As the accounting profession continues to evolve, CalCPA, in coordination with the AICPA, is actively engaging at the federal level to support sound policymaking, particularly to support the pipeline of accounting professionals and reinforce the profession’s role in public trust. Recent advocacy efforts have focused on three key areas: recognition of accounting as a STEM field, advancing fiscal transparency through federal legislation and ensuring accounting is appropriately recognized as a professional degree within federal education policy.

Strengthening the Pipeline Through STEM Recognition

Attracting and developing the next generation of CPAs had been a priority for profession stakeholder. CalCPA has supported federal efforts to recognize accounting as a STEM-designated field, reflecting the profession’s increasing reliance on data analytics, technology and complex systems. STEM designation would help expand access to federal education resources; increase awareness of accounting as a modern, technology-driven career; and better align academic pathways with the skills required in today’s marketplace.

In coordination with AICPA and other national stakeholders, this effort is part of a broader strategy to modernize how accounting is perceived and accessed—ensuring that students see the profession not just as traditional bookkeeping, but as a critical, forward-looking discipline at the intersection of finance, technology, and decision-making.

Earlier this year, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act (S. 3784), which joins identical legislation introduced in the House (H.R. 2911) last spring by Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Haley Stevens (D-MI). CalCPA members have encouraged the California congressional delegation to sign on to support these critical bills.

Promoting Fiscal Transparency: The Fiscal State of the Nation Act

CalCPA is also advocating for improved federal financial transparency through support of H.R. 7026, the Fiscal State of the Nation Act. This legislation would require an annual joint hearing of the House and Senate Budget Committees to receive a presentation from the U.S. Comptroller General on the audited financial statements of the federal government.

The objective is straightforward: ensure policymakers have access to clear, objective and reliable financial information when making long-term fiscal decisions. As outlined in CalCPA’s advocacy, this approach would provide Congress with fact-based insights into the nation’s fiscal health, including key financial and sustainability measures, while also improving understanding of audit findings and risks.

At a time of increasing fiscal complexity, CalCPA and the broader CPA profession view this as a critical step toward strengthening accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making at the federal level.

Ensuring Recognition in Federal Education Policy

CalCPA has engaged with the U.S. Department of Education on proposed rules that would define which academic programs qualify as “professional degrees” for purposes of federal student loan eligibility. As currently drafted, the proposal excludes accounting—potentially limiting access to graduate-level financing for students pursuing CPA licensure.

In formal comments submitted to the Department of Education, CalCPA emphasized that accounting is a licensed and regulated profession with rigorous education, examination, ethics and competency requirements. The organization urged the Department to either explicitly include accounting in the definition or maintain a flexible definition that encompasses accounting programs.

This issue has real implications for the CPA pipeline. Limiting access to financing creates barriers for students and risks undermining efforts to attract diverse talent into the profession. Ensuring equitable access to education is not only a workforce issue—it is a public interest issue.

A Unified Effort to Advance the Profession

Across these efforts, a common theme emerges: the need to align federal policy with the realities of a modern, evolving profession. Whether through expanding access to education, improving fiscal transparency or reinforcing the profession’s role in public trust, CalCPA’s advocacy—alongside AICPA and other partners—is focused on ensuring that the CPA profession remains strong, relevant and accessible.

These efforts are not just about the profession—they are about supporting informed decision-making, economic stability and public confidence in the systems that underpin our financial world.