Whether you’re a newly minted or long-time CPA, you are aware there has been increased discussion about 150-credit hours being a deterrent to the profession due to time, cost and complexity. Now, there’s finally movement on a national level to come up with feasible alternatives that don’t dilute the quality of licensure—and, thankfully, the INCPAS Board of Directors has prepared.

The Groundwork: INCPAS Updated Its Position Statements on 150

Before we could even consider an additional pathway in Indiana (if one was proposed), our leadership team had to assess and update the INCPAS position statements on 150-credit hours.

Read our seven updated positions and the reasoning at incpas.org/Position. (Updated February 2024)

AICPA & NASBA: Proposed UAA Changes

AICPA and NASBA are exploring changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA), including adding a competency-based pathway to licensure. 

INCPAS Comments on Proposed Competency-Based Pathway

In our feedback on the Competency-Based Pathway, we shared concerns about adding a new Competency-Based Pathway to licensure. Chief among them, this pathway would:
1) further add complexity and confusion for candidates; 2) increase the workload (and risk exposure) of organization employees who would serve as their CPA Evaluators; and 3) subject candidates to individual subjectivity and inconsistencies on key competencies such as ethical behavior.

INCPAS and other state societies are proposing a more simplified pathway be added: a bachelor’s degree, two years of professional experience and passing the CPA Exam. This would meet the needs of the CPA profession while also protecting the public interest. It would also ensure clarity, accessibility, and—most importantly—consistency and mobility across jurisdictions. 

Read the full exposure draft and our comments at incpas.org/UAAPathway.

INCPAS Comments on Proposed Changes to UAA Model Act & Rule Amendments

In our feedback on the proposed UAA Model Act changes overall, we shared our concern that their proposed framework is not a comprehensive and structured approach to competencies. The lack of specificity raises concerns about consistency in evaluations and may undermine the credibility and reliability of the pathway. In addition, we expressed concern about their proposal to require an additional three-year certification for would-be CPA Evaluators in this pathway.

We look forward to what they do with the feedback and hope they will add a pathway consistent with our position statements. 

Read the full exposure draft and our comments at incpas.org/UAAExposure.