Graduation Year
2021
Date of Submission
5-2021
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
Professor Joshua Rosett
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2021 Melanie J Moore
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the 150-hour requirement’s effects on the number of candidates sitting for the CPA exam, candidate pass rates, impact on CPA licensees, and market concentration. This paper runs OLS regressions on candidate and market effects, controlling for state GDP, population, and state CPA sitting requirements. The main findings of this paper suggest that the 150-hour requirement causes a significant decrease in the number of candidates taking the CPA exam. In the years following the 150-hour requirement effective years, pass all section rates increase, and there is a decrease in the pass rates of candidates passing zero sections. Additionally, there is a slight positive effect on CPA licensees but no impact on market distribution. This paper shows some of the long-term implications of the 150-hour requirement on candidate desire to take the CPA exam, candidate performance, and market outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Moore, Melanie, "Explaining the Effects of the 150-hour Requirement on the Number of CPA Candidates, Pass Rates, CPA Licensees, and Market Concentration" (2021). CMC Senior Theses. 2704.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/2704
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
