Changes to CPA licensure rules affecting the Class of 2013 and later classes.
Recent legislation has changed the educational requirements for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in California. These changes include both additional specific coursework and a requirement that students complete 225 quarter units of education prior to licensure. Because the two committees formed to develop specific guidance on the coursework requirements have not completed their deliberations, we do not yet have final rules.
The accounting department is monitoring the development of the new requirements closely, and working with our Accounting Department Advisory Board to ensure that Santa Clara University accounting and accounting and information systems graduates will remain strong employment candidates. Because of the strength of the University and Business core requirements, and the breadth of existing coursework, we do not anticipate that the new curricular requirements will necessarily affect Santa Clara University students adversely. We expect that students who elect the accounting major sufficiently early will be able to graduate within 4 years while meeting the licensure requirements. Students who join the accounting or AIS majors later may find it necessary to add some summer classes to ensure that they meet the 225 quarter unit requirement.
The department has developed guidelines for current students who are affected by the new requirements. We urge current students considering an accounting major to speak with an Accounting faculty member or Accounting Peer Advisor as early as possible.
Prospective students and their parents are invited to contact the Accounting Department Chair, Susan Parker, 408-554-4899
or sparker@scu.edu with any questions.
