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House advances bill creating alternative pathways to CPA licensure; sent to ways and means
Summary
The State Government Finance and Policy Committee approved House File 1458, a bipartisan bill that creates alternative education-and-experience pathways to Certified Public Accountant licensure in Minnesota and establishes automatic mobility for out-of-state CPAs; the measure was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee after a voice vote.
The Minnesota House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on March 18 approved House File 14‑58, a bipartisan bill authored by Representative Scott Van Vinsbergen that would create alternative pathways to CPA licensure and shift licensing authority to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy.
The bill would allow candidates to qualify for a CPA certificate through (1) a bachelor’s degree plus two years of general work experience or (2) a master’s degree plus one year of general work experience, while retaining the current 150‑credit path with one year of experience through a transition period. The proposal also would enable automatic mobility so CPAs licensed in good standing in other states could serve Minnesota clients while remaining subject to Minnesota law and discipline.
Supporters told the committee the measure is intended to address a shrinking pipeline of CPAs. Representative Scott Van Vinsbergen, the bill’s author, said research shows the 150‑credit requirement has reduced interest in accounting and contributed to a roughly 15 percent decline in students pursuing CPA careers. “These last 30 credits…are not taking classes that are applicable to a CPA licensure or accounting,” Van Vinsbergen said. He emphasized the bill keeps the CPA Exam requirement intact.
Industry witnesses described workforce strain in public accounting and among local governments. Stephanie Markert, principal at CLA’s Minneapolis office, said the firm employs more than 1,000 people in Minnesota and has seen declines in interns converting to full‑time hires because of the extra education burden. “Creating additional pathways will attract more students to accounting while maintaining the high standards — they still have to sit for the CPA exam,” Markert said. Bob Seetegren, a partner at WIFLI and past chair of the Minnesota Society of CPAs board, estimated the extra 30 credits add about $25,000 in tuition plus lost wages from delayed workforce entry.
Julie Blaha, Minnesota state auditor, told the committee her office sees the shortage in real time, including jurisdictions that cannot attract audit bids. “There isn’t a week that goes by that we don’t get a panicked call into our office trying to find an auditor,” Blaha said. Several municipal and nonprofit representatives also described difficulty securing auditors and rising audit costs.
Committee members voiced bipartisan support during questions and comments. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion to move House File 14‑58 as amended and, by voice vote, sent the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. The committee record does not show a roll‑call tally; the action was taken by voice vote.
