Accounting is the backbone of every successful business in this great state of ours. From strengthening internal controls to finding the best tax solutions and workflow efficiencies, accounting and finance professionals, particularly certified public accountants, work tirelessly to help individuals and businesses thrive. Their financial expertise, business acumen and strategic analysis are relied on every day to help businesses grow and individuals to plan for retirement, college or other life events.
While accounting professionals’ steadfast commitment to serving individuals and the business community hasn’t changed, how they perform their daily functions has. Accounting and finance professionals increasingly have come to rely on integrating technology and data analysis for auditing, are masters of Excel and other sophisticated data management tools and have helped create and utilize advanced software in finding better efficiencies in their jobs. Artificial intelligence augments their capabilities by automating repetitive tasks that allow them to focus on high-value analysis, better forecasting and strategic decision-making.
Universities also routinely incorporate more data analysis in their accounting programs, which aligns with other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. Often, accounting students are required to take courses involving cybersecurity practices, coding, specialized analytics, statistics and critical thinking.
Technology has become so much a part of new accounting functions that since 2024 a new section of the CPA Exam, called Information System and Controls, was added to give CPA candidates who excel in business processes, information systems, information security and governance, and IT audit the opportunity to test in this area as part of the transformation of the CPA licensure model.
For all these reasons, accounting should be recognized under the STEM designation. At the state level, the STEM recognition would qualify accounting for various loan redemption and workforce development programs through New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. A STEM designation would boost the visibility of accounting programs and careers, attracting students who might not have considered accounting otherwise. It also encourages more young professionals who are more technologically focused to join the profession.
We at the NJCPA urge New Jersey legislators to recognize accounting as STEM and support Assembly Bill 4236, which was introduced in February by New Jersey Assemblyman Sterley Stanley’s (D-18) and is co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales (D-34). A4236 would amend statutory law to include accounting as STEM and, therefore, be eligible for various state programs including:
- A grant program to provide eligible teachers additional remuneration to teach STEM classes at nonpublic schools;
- The Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program to increase participation of unrepresented students in STEM fields and develop a more diverse STEM workforce;
- A loan redemption program for teachers who teach STEM classes;
- A tuition reimbursement program for teachers of STEM subjects;
- A grant program to support funding for adult apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries including STEM.
The bill complements national initiatives already afoot that recognize accounting as STEM, making them eligible for K-12 federal funding, which we, along with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and other state CPA societies, have endorsed. The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act (H.R.2911), introduced in 2025, and (S-3784) in 2026, have broad support in both chambers of Congress, with nearly 60 cosponsors. By specifically amending the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant program, the legislation promotes career awareness in accounting and creates open access to the profession for a broader base of students — crucially making students aware of accounting at younger ages.
We have a history of advocating for this issue and other initiatives that advance the accounting profession forward. In October of 2024, we convened in Trenton along with 30 of our members to discuss accounting being recognized as STEM with New Jersey lawmakers, along with other business-friendly initiatives. We will continue to support this worthy initiative and encourage others to join us in shining a light on all of the socioeconomic benefits legislation like this provides.
A.J. Johnson is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs
