AECC Urges Decoupling of Academic Studies and Professional Accounting Examination Preparation: Issues Statement No. 2.

Abstract The article reports on the Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) urging schools and students to maximize the educational opportunities provided by collegiate curricula. A primary concern of the Commission is the disruption in students' education caused by their taking examination review courses and engaging in other activities of a review nature in preparing to write professional examinations. The Commission also believes that degree credit should not be given for courses that are designed primarily to review for professional examinations. Curriculum objectives should be focused more broadly. AECC recommends that candidates for the CPA Examination be required to complete their state's education requirements prior to applying to sit for the examination. The Commission believes that postponing applying to take the CPA Examination until the state's education requirements have been fulfilled will be beneficial in situations where schools complete the spring semester prior to the May examination.