NEW RESEARCH: SUPPLY/DEMAND FOR ACCTG GRADS

One of the most useful research studies in the CPA profession is the AICPA’s biannual Report on the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits.  The AICPA just released their 2011 report (based on the 2009/10 data).  Highlights:

1.      Since majoring in accounting became popular again in 2002, the number of accounting degrees awarded is up 58% in 8 years or 7% annually.

2.      Capacity restraints due to the shortage of professors continues to be a major concern.  13% of accredited programs rejected an average of 165 qualified students.

3.      40% of new grads hired by CPA firms had master’s degrees, up 30% in two years.

4.      For the first time in nearly 20 years, more graduates were male (52%) than female (48%).  In 2002, the percent female was a record high 57%.  Does anyone have an opinion on why this dramatic shift occurred?

5.      71% of CPA firms plan to increase their hiring of grads in 2011.

6.      70% of universities have included some IFRS courses in their curriculum.

7.      The percentage of grads that are minority remains negligible.

Click here for a copy of Rosenberg’s summary of the AICPA Report.

Click here for a full copy of the AICPA study.