Pathways: AICPA, NASBA align with states seeking change
February 14, 2025 | Linda Wedul, CAE

Today marks a big shift in the effort to modernize the accounting profession.
It’s been two years since the MNCPA was the first in the nation to
introduce state legislation to create additional pathways to CPA licensure and encourage a new approach to practice mobility. It took time to build momentum, but the past year has seen
dozens of states join the conversation to address licensure changes and their impact on the talent pipeline.
So, what is the shift? The AICPA and NASBA,
reflecting on comments from last year’s exposure drafts concerning their pitches for licensing and mobility changes, have listened to the voice of the profession and shifted their position to support broadening pathways to licensure. The AICPA’s Sue Coffey
shared, “I am continually inspired by the transformative leadership of state CPA societies. “
Your participation in this developing conversation — from sharing your experiences with us, writing lawmakers and authoritative bodies, and discussing these issues with professionals across the nation — is why we’re here.
Thank you.
It was a courageous step for the MNCPA board of directors to step out from the status quo and say, “We can do better." There is still much work to be done to get all 55 jurisdictions on common ground and to cement why this conversation started: Address the growing talent pipeline challenges within the industry and the restrictive nature of how this nation’s CPAs can practice outside of their home state.
Here in Minnesota, I expect to see our bills to address licensure and mobility to be reintroduced in the coming days at the Minnesota Legislature.
I’m delighted to see how far we’ve come and thrilled to see the profession moving together.
Learn more about this CPA pathways initiative
Do you want to learn more about this effort? You can keep up with the evolving conversation by visiting the MNCPA’s webpage about the broadening pathways to CPA licensure initiative.
VISIT CPA PATHWAYS PAGE
Topics: Legislative & Government Affairs, Professional Certification, Education
Linda Wedul, CAE
Linda Wedul is president and CEO of the MNCPA. She’s usually spotted at MNCPA events, introducing herself to members with a warm smile and memorable laugh. Mixed among the Footnotes, accounting journals, leadership books and three monitors in her office, you’d be surprised to see a dog kennel. Her unpaid job is volunteering as a foster family for service dogs in training through Can-Do-Canines. She and her husband have two adult children and live in Farmington. Linda can be reached at 952-885-5516 or lwedul@mncpa.org.
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