<p>According to Accounting World Daily news, "A new study examining supply and demand trends in accounting found that the profession is thrivingwith college enrollments, degrees awarded, and demand for new accounting graduates all reaching all-time highs. "</p>
<p>This is indeed pretty encouraging information, but I’ve also read from Journal of Accountancy that: " A total of 240,380 students were enrolled in accounting programs in 2011–12"</p>
<p>I know that just being “enrolled” doesn’t mean 240,000+ students will actually GRADUATE with degrees in Accounting, but would I be right to be concerned that - with the expansion of folks getting into Accounting, that this could effect future job prospects? Perhaps a glut, thus making it even more competitive to gain entry-level jobs?</p>
<p>Otherwise, encouraging news for myself and others that are studying Accounting. I just hope there’s plenty of glory to go around!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it still doesn’t make it a fulfilling and interesting career to all. :(</p>
<p>It really is tough to say that it will be difficult to find a job in accounting and the prospects for accounting. But you also have to take into account that a lot of baby boomers will be retiring fairly soon (take it with a grain of salt) so it could open doors. But don’t worry about it you will be fine. Accounting has been around for so long and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Plus, most accountants can do jobs of other business majors as well.</p>
<p>New trends report is out:
<a href=“http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/AccountingEducation/NewsAndPublications/DownloadableDocuments/2013-TrendsReport.PDF[/url]”>http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/AccountingEducation/NewsAndPublications/DownloadableDocuments/2013-TrendsReport.PDF</a></p>
<p>Growth in the # of accounting grads has outpaced CPA firm hiring. Things look better at the masters level.</p>
<p>Whistle was right…better get that Strong GPA.</p>
<p>I have to go deeper into the report, but they seem to be putting an emphasis on large CPA Firm hiring v.s. the hiring at the small-medium office levels. Also I noticed in the report that the “big name schools” are getting about 15% - 20% more applicants than they can admit, even though those declined applicants might be of good quality. Goes back to my point that everybody can’t get into the big name college due to politics and limited slots. </p>
<p>Overall, I would say the growth in Accounting grads is a direct result of the growth of college attendance in general, with Accounting consistently being named as one of the best majors to go into. </p>
<p>My prediction as we continue to move along, is that as IT continues to take over and general business operations gets more and more complicated (not just at the medium business level but with a lot of small businesses as well), that the small-medium size CPA firms will be the ones driving the growth going forward. I believe that more Accounting grads/new CPAs will go to smaller-medium sized firms for the flexibility, growth potential and other factors instead of like it was in the past, with seemingly a majority trying to all get into the Big 4.</p>
<p>That personal touch of the smaller CPA firm, with their resources that mirror that of a Big 4, is what is going to drive competition in my opinion. This generation of CPAs will need to be “business experts” across a variety of operational functions, which include not just general tax, bookkeeping, budgeting and cost/financial analysis, but I’m talking about IT experts, business valuation experts, marketing experts, expense reduction experts, experts in raising capital, etc.</p>