Accounting profession leaders from across the country took part in the Indiana CPA Society’s Vision2027 forum in Indianapolis on May 8, where a key topic of discussion was how the future of the accounting profession can be shaped through innovative workforce strategies.
The Vision2027 initiative—launched alongside a new three-year strategic plan in 2024—focuses on protecting the profession, developing new talent, and connecting the accounting community. Now in its second year, this one-day thought leadership event is designed for professionals, educators, policy influencers, and business leaders seeking actionable insights into the future of accounting and finance, INCPAS said.
Last week’s forum brought together a variety of stakeholders from the accounting profession and the business community, including the Association of Latino Professionals for America, The Center for Audit Quality, The Corydon Group, NABA Inc., state CPA societies, and Indiana business owners.
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This year’s theme for Vision2027—”Protecting the Profession. Developing New Talent. Connecting the Community.”—reflects a commitment to tackling the profession’s most pressing challenges by exchanging successful models of educational impact and inclusive leadership, INCPAS said.

“A lot is changing at the state and federal level that’s impacting us all, including the schools, universities, and associations that we work with,” INCPAS President and CEO Courtney Kincaid said in a statement. “We need to continue collaborating with a broader range of partners to build a sustainable profession.”
The forum was held nearly a month after Indiana Gov. Michael Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1143 into law, making Indiana one of the first 10 states to adopt an additional pathway to CPA licensure.
Effective Jan. 1, 2027, this new pathway will allow CPA candidates to become licensed with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, two years of relevant experience, and successful completion of the CPA exam—preserving professional rigor while removing unnecessary barriers to entry.
INCPAS said the bill’s future effective date aligns with administrative processes from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, CPA exam providers, and the Indiana Board of Accountancy.
“This new pathway responds to the growing recognition that the traditional 150-hour education model, while well-intentioned, can hinder entry into the profession—especially among underrepresented students and career-changers,” INCPAS said in a media release.
By adding flexibility to obtaining the CPA license, INCPAS and other organizations are now better positioned to promote the accounting profession as an accessible, affordable, and adaptable career path, the group said.
In anticipation of this, INCPAS and NABA have launched ConnectIN—a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen talent pipelines, workforce development, and entrepreneurship in fields such as accounting, finance, business, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. This partnership aims to address critical talent shortages by creating bold, practical solutions to build a more robust and inclusive workforce while fostering innovation and economic growth, INCPAS said.
“I’m proud of these profession leaders and our members for their commitment to our shared vision for a stronger future,” Kincaid said. “Meeting the evolving needs of the Indiana business community, without compromising quality, remains at the forefront of what INCPAS can do to advocate for and build a stronger profession for Hoosiers.”
Photo courtesy of the Indiana CPA Society.
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Tags: accountants, Accounting, INCPAS, Indiana CPA Society