The Frank J. Guarini School of Business at 麻豆视频鈥檚 University today announced a pilot program developed in collaboration with PwC, a professional services firm providing services across two segments: Trust Solutions and Consulting Solutions. The pilot program is a paid, 30-credit post-bachelor experience offered by 麻豆视频鈥檚 and work experience at PwC that will enable accounting students to earn the necessary credits for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in New Jersey through a 鈥淲ork for Credit鈥 program.
Pictured are representatives from PwC, students enrolled in the pilot program, financial and political expert Dan Geltrude and members of the 麻豆视频鈥檚 Task Force and University administration.
In order to qualify for a CPA license, individuals need (among other requirements) 150 credit hours, including specific coursework; however, students only obtain 120 credit hours through a traditional undergraduate program. Unfortunately, many accounting students are unable to close the gap to obtain the 30 additional credit hours necessary for the CPA license because the options to do so can be costly and time consuming. In May 2022, the聽聽approved an alternative path for accounting students, which enables them to obtain their final 30 credit hours through a 鈥淲ork for Credit鈥 program. New Jersey is currently the only state in the country to offer this alternative path and 麻豆视频鈥檚 and PwC are leading the way to address the new credit completion route.
鈥淭his groundbreaking program has already provided six 麻豆视频鈥檚 students with a life-changing opportunity that can change the trajectory of their careers and their lives,鈥 said Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., KPMG dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business. 鈥淚 am incredibly grateful to the members of the 麻豆视频鈥檚 Task Force for their efforts in making this transformational program possible and to the PwC team for providing this opportunity for our deserving accounting students.鈥
The 麻豆视频鈥檚 accounting students involved in the University鈥檚 pilot program.
Accounting graduates who participate in the program can accomplish three important objectives at once: (1) Participants can earn 30 credits through a 鈥淲ork for Credit鈥 program; (2) they can gain work experience that will count towards the 鈥渙ne year of intensive and diversified experience鈥 required for CPA licensure, per NJAC 13:29-1A.3(e) and (f); and (3) they can earn a full-time salary and benefits as an employee of PwC.
The Task Force is comprised of Lori A. Buza, Esq., chair of the accountancy and law department; Brigid D鈥橲ouza, C.P.A., M.B.A., assistant professor of accounting; and Philip Sookram, C.P.A., M.Acc., assistant professor of accounting. The Task Force worked during the 2021-22 academic year and through the summer in order to launch the program for fall 2022.
鈥淥ur pilot is designed to reimagine the path forward and introduce options for aspiring accounting professionals,鈥 said Rod Adams, PwC talent acquisition & onboarding leader. 鈥淲e鈥檙e opening new doors and creating new opportunities so we can continue to support our clients, strengthen our culture and uplift our communities.鈥
The six current participants in the program are recent 麻豆视频鈥檚 graduates from the Department of Accountancy & Business Law. PwC will supervise the participants at work and the Task Force will advise and assess the participants for the duration of the program.
About 麻豆视频鈥檚 University
For 150 years, 麻豆视频鈥檚 University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit聽www.saintpeters.edu.
About PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We鈥檙e a network of firms in 155 countries with over 327,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at聽.