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(April 2009) – The DeSales University Department of Business is providing its accounting students with the opportunity to get a jump on the job market with the introduction of a new BS / MBA accelerated accounting program.
The program, which is available now, will allow students, particularly freshmen, to satisfy Pennsylvania’s new 150-hour requirement for CPAs in a four and a half year accelerated format. It is the only accelerated program of this kind currently being offered at higher education institutions in the Lehigh Valley area.
“The new accelerated program will give students a head start on their career because it will allow them to get out in the job market faster,” said Dr. Christopher Cocozza, chairperson of the DeSales Department of Business. “Rather than waiting until May and the end of the academic year, the students can complete the program during the fall semester and start a job in January.”
Pennsylvania adopted the 150-hour requirement rule, which will be required as of January 11, 2012. The accelerated program is designed to enable accounting students to satisfy Pennsylvania’s new 150-hour requirement for CPAs, which applies to all current freshmen accounting majors and all future freshmen recruiting classes. Prior to the 150-hour requirement, the requirement was 120 hours, which will be permitted to December 31, 2011.
“Accounting jobs continue to be among the hottest jobs on the market, with accounting expected to experience its largest growth over the next decade,” said Cocozza.
Currently, there are 80 accounting majors at DeSales. As a result of the new program, Cocozza projects an expected 30 percent growth in accounting enrollment.
“This senior class will include the last small number of accounting majors,” said Cocozza. “With the new program in place, the upcoming classes will see the number of DeSales accounting majors rise to over 100.”
According to Job Market Survey Statistics, the future of accounting is bright, with projections of a 34 percent increase in accounting job openings next financial year. The demand of accounting jobs is especially high in the international sector.
“All the talks of regulation and more regulations creates the need for more accountants,” said Cocozza, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and law degree from Fordham University and a master’s of law from New York University.
In order to get a CPA certificate, Cocozza advises candidates for a CPA that they must fulfill the “3 Es” -- Education, Exam, Experience.
The education component is addressed through the new 150-hour coursework requirement, as of January 11, 2012.
The rigorous CPA exam consists of four parts. The Board of Labor Statistics indicates that less than one-half of those who take the CPA exam each year pass every part the first time. Although candidates are not required to pass all four parts at once, most states require candidates to pass all four sections within 18 months of passing their first section.
Also, Pennsylvania, like most states, requires applicants for a CPA certificate to have some accounting experience. Requirements vary by state or jurisdiction, but in Pennsylvania, CPA candidates will need one year of work experience under a CPA, as part of the 150-hour rule.
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42 States and the District of Columbia required CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework, an additional 30 hours beyond the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree, as of 2007. Several other States have adopted similar legislation that will become effective during 2009. Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Vermont are the only States that do not have any immediate plans to require the 150 semester hours. As a result, many schools have altered their curricula to master’s degrees as part of the 150 hours.
For more information on the new accelerated accounting program at DeSales, please contact the DeSales University Department of Business, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1377.
Press Release: DeSales Introduces Creative Option for Accounting Majors | Posted on: 4/21/2009
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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