The 2009 New York Accountancy Law’s Paradoxical Impact on Faculty: Non-CPAs versus Inactive CPAs

Abstract

This essay was borne out of the personal experience of one of the authors (Fischer), who was an inactive CPA in Maryland for many years and had just accepted a position as an accounting professor at a New York-based college. Upon accepting the offer, Fischer was told that he must not only reactivate his Maryland license, but must also transfer it to New York State. In researching the law, we found that New York indeed requires professors to hold an active NY CPA license if they were previously licensed in any state. On the other hand, individuals who have never been licensed may continue to teach without a license.

Keywords: CPA License, Teaching of Accounting, New York State Law

JEL Classification: H75, I28, K23, M48, Z18