Tennessee CPAs lobby for licensing changes

The Tennessee Society of CPAs visited the state capital in Nashville this week to lobby for changes in the CPA licensure and mobility laws.

During the TSCPA's annual Day on the Hill event on Tuesday, members of the society met with lawmakers and expressed support for House Bill 1330/Senate Bill 1316, which makes several changes to statutes that involve professional licensing overseen by multiple boards and commissions, including statutes regarding licensing for CPAs. The society supports the bill, which was introduced earlier this month, because it would strengthen interstate practice privilege laws and expand the available pathways to CPA licensure while maintaining the integrity of the license.

"The number of CPAs is expected to decline over the next several years due to a variety of demographic factors out of our control, but the demand for CPA services continues to increase," said TSCPA president and CEO Kara Fitzgerald in a statement Thursday. "To ensure our profession is positioned to continue providing much-needed services to individuals and businesses in Tennessee, TSCPA and aligned organizations across the country have been executing strategies to broaden the pathways to CPA licensure while maintaining interstate practice privileges. Passing this legislation would be a significant step toward achieving that goal in our state."

Earlier this month, members of the Florida Institute of CPAs also visited their state capital in Tallahassee to lobby lawmakers for licensing changes. And earlier this week, lawmakers in Virginia passed legislation, backed by the Virginia Society of CPAs, to add an alternative path to CPA licensure beyond the traditional 150 credit hours. Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Minnesota also introduced legislation this week to add more flexibility to the CPA licensure rules. Last month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a law backed by the Ohio Society of CPAs to streamline the licensing process in an effort to address the shortage of new accountants. 

Last week, the American Institute of CPAs and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy proposed changes in the Uniform Accountancy Act model legislation used by states to provide an additional path to CPA licensure, while preserving CPA mobility across the states.

Similar efforts are underway in Tennessee. This is the third year the TSCPA has held its Day on the Hill event in Nashville. This week included meetings with 38 lawmakers.

"One of TSCPA's top priorities is to advocate for the accounting profession before governmental, regulatory and standard-setting bodies," Fitzgerald stated. "Day on the Hill has been an effective way for TSCPA members to make issues facing the profession known to the leadership in our state. I'm grateful for the legislators who took the time to meet with us, as well as the TSCPA members who volunteered their time to advocate on behalf of the accounting profession."