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AICPA DEVELOPING AP HIGH SCHOOL COURSE IN ACCOUNTING

Scottsdale, Ariz. -- The American Institute of CPAs is working with the College Board to develop an advanced placement course in accounting for high school students.

"We've been working very hard on an advanced placement course in high school for accounting," William Ezell, co-chairman of the AICPA's Pathways Commission, told attendees at the AICPA Spring Meeting of Council.

The AICPA met with the College Board last July, but was initially told the board is not adding AP courses right now. The AICPA said that it had already developed a course that it could give the College Board. The board gave the institute a list of items it would need before it could approve such a course, including an overview, a syllabus of the college courses it would replace and how it would fit into the overall high school curriculum. In January, the AICPA delivered on those requirements.

"They asked for 100 colleges and universities that would accept this course and give credit if offered, and we've given them over 110 thus far," said Ezzell. "That number is climbing. They asked for 250 high schools that would offer this course, and we've given them 450 that have already agreed and we're building that number as well. So we have delivered on everything the College Board has asked for. They've come back for a few more things and we're delivering on that shortly."

The AICPA is modeling the AP course and training program for teachers after an accounting pilot and bridge program that Professor Dan Deines at Kansas State University has used to train over 800 high school teachers in a similar course in the past six years.

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