounting and its technological base, these changes have not yet been reflected in the recognition of accounting as a DHS STEM subject.  

Programs use different CIP codes, and this submission is requesting DHS to consider six of these codes to be included on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. The venting codes include 52.0301 – Accounting, 30.1601 – Accounting and Computer Science, 52.0304 – Accounting and Finance, 52.0303 – Auditing, 43.0405 – Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation and 52.1601 – Taxation.  

Technology plays a large role in the duties of accountants. They not only use existing technology, but research and innovate new technologies and contribute to their development. For this reason and many others, it is understandable that organizations of all sizes would like to see accounting designated as a STEM field, specifically under the “T” for Technology. 

To view the letter in its entirety, CLICK HERE. 