In this episode, Amber Setter returns to discuss the AICPA and NASBA's newly proposed competency-based pathway to CPA licensure, offering a 150-hour-rule alternative. They argue that the complexity of the plan might create more bureaucratic barriers rather than simplifying the process. There's also talk on the challenges facing the profession, including stagnant salaries and declining CPA numbers. Rounding out the show, they examine a recent story about EY firing employees for attending multiple online CPE courses at once. SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowZoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casTabs - http://accountingpodcast.promo/tabs Chapters(02:30) - Blake's Session on Automation Toolkit (05:11) - Sponsor Acknowledgements (05:34) - Discussion on AICPA and NASBA Competency Pathway (06:35) - Amber Setter's Insights on the Proposed Pathway (10:47) - Concerns and Practical Challenges (16:21) - Potential Impact on CPA Candidates (30:29) - Live Stream Viewer Comments and Questions (36:02) - Debating CPA Education Requirements (36:29) - Personal Journey to Becoming a CPA (37:18) - State Differences in CPA Experience Requirements (39:34) - NASBA's Influence on State Boards (41:47) - Challenges in CPA Firm Hiring Practices (42:38) - Value of Prior Work Experience (42:55) - Different CPA Licenses Across States (45:06) - Master's Degree in Accounting: Is It Worth It? (47:41) - Experience vs. Education in CPA Training (52:35) - The Appeal of Starting Your Own Firm (01:00:15) - EY's Controversial CPE Policy (01:03:09) - Innovative CPE Solutions with Earmark (01:03:55) - Future of CPE and Mental Health Initiatives (01:09:42) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Show Notes Exposure draft: Proposed “CPA Competency-Based Experience Pathway” https://www.aicpa-cima.com/certifications/download/exposure-draft-proposed-cpa-competency-based-experience-pathway   Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/ed-requirements.shtml   EY Got Rid of Staff Who Took Multiple CPE Courses at the Same Time https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/10/23/ey-got-rid-of-staff-who-took-multiple-web-training-course-at-once/112128/ Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040. Sponsorships Are you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus. Need Accounting Conference Info?  Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch Subscribe Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast ClassifiedsCoefficient - http://accountingpodcast.promo/coefficientexpoForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/ Client Hub - https://clienthub.app/ Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAd Transcripts The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page