The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has updated its resources for educators to provide students with the knowledge and talents that prepare them for accounting careers.

The Foundational Competencies Framework for Aspiring CPAs defined the skills-based competencies students need as they enter the profession, regardless of their career paths or the performance of specific accounting services.

The competencies are defined in three areas. They are:

• Technical (risk assessment, analysis and management; analysis and decision-making; measurement and reporting; research; technology, systems and process management);

• Organizational (strategic management; performance management; resource management; environmental, social and governance management); and

• Leadership (ethical leadership, critical thinking; collaboration; self-management; communication).

The guide aims to assist faculty to incorporate these competencies into their curricula to prepare their students for a career as a CPA, enable students to acquire the areas of knowledge through their accounting coursework that will prepare them for the accounting profession, and allow employers to gain insight into how the next generation of accounting professionals are being prepared for accounting careers based on employer feedback.

“This Framework, when used in conjunction with the AICPA CPA Exam Blueprint, should provide accounting educators supporting students on the CPA pathway essential tools to assist in choosing the curricula used in their classrooms,” according to the AICPA.

This document is an update to the AICPA’s previous Pre-Certification Core Competencies Framework, CPA Practice Advisor reported.