AICPA Board of Directors Endorses Vision-Aligned Academic Framework

In July 1999, AICPA Board members unanimously endorsed the development of an online competency framework for academic use, the AICPA Core Competency Framework for Entry into the Accounting Profession (the Framework). It lays the foundation for progressive curriculum change and provides resources for educators to implement the Vision in academe. AICPA President Barry Melancon believes the Framework is a fundamental starting point for the creation of a new, opportunity-filled accounting profession. "Academic support is a necessary precedent to the profound changes forecasted for the profession. I urge all educators to embrace the future promise of the profession, exercise their powerful influence and utilize the Framework to critically evaluate curricula and teaching methods in place to effectively develop incoming professionals as valued business advisors."

The Framework supports a paradigm shift from a content-driven to a skills-based curriculum. At this stage in its development, the Framework identifies core functional, personal and broad business perspective competencies that are universally applicable to a diverse and growing array of accounting career options. Course listings are not prescribed and competencies are not ranked in any way to be flexible to varying institutional environments, resources and missions. Soon to be provided through the Framework are sample strategies and classroom techniques which academics can utilize to address the development of requisite competencies as well as a curriculum evaluation tool.

Former Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) member Bob Elliott views the Framework as a logical and valuable extension of the work of the AECC. "It reflects the needs of the profession at large since it is based largely on the national, grass-roots consensus obtained in the CPA Vision Process. It continues to emphasize the importance of skills-based learning and a commitment to life-long learning. However, the online access to current, peer-reviewed benchmarks and the evaluation tool will help take the AECC recommendations to the next level."

Stakeholders such as employers, students, accreditation boards and educators will want to know whether accounting programs and individual courses are aligned with the Framework. The evaluation tool to be incorporated in the Framework facilitates this comparison.

Jane Rubin, Director of Accounting Accreditation, AACSB–The International Association for Management Education, enthusiastically responded to preliminary reports on the Framework. "What's so exciting about the Framework is its consistency with the direction of accounting accreditation change. At the AACSB, we have labored to broadly redefine accounting accreditation standards to encompass the profession's future and evolving learning environments. The Framework similarly takes a broad view of the accounting profession. Its evaluation tool will be flexible and can be customized according to individual, institutional missions. It will provide a practical, competency-based approach to curriculum review and sets the stage for student outcome assessment — essential elements of the accreditation review process."

Bill Holder, University of Southern California, highlights a key aspect of the Framework. "It's important to note that the competency recommendations contained within the Framework are, and almost certainly always will be, broader than the scope of the CPA Exam. The Framework provides a blueprint for success in business, beyond the standards of licensure designed to protect the public interest."

Based on the requests for information thus far, it appears that the Framework is precisely the guidance many academics are seeking to proactively address future professional needs.