OSCPA forms industry-sector partnership to address accounting talent shortage

By Suzanne Perry, CAE, MBA, OSCPA director, strategic communication 

Nearly 30 organizations have signed on as founding members of The Ohio Society of CPAs’ newly formed Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition—an industry-sector partnership designed to manage Ohio’s accounting workforce strategy. 

Coalition founders include organizations of every size and sector, including academia, nonprofit, public accounting, government, and business and industry. 

OSCPA President & CEO Scott Wiley, CAE, commended the inaugural coalition members for their foresight and commitment to working to resolve the talent shortage in Ohio. “The Buckeye state is fortunate to have so many forward-thinking leaders who understand the bold action required to reverse the decline in the accounting talent space,” said Wiley, adding that Ohio is home to 24 Fortune 500 companies, nearly 100 colleges and universities with accounting degree programs, and major offices for all the nation’s top public accounting firms. “We have a diverse range of organizations participating in this effort, bringing the kind of collaboration and innovation that is critical to the success of our efforts.” 

In tandem with the coalition’s formation, Wiley is spearheading efforts to secure the funding necessary to ensure the coalition has the necessary resources to drive meaningful change in addressing decades-old issues that have contributed to the accounting talent supply gap. 

Bober Markey Fedorovich is among the public accounting firms represented in the coalition. BMF Executive Chairman and incoming OSCPA Board Chair Rick Fedorovich, CPA, said he is eager to join forces with others in the coalition to bring about immediate, positive, and lasting change to Ohio’s pipeline of future CPAs. “Scott and the OSCPA team are thinking about this workforce development initiative in a bold, holistic, and innovative way,” said Fedorovich. “OSCPA’s research-based strategy, deep understanding of the issues facing the profession, and broad coalition of key stakeholders are positioning Ohio to build the diverse and robust pipeline of future CPAs that is needed to handle the growing demand for accounting talent in our state.” 

Coalition members will have exclusive access to storytelling assets, curriculum models, and other resources to further OSCPA’s workforce development initiatives. 

“We welcome organizations that are interested in advancing our workforce development efforts,” said Wiley, adding that a recent poll of Ohio CPAs in public and corporate accounting found that their number one challenge is access to skilled accounting talent. “One of the best ways to help move the needle on that is to join the Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition.” 

To learn more about the coalition and how you can get involved, contact OSCPA’s Chief Learning Officer Tiffany Crosby, CPA, CGMA, MBA, at 614.764.2727, ext. 2255 or The Ohio CPA Foundation’s Director of Partnership Development Lori Brown at 614.764.2727, ext. 2221. 

Founding members of OSCPA’s Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition: