All US states and territories maintain a high barrier to entry that dissuades students from entering the accounting profession—the requirement that CPAs complete 150 credit hours of academic study in addition to passing an exam. This unnecessary requirement contributes to the current shortage of accountants, delaying the completion of state and local government financial audits and thus inhibiting the public’s ability to hold governments accountable. Speakers will discuss alternative paths to certification, including reforms to the 150‐​hour rule and competitive accounting certification bodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.