Aiysha Johnson, CEO & Executive Director, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants

Keen on broadening the range of opportunities for young professionals entering the accounting profession and reducing barriers, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) is hard at work advocating for the industry, supporting firms, and working with educational institutions to usher in the next wave of accounting professionals. In an interview with Invest:, NJCPA’s CEO Aiysha (AJ) Johnson highlights efforts to expand pathways to CPA licensure and ways her organization is guiding accounting and finance professionals through ongoing career and industry transformation.

What have been the most significant changes that have impacted your operations in the past year?

We have been dealing with a lot of changes in the profession, namely when it comes to legislation. We are working on creating an alternative pathway to CPA licensure in New Jersey and across other states. This is geared towards making the profession more open and accessible. We expect the bill to be finalized this fall with an effective date of January 1, 2026. Our bill passed the full Assembly on May 22, and its companion bill was passed on June 12 by the Senate Commerce Committee. As such, we expect everything to be finalized following the summer New Jersey legislative recess.

What changes in the profession are motivating these alternative pathways to licensure?

At a broad level, our board approved having a task force look further into any barriers to licensure. We recognized there are ongoing challenges with becoming licensed and are working towards addressing this. The other aspect is reworking the narrative and changing the beliefs around accounting, which were often incorrect. And we also wanted everyone, from educators to firms, to be involved in the conversation. Looking at firms, for example, we want to have the conversation around salaries and firm culture. Companies should be doing the same thing. There was this whole concentrated effort when it comes to attracting students and talent into the profession; it is not one single magic bullet that we will look at in order to impact change. However, allowing for additional pathways will foster opportunities and reduce costs for professionals to become licensed. This is why we want more students to major in accounting, stick with the profession, and aim for the gold standard of becoming a CPA. 

With the alternative pathway, candidates would have two options. Currently, entry into the profession requires 150 credit hours — equivalent to a master’s degree or an additional year of study — plus one year of work experience and passage of the CPA Exam. The required additional 30 hours of education can be costly, and while many students see the value of the career, they may find the extra schooling and requirements financially out of reach.

The other pathway will be for students to achieve their undergraduate degree, plus an additional year of work experience, in order to achieve licensure. This legislation would allow CPA candidates to qualify for licensure by earning a bachelor’s degree, completing the two years of experience, and passing the CPA Exam. We hope that the extra pathway will provide individuals with an opportunity to start working sooner rather than going for a program that will last another year.

What are the biggest challenges facing professionals in the accounting sector?

In terms of challenges, we know that there is an ongoing talent shortage. We have been focused on examining the shortage, but we know there is not a single solution to this challenge. We encourage educators to share specific messages with students and parents regarding the available opportunities in the state, such as interning and getting actual experience with our accounting and advisory firms. Conversely, we encourage firms and companies to have those internships available starting at the high school and college levels so students can receive a well-rounded experience. Many young people ask themselves where they can have the most impact, and it is up to leaders in the profession to show them. 

Another challenge is the significant number of professionals reaching retirement age. This will create a different dynamic because we are not creating the same number of licensed CPAs to compete against the rate of retirees in the industry. However, we are beginning to see progress, with encouraging data showing a 12% increase in applications to master’s in accounting programs. It is uncertain whether this trend will level off in the coming years, but we know that it is not all gloom and doom. We have been hard at work, as have other state CPA societies. We know that as stakeholders we have a role to play, to keep our eye on the trends, and appeal to students, young professionals, and non-traditional students who might be able to make a career in accounting. That is why we hope to pass our bill to open up opportunities for people considering the industry.

How can the narrative around the accounting profession be modernized to reflect today’s industry?

We aim to uplift the perception of accounting professionals. We want people to know what they are able to do in the profession and that they work as the backbone of businesses. It is not just looking at financials. Accounting professionals gain deep industry expertise from any given industry. There is a bevy of opportunities from public to private companies to startups. Young people need to understand this. When we go to high schools and connect with students at various universities, we always focus on access. We are expanding access, opportunity, and therefore, students should be able to have the impact that they want in the profession.

What industry sectors are driving the most demand for accounting and advisory services?

In terms of key issues in the accounting industry, we continue to see M&A activity and private equity transactions happening across the state. All of this will create a shift in the profession, and over time, we will see those types of activities continue. When looking at New Jersey, the state has strong biotech and pharma sectors, and manufacturing is strong, as well as transportation. It is important that we remain competitive and increase the state’s business friendliness to ensure that the economy stays strong.

What goes into preparing professionals on AI and the ongoing digital transformation?

We know that industry professionals are looking at ways to increase efficiency, and AI is one of the ways to do it. It helps with automating routine tasks, drafting reports, and with the examination of financial reports and records in the audit process, but you still need professionals behind these tasks. AI may not replace one person’s job, but a person equipped with AI skills would. We offer education and resources and ask firm leaders about the ways they are leveraging technology. AI will create seismic change across industries, but those who are skilled at it will be the most successful.

What is your outlook for the industry in the near future?

Accountants, CPAs, and financial professionals are needed everywhere to help the economy. The pace of M&A in the accounting industry does not appear to be slowing down, so there are abundant opportunities for the profession as a whole and on an individual basis. We need to be in tune with our own message about accounting careers and get in front of students early, before they have decided on a major. A continued focus on advisory services is key as firms look at ways to layer services and create touch points for their clients and growth areas for their staff. 

It is a dynamic time for the profession. We understand there are challenges; however, we are seeing positive signs of growth in different areas. It’s an exciting time to be a CPA or accounting executive, so this keeps me optimistic for the profession.