In this video, Rose Hu, clinical assistant professor of accounting and law, and faculty director of the MS in Accounting, and Brittany Bartula, clinical assistant professor of accounting and law and faculty director of the BS in Accounting, address important questions for students and alumni.
Beginning in November 2026, New York State will introduce a new CPA licensure pathway.
In addition to the existing pathway option of 150-credit hours with one year of experience, candidates will have the option to pursue licensure with 120 credit hours and two years of relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Both pathways still require the CPA Exam and a total of six years of combined education and experience.
In the U.S., many states have passed legislation or amended regulations to introduce a 120-credit pathway to help address talent shortages in accounting. Some believe reducing the education required will result in more candidates being attracted to the profession, while most industry commentary acknowledges that this addresses only one dimension of a broader pipeline issue driven by labor market conditions, evolving career preferences among students and long‑run demographic and educational trends.
The new 120-credit pathway in New York State allows candidates to qualify for the minimum CPA licensure standards after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, which can mean entering the workforce earlier if all course requirements are met.
For some, this timeline is appealing, especially if cost or time is a major factor. However, it’s important to note that while this alternative pathway prepares candidates to enter the profession, the traditional 150-credit pathway may better prepare candidates for long-term success. Many employers still prefer candidates with advanced education and skillsets for core, specialized and leadership roles, with numerous career advancement opportunities requiring advanced degrees.
The 150-credit pathway — often through a master's degree — provides depth and breadth: advanced technical knowledge, exposure to analytics and emerging technologies, and development of critical thinking, professional judgement and communication skills.
The UB MS in Accounting, in particular, provides real-world experiential learning opportunities like performing enterprise risk assessments, analyzing SEC filings, leading meetings with accounting policy directors, conducting consultations with emerging small business owners, preparing tax provisions, and much more. This practice helps build skills and confidence for students preparing to enter the professional workforce and differentiate employees in their key early years.
Higher level skills are essential as automation and AI reshape routine tasks.
Industry leaders predict that new hires will quickly move into supervisory roles, overseeing technology rather than performing repetitive work. One Big 4 AI assurance leader recently told Business Insider that new hires will be doing the roles of managers, overseeing AI as it performs routine, repetitive audit tasks.
The alternative CPA licensure pathway and adoption of AI are two separate trends hitting the profession at once. Students need to be mindful of both when determining their pathway for entering the profession.
While a BS in Accounting provides a strong foundation, there is limited time with all the content needed to fulfill the requirements of CPA Evolution and university requirements.
An MS in Accounting allows students to gain the skills they need in their chosen discipline, preparing them to begin their careers with expanded knowledge and ample practice.
Graduate school is useful and sometimes necessary for students who wish to pursue management or executive-level positions. An MS in Accounting prepares graduates for a successful career in the evolving market ahead, beyond the minimum entry requirements for a first job.
Apart from the CPA Exam or accounting-focused roles, a master’s degree is increasingly the norm for anyone who seeks to advance, lead and grow into more complex roles within any organization.
Evidence suggests that candidates who complete a master’s degree often achieve stronger CPA Exam outcomes. Graduate school allows dedicated time for focused CPA Exam preparation without the competing demands of full‑time employment.
An MS in Accounting provides more in-depth coverage of upper-level CPA Exam topics that the time constraints of a BS in Accounting do not allow.
While pursuing a master’s degree involves both direct and opportunity costs, many alumni report that the return on investment through earlier promotion readiness, broader career options and stronger long-term earnings potential more than justifies the additional investment. And there are a number of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available to help with the cost. The UB School of Management provides students with all the information and support needed to apply for a variety of funding sources, and our MS in Accounting students often have upwards of $100,000 in internal and external scholarships awarded to help support their professional career preparation.
The School of Management remains committed to preparing strong, ethical leaders for the accounting profession. While both pathways lead to licensure, they differ in how they prepare candidates. The 120-credit option offers speed and reduced cost, while the 150-credit pathway offers a stronger foundation and long-term competitive advantage that prepares students for the many years of their career ahead.
With clear information from the Accounting and Law Department and personalized guidance, students can choose the path that best aligns with their career goals.
We encourage students to gain perspective and consider each pathway carefully with knowledgeable and trusted mentors.
To learn more, contact Professor Rose Hu at rmhu@buffalo.edu, Professor Brittany Bartula at bbartula@buffalo.edu, or another member of the Accounting and Law faculty.
Read more from AACSB, our accrediting body, about how students must balance the short-term appeal of bypassing graduate school with the long-term professional value of more advanced training.