INCPAS recently hosted accounting profession leaders from across the state and country for Vision2027—a thought leadership event focused on shaping the future of the accounting profession through innovative workforce strategies.

This year’s event brought together a variety of major stakeholders in the profession, including: the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), The Center for Audit Quality (CAQ), The Corydon Group, NABA Inc., state CPA Societies and Indiana business owners.

Vision2027 Forum for Nationwide Collaboration

This year’s theme—"Protecting the Profession. Developing New Talent. Connecting the Community.”—reflects a commitment to tackling the profession’s most pressing challenges by exchanging successful models of educational impact and inclusive leadership.

Advocacy & CPA Licensure in Indiana

INCPAS lobbyist John Cochran, Esq., of The Corydon Group provided an overview of the 2025 Legislative Session in Indiana.

With a new governor and new crop of elected officials heading into a long session, the INCPAS advocacy team went in already knowing the state was facing legislative and economic headwinds. Paired with the projected $2.4 billion revenue shortfall, legislators had to find where to generate revenue and make additional cuts. Given these larger picture issues, not much new was introduced about workforce development, training or incentives.

John Cochran, Esq., lobbyist – The Corydon Group, shares an overview of the 2025 Legislative Session and INCPAS’ bill, HEA 1143

HEA 1143: Licensure of Accountants was the one piece of legislation INCPAS had in the Indiana General Assembly, which was signed into law by Gov. Braun in April. This bill added a CPA licensure pathway that includes a bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional experience and passing the CPA Exam.

“Our advocacy efforts are expanding to issues we’ve never weighed in on before, because we have to,” Kincaid said. “K–12 funding and apprenticeship programs—we’re going to have to learn this whole new world. As more strains are applied to the education system, how can we position ourselves to align with school needs and advance the accounting profession with students?”

Accounting & Higher Education

Liz Barentzen, JD, ACC, vice president of operations and talent initiatives for The Center for Audit Quality (CAQ), shared key findings from their recent report: Expanding the Accounting Profession Pipeline: 2024 Update.

Liz Barentzen, JD, ACC, vice president of operations and talent initiatives – CAQ, Courtney Kincaid, CAE, president and CEO – INCPAS, and Ali Tonini, CAE, vice president – pipeline and outreach

This research is designed to help better understand high school and early college students’ academic and professional motivations so that stakeholders can identify the most successful strategies to attract the next generation of accountants.

Three takeaways from this year’s update on students:

• Early decision-making is key. High school students are making their decisions about what they want to major in earlier. Instead of junior and senior year, more are looking at their options as freshmen and sophomores.
• Economic priorities are on the rise. Previously, accounting was appealing as a pathway to entrepreneurship. In today’s economic environment, however, students are looking more at career stability, mobility and long-term earning potential.
• Personal connections matter. Most students find out about accounting through a family member or in school. Black students in particular are less likely to personally know an accountant, so organizations need to think about getting out in the communities and classrooms where there’s less exposure to the accounting profession.

In terms of advanced degrees, Barentzen shared the ”2024 Application Trends Survey Summary Report” from The Graduation Management Admission Council.

“The good news is we’ve seen an increase in accounting majors and enrollment in master’s in accounting degrees, Barentzen said. “However, we definitely need to keep doing this work. With population trends, there’s going to be a precipitous drop in college enrollment overall—and that’s going to funnel back down into a dwindling accounting pipeline again.”

ALPFA: Developing Latino Professionals Across the Global Economy

ALPFA President & CEO Damian Rivera, MBA, highlighted ALPFA’s role supporting a nationwide group of Latino professionals across all S&P industries and geographies. With roots as an accounting organization, 75 percent of its member base is in accounting and finance.

ALPFA President & CEO Damian Rivera (shown right) with local chapter members

“Community, Connections & Access” is its calling card, and across the country ALPFA chapters host three to four student or professional events…a day. 

Key demographics he included:

• 14-year-old Latinos are the top demographic in the country.
• 3.1 million Latinos are in post-secondary education.
• Nearly one-third are enrolled in community colleges.

Rivera also called out the significant responsibility that comes with being an accountant right now—the trusted touchstone for individuals and companies seeking advice. 

NABA Inc.: Expanding Access & Institutional Trust

NABA Inc. President & CEO Guylaine Saint Juste shared her candid thoughts on the evolution and limitations of “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives, and what the current top-down shift on equity measures means in today’s environment.

NABA Inc. President & CEO Guylaine Saint Juste (shown sixth from right) with local chapter members

While some of the terminology used or labels assigned may not have resonated with everyone, statistics might. The McKinsey & Company report, “Fulfilling the Potential of U.S. Higher Education,” highlights how more individuals obtaining postsecondary education leads to better employment outcomes, greater socioeconomic mobility, and nonmonetary benefits including improved health and increased civic engagement.

“When you look at adults in the U.S. that are over 25 years old and hold a bachelor’s degree, 65 percent are of European descent and only 30% are of African American descent,” Saint Juste said. “Closing this gap in bachelor’s achievement would generate $1.4 trillion in economic output.”

In addition to individual and overall economic benefits, Saint Juste reminded attendees about the boon for businesses. Making sure to have people from different backgrounds with different ways of thinking can help generate those discussions that make “ideas collide into genius.” Just because someone isn’t a “culture fit” doesn’t mean they aren’t invaluable. Leaders need to be ready and willing to have ongoing discussions as team members navigate themselves and their roles within an organization.

Candid Q&A with College Students

Current Gen Z college students served on a panel, sharing their thoughts on dos and don’ts for recruiters, expectations for their prospective employers, work-life balance preferences and future plans.

Rachel, a finance major, shared what recruiters can do to help spotlight what sets them apart.

“I want to see a commitment to service. What are your service opportunities? Also, sharing the unique ways your firm uses accounting to help the community, like through affordable housing. It gives you a better value proposition.”

Jazzman, an accounting major, shared what she wants from her future employer.

“I want to be with a company that’s as serious about my future as I am about bringing something to their company. I’d like to have someone there to help embrace and be a leader to me at a new job.”

Kinaya, a business analytics major, shared thoughts on how to better market opportunities in accounting.

“I started out as a marketing major, but I wanted something more complex. I loved working with data and numbers, so I shifted into accounting after taking my first accounting course in college. It wasn’t just assets and deductions and bookkeeping—it’s a lot more than what the stereotype is. If you can give more exposure to it before college, you’ll definitely get more accounting majors.”

College students share their thoughts on work-life balance expectations, internship experiences and future plans

Next Steps for Vision2027

One of the next steps for the Indiana CPA Society is to build financial support for its ConnectIN collaboration with NABA Inc. to share and scale successful workforce development programming.

Indiana CPAs, firms and employers can help support these efforts by contributing by to the Indiana CPA Educational Foundation or joining us as a Pipeline Partner.

“I hear about the shortage in the talent pipeline, but we can’t be in and out, in and out,” said Saint Juste. “We’ve got to be in all the way. Because this isn’t a short-term fix—it’s a long-term fix.”

To read more about Vision2027 and ConnectIN, visit incpas.org/Vision. 

Event Partners: Accounting+, ALPFA Indianapolis, BGBC, a Springline Company, Deloitte, Eli Lilly & Company, Forvis Mazars, Green Loop Marketing, NABA Inc., and PwC