CBA committee approves allowing certain advanced degrees to substitute for one year of experience

The Committee on Professional Conduct approved staff recommendations to allow completion of certain advanced degrees to substitute for one year of the general accounting experience required for CPA licensure.

Staff presented two scenarios illustrating how the substitution would work: (1) an applicant with a bachelor’s degree in any field who completes a master of accountancy (or a degree in taxation or laws and taxation) would have one year of general experience substituted; and (2) an applicant who already has a bachelor’s in accounting and who completes a master's degree in a related field (staff listed examples such as business administration, data analytics, economics, finance and management) would similarly be eligible for a one‑year substitution. Center said the list of related subjects is not exhaustive and staff will continue research before drafting regulation language.

Committee members asked whether degrees such as an MBA or a J.D. would be considered; Center said the list is illustrative and additional degree subjects can be proposed for inclusion in the regulatory text. Public comment from Cal CPA supported the framework.

The committee approved staff direction to draft regulations consistent with these two policies. The motion passed by roll call with all members present voting yes: Doug Aguilera; Nancy Corrigan; Carrie Ann Ferrell Hines; Christian Latta; Tony Lin; and Pinyan Tu.

Next steps: staff will prepare regulatory language that lists qualifying advanced degree subjects and return for formal regulatory review in the fall.