Increased Demand for CPAs

Competition to hire Certified Public Accountants at all levels is fierce. Employers have raised salaries, added bonuses, and offered other attractive benefits to attract and retain the most qualified candidates. Many organizations also give internal promotions and provide solid career paths for those who exhibit loyalty while excelling in their roles.
In recent years, three factors have combined to drive a higher demand for CPAs:

1. A renewed focus on business ethics

The biggest contributor to increased demand is heightened corporate accountability. Because of catastrophic accounting scandals, the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or SOX, mandated very strict governance requirements for corporations. Companies must now critically scrutinize their entire accounting process, and corporate leaders — many of whom are not accounting experts — must personally attest to the integrity of their financial statements.

2. Business in a global economy

The proliferation of multi-national organizations has fueled demand for CPAs — both internationally and domestically. CPAs who can adapt to other cultures and understand global business perspectives and regulations are extremely valuable.

3. New technology

CPAs with solid IT skills are needed to design, integrate, and implement advanced software systems, as well as serve as consultants to link hardware/software solutions with sound business plans.