Adapt & Thrive: Grow Your Career by Earning an IT Credential.

• Author: Jadhav, Harsh

Among the upcoming sweeping changes to the CPA Exam, to be implemented in 2024, is one focused on ensuring CPA candidates understand how clients adopt technology in their business models (i.e., business analytics, SAAS, ERP). Another change is preparing new CPAs to efficiently service clients using technology-based tools to assess risk, perform testing and perform data analysis.

Universities are revamping curriculums to teach students about these cutting-edge software applications (i.e., Tableau, RPA, Power B.1.), as many accounting firms and businesses expect students to be familiar with these tools upon graduation.

Vlad Genin, a professor of management and engineering and former plenipotentiary representative of the Higher Education Academy of Sciences at the United Nations, agrees with the AICPA's approach. He thinks all modern CPAs must understand the newest tools acquired from the university/college educational programs. He also believes the new generation of accounting students must be educated in cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to give them a comprehensive view of the client's deliverables, along with visualization and interpretation of data in real-time.

Whether you are a tech-savvy new or experienced CPA, investing in formal education to pursue an IT credential could open doors to new career opportunities and reaffirm your expertise with your clients.

Doug Barbin, national managing principal and chief growth officer for

Schellman (a specialty CPA firm that offers compliance assessments in SOC, ISO 27001 and HITRUST), says, "In a professional services business, IT audit and security credentials provide credibility and baseline knowledge to your clients. Internally, a certification like a CISSP or CISA shows dedication to your craft among your peers. This is why we incentivize professionals to gain as many as they can and require at least two certifications for a promotion to manager."

SynerComm Inc.'s Senior Information Assurance Consultant Jeff Lemmermann started his career with a public accounting firm as a financial auditor, but was tasked with installing a client-server network for his office and identifying and training other CPAs in the firm who could assess IT controls in financial audits. His credentials as CPA, CITP, CISA and CEH built his credibility with the partners and allowed his firm to position him as the technical expert within the firm and to their clients.

...