Behind every thriving Maryland business is a CPA — but today, there aren’t enough to meet the demand.

It’s not a hypothetical. Across the country, experienced accountants are reaching retirement age, and the profession is competing for talent in a strong job market. Meanwhile, the pipeline of new CPAs isn’t keeping pace. Without enough trusted financial advisors, businesses stall, growth slows, and opportunity slips away.

So what’s Maryland and the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) doing about it?

We’re changing the game with a focus on workforce development.

Traditionally, earning a CPA license required a bachelor’s degree, 30 extra credit hours, a year of work experience, and passing the CPA Exam. That extra 30 hours has been a barrier for some candidates, discouraging otherwise qualified professionals from pursuing the credential.

In 2025 alone, more than 20 states modernized CPA licensure requirements to attract and retain talent. Maryland joined the movement, but we must act boldly to keep pace and avoid losing talent to other markets.

• Step one: We backed, and Gov. Wes Moore signed, a law allowing CPAs licensed in other states to temporarily practice in Maryland, even if our education rules don’t line up. That means businesses get the help they need faster, and Maryland competes nationally without lowering professional standards.
  
  

• Step two: We’re leading the effort for 2026 legislation to create an additional pathway to a Maryland CPA license.This pathway would offer a modernized route for qualified candidates who meet rigorous standards through a combination of education and hands-on experience, rather than relying solely on the traditional 30 extra credit hours. By creating a practical, competency-focused option, Maryland can attract and retain top talent while maintaining the integrity of the CPA credential.

But licensure reform alone won’t solve the workforce development challenge.

We’re also committed to professional apprenticeships, like the AICPA’s Finance Business Partner Registered Apprenticeship, which combines real-world experience with education. These programs are a critical piece of workforce development, helping participants build skills, gain experience, and explore the many roles and opportunities in the accounting and finance profession.

And we’re investing in young talent early, through our MACPA Foundation, Leadership Academies, and career programs for high schoolers, college students, and rising professionals. Each of these initiatives strengthens Maryland’s workforce development pipeline and prepares the next generation of accounting leaders.

The future of accounting is evolving, and so are we. From supporting the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act (which would formally recognize accounting as a STEM field) to promoting tech-forward skills like data analytics and problem-solving, we’re positioning the CPA as a modern, opportunity-rich career for a diverse new generation.

Because Maryland can’t afford to run out of accountants.

Strong businesses need strong advisors. A strong economy needs a strong accounting profession. We invite Maryland’s educators, students, policymakers, and business leaders to join MACPA in building a stronger accounting workforce to support a thriving economic future.