Earning a CPA license before graduation: A valuable asset
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—“Before I started CPA preparation courses through WMU Haworth’s Master of Science in Accountancy program, I found the process of getting ready for the CPA exam quite daunting,” says Delaney Knoll from Frankenmuth, Michigan. “I started my master’s courses with the hope that I could pass one or two sections of the exam before starting my full-time job. Progressing through WMU’s CPA prep courses helped me realize that I had the potential to pass all four sections before I graduated.”
Knoll is experiencing just what Dr. Jim Penner, chair of the Department of Accountancy, intended when the department integrated courses that aligned closely with CPA exam content. He hoped students would gain a feeling of readiness and confidence. “One of the biggest hurdles students face starting their careers is passing the CPA exam,” says Penner.
Instead of leaving exam preparation until after graduation, accountancy faculty wanted students to engage with the advanced concepts on the exam while they still had faculty support and a built-in structure. “Over time, we’ve refined the courses to match the new CPA Evolution model to ensure our graduates can hit the ground running,” says Penner.
With 60% of WMU accountancy students planning to earn their CPA license at some point in their careers, making that pursuit more attainable and less stressful was top of mind for Penner and accountancy faculty members.
“My career goals are to start in public accounting and eventually enter a corporate setting after gaining experience and knowledge,” says Knoll. “Having both a master’s degree and the CPA completed opens so many doors and allows me to choose the best path for me personally.”
Knoll has found a variety of courses in the M.S.A. program that focus on content applicable to her career goals. And she’s had mentors that were made for her along the way.
“Dr. Cari Burke Kolehmainen has been incredibly supportive, from start to finish. I remember sitting in her office before I began my master’s degree. She gave me a timeline of when I could take each section of the CPA exam so that I could be done by the end of the year.”
Knoll recalls thinking that would be nearly impossible for her. “Dr. Burke Kolehmainen helped me develop the confidence to try. She coached me for my first CPA section, auditing and attestation, and she also offered many different test-taking and study tips. As WMU accounting students, we are extremely lucky to have a professor that cares so deeply about each student’s personal goals.”
When Knoll begins her full-time role at Plante Moran’s Chicago office this January, she will be able to focus on her new position without the added workload of studying for the CPA exam. That’s correct—Knoll got official notice that she passed all four sections of the exam at the close of fall semester!
“It’s always great to see students finish the CPA exam while they’re still on campus. It gives them a huge sense of accomplishment and momentum heading into their careers,” says Penner. “We’ve seen a clear jump in pass rates among those taking the CPA prep classes as part of the M.S.A. program. The combination of structure, support and timing has made a real difference in their success.”
Success is what M.S.A. students find at WMU Haworth:
- 100% of M.S.A. graduates are working or continuing their education quickly after earning their degree.
- 100% of M.S.A. graduates participated in Experience-Driven Learning while earning their degree.
- 100% of M.S.A. graduates felt their instructors cared about them as a person.
And the high degree of relevant, hands-on learning has kept the WMU program in demand. “We’ve seen real success with this approach, including steady growth in our M.S.A. enrollments even as programs across the country have declined,” says Penner. “It’s a great sign that students see the value in what we’re doing. I’m especially proud of our faculty, who continue to build on an already strong program with new ideas and energy.”
What’s next for the accountancy programs at WMU?
“We’re expanding our focus on the Certified Management Accountant credential to give students another strong professional pathway alongside the CPA,” says Penner. “We’re also creating more international experiences that help students see how accounting connects globally. At the same time, we’re working with industry partners to guarantee every student has valuable, real-world experience before graduation.”
Learn more about accountancy at WMU.
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