Over the past decade, there has been a nationwide decline in the number of students majoring in accounting and candidates pursuing the CPA exam. Several initiatives have been undertaken to reinvigorate interest in the profession and highlight the enduring value of CPA licensure as our profession continues to evolve.
Associate Professor of Accounting Amanda Convery recently hosted a panel of distinguished alumni from the University of Delaware’s Lerner College who highlighted the importance of earning the CPA designation.
- Richard Zimny, partner at Zimny, Ratledge & Shaner LLC, remarked, “It shows a level of commitment to employers and peers that you want to achieve and work hard.”
- Dan Palazzo,SVP CAO and treasurer at Brandywine Realty Trust, noted, “Our CEO is an ex-accountant, our CFO is an ex-accountant, everyone who does our corporate reporting has a CPA.”
- Tony Polselli, partner at KPMG, said that he “left UD with confidence and wasn’t scared of the exam.”
That same confidence is now being instilled in today’s Blue Hens through the CPA stUDy program, a free resource available to both students and alumni. The program encourages participants to sit for at least one section of the exam before graduation. Working closely with Professor Convery, students design personalized study plans and receive support that goes beyond traditional materials.
The program thrives not only because of its academic rigor, but also due to the positive peer effects of studying alongside classmates. Students recognize that preparing for the CPA exam becomes far more challenging once they begin full-time careers, making early preparation essential. This combination of structured guidance, peer motivation, and strategic timing has made the CPA stUDy program a cornerstone of success for aspiring CPAs at UD.