BGSU joins Ohio Society of CPAs to address statewide accountant shortage

University will address the stigma of accounting careers, while educating middle and high school students about the profession

By Branden Ferguson

Committed to meeting Ohio's workforce needs, Bowling Green State University recently joined the Ohio Society of CPAs to address the state's ongoing shortage of accountants.

Through the program, BGSU accounting students in the Schmidthorst College of Business can attend Ohio Society of CPAs networking events and receive guidance from industry professionals. In addition to resources provided by the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections, students also will have access to the Ohio Society of CPAs career center where they can find and apply for accounting jobs.

"This program will empower our students with a better understanding of what it means to be a professional accountant by allowing them to connect with working professionals early on and helping them grow a peer network," said Dr. Jennifer Percival, dean of the Schmidthorst College of Business. "Our students will start their careers with a better understanding of the profession, more resources and additional training through workshops."

According to a report by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Ohio only has 33,000 certified public accountants. That number is dwindling, following a trend that is sweeping the nation.

With fewer people interested in the field and retirements resulting in a shrinking workforce, Percival said BGSU and other Ohio Society of CPAs members are collaborating to change the view on accounting through education and outreach, including in local schools.

"We want to promote the field of accounting, highlight the opportunities it provides and help middle and high school students understand what a career in accounting might look like," she said. "Through the partnership, we will bring connections right to our schools by introducing them to industry professionals with speaking engagements and panels."

In collaboration with the Ohio Society of CPAs, BGSU is set to host an accounting career day for high school students and their families in Fall 2024. Several firms and employers are set to be on hand, allowing students to explore the different career paths of an accountant.

BGSU and the Ohio Society of CPAs are fighting what is considered an uphill battle, as many high school students are unaware of the vast career opportunities available in accounting.

"There are limited numbers of students receiving the opportunity to learn about accounting, and if they do get a chance to experience the profession, it's typically such a small sliver of what accounting really is," Percival said.

BGSU and the Ohio Society of CPAs will work collaboratively to educate future students about career options, and connect current students with industry professionals and provide them with resources needed to succeed as accountants. The program also will benefit BGSU accounting faculty members.

"Not only does this program allow our students to learn from industry professionals, it also allows our faculty to stay up-to-date on challenges facing the profession," Percival said. "With new knowledge and insight, BGSU business faculty will be able to hone their research, while also using industry partnerships to access data and insights they didn't have before."

Through the Ohio Society of CPAs, BGSU also joined the Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition, a newly formed industry-sector partnership designed to manage Ohio’s accounting workforce strategy. BGSU and other higher education institutions will work alongside Ohio-based companies, including Bob Evans Farms and Proctor & Gamble, and various CPA consulting firms to improve the accounting profession throughout the state.

"Schools and companies are competing over a small pool of people, which doesn't address an industry problem," Percival said. "The coalition has come together to solve the ongoing CPA challenge by getting into classrooms, connecting with students and parents, and collaborating with industry professionals to improve work-life balance, fair compensation and avoid burnout."