Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Morning Edition
Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

Number of CPAs dwindle as demand grows

IRS Building
Tax season is usually the time when certified public accountants, or CPAs, are at their busiest. But they’re busier than before due to a nationwide shortage within their own industry.
J. David Ake | AP 2014

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Tax season is usually the busiest time for accountants, but that busy season hasn’t stopped. With declining interest among younger talent, a different deficit is affecting certified public accountants, or CPAs, nationwide.

Becoming a CPA comes with higher barriers to entry than other finance positions — and most CPAs reached retirement age in 2020. All this makes it harder for accountants to get the certification they need and fill the demand.

Legislation introduced in Minnesota Legislature aims to ease certification standards but with the shortage already affecting the industry, other problems are cropping up. 

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bob Cedergren, CPA and Chair-Elect of the MNCPA board, to discuss the impacts he’s seeing.

Listen to the full conversation using the audio player above.