TALENT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

New 20-Year Low in College Accounting Graduates

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But are trends already on the upswing again?

By CPA Trendlines

The pipeline of U.S. accounting graduates has fallen to its lowest level in roughly 20 years, capping a decade-long slide of about 17% in completions even as demand from public accounting firms remains strong, according to the latest release of a much-watched study.

In this report:
  • The tension between shrinking supply and resilient demand
  • Bachelor’s degrees: From mid-2010s peak to current lows
  • Master’s degrees: A steep 15% drop in the last academic year
  • CPA Exam Trends: The new baseline
  • Potential Turning Point? New growth in enrollments

In addition, the CPA exam pipeline has thinned over the past 10 years, with new candidates and successful passers both down from earlier peaks, though 2023 saw a temporary surge tied to the rollout of the CPA Evolution exam.

New research is also revealing that while auditors remain in steady supply, the tax profession is facing a severe and deepening talent drought.

And yet, new enrollment data point to a possible turning point, with accounting program enrollments up double digits in 2024–25 and firms signaling plans to keep hiring as many or more graduates in the year ahead.

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Kwaiser: The Real Reason People Stay—or Leave | MOVE Like This

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Culture isn’t an initiative—it’s a strategy that drives retention and results.

Originally published Oct. 13, 2025
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MOVE Like This
With Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk
For CPA Trendlines

In this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talks with Stacie Kwaiser, CPA and CEO of Rehmann, about the firm’s nearly three-decade journey toward building a culture where people stay, grow, and lead.

MORE MOVE

Kwaiser began her career in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand before joining Rehmann, a firm that now employs more than 1,100 professionals across 22 offices. She rose through the audit practice and into firmwide leadership roles, ultimately becoming CEO in 2023. Along the way, she experienced—and helped shape—Rehmann’s evolution into one of the profession’s most recognized firms for women and equity leadership.
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Why Leaders Should Focus on Talent

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red rocket rising above white hot air balloons

Are you acquiring or recruiting? There’s a difference.

By Anthony Zecca
Leading From the Edge

In my recently published book, “Leading From the Edge – Creating a Standout, High-Performing Organization,” I focus on the leadership accounting firms need to succeed in a future driven by seismic disruptors.

MORE by Anthony Zecca
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Leadership has a responsibility and impact on creating the standout, high-performing talent necessary to drive the firm’s long-term strategy. We all understand and believe that at the end of each day, the firm’s greatest asset walks out the door (or in today’s world, disconnects). The quality of a firm’s talent directly relates to the success and performance of the firm.
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Why Do You Want to Be Partner?

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Businesswoman sitting on table while talking with four coworkers

Our expert council weighs in on preparation.

By Martin Bissett
Passport to Partnership

The skill in producing financial reports is limited by the quality of the information presented to the CPA by the client. The motivation of the client to influence that financial information comes in many forms, some intentional and some unintentional. Competence comes first in being able to resist pressure and present a true and accurate position of the client’s organization.

MORE by Martin Bissett
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Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But there’s a twist.
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How Niches Lead to Growth

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woman holding eyeglasses and looking at laptop screen

It’s all about your ideal client.

By Jackie Meyer
The Balanced Millionaire: Advisor Edition

Trying to be everything to everyone is a recipe for burnout and mediocrity. That’s why one of the fastest ways to scale up your practice is to niche down and find your ideal client profile (ICP). It might feel counterintuitive to narrow your focus, but trust me, specialization is powerful.

MORE: Vision vs. Mission, and Why You Need One | Ten Questions to Check Your Entrepreneurship | More Revenue in Fewer Hours
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The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Before we dive in, let’s address the elephant in the room: the fear that by niching, you’ll lose opportunities. Many advisors hesitate to niche down because they worry, “What if I turn away someone and regret it? What if I limit my opportunities and my phone stops ringing?” It’s a valid emotional concern, but let’s bust the myth:

  • Serving everyone dilutes your expertise and makes it harder to stand out.

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