The Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition

The Accountancy Board of Ohio: Empowering Ohio’s Business Growth

The Education Assistance Fund (EAF) is a strategic initiative established by the Accountancy Board of Ohio (ABO) to attract, prepare, and retain future Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) supporting Ohio’s economic and workforce development goals. The fund is made possible thanks to contributions from all licensed CPAs in the state of Ohio, as a portion of their licensure and renewal fees is allocated to the EAF. This statewide investment reflects the profession’s shared commitment to building a strong pipeline of qualified accounting professionals.

As the contracted service provider, The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) is proud to deliver programs that align with the EAF’s mission. These initiatives are designed to expand awareness of the CPA profession, support students and educators, and remove unnecessary barriers to licensure.

Programs supported by EAF funds

As the designated service provider, The Ohio Society of CPAs executes programming in accordance with the EAF’s statutory purposes and under the direction of the ABO. EAF funding covers all or parts of these initiatives, with additional investment from The Ohio CPA Foundation and other partners to ensure scale and sustainability.

• Look Beyond Messaging Campaign: A statewide image campaign designed to shift perceptions of the accounting profession, highlight its impact, and attract a more diverse talent pool. 
• Accounting (Resource) Vault: A curriculum resource designed to provide K-12 educators with tools for integrating accounting concepts and career awareness to elementary, middle, and high school students.   
• Forensic Accounting Challenge: A hands-on, experiential learning competition for high school students that introduces fraud detection and investigative accounting skills.
• Destination Ohio CPA Program: This initiative provides access to UWorld CPA exam prep materials, peer support, and coaching at no cost to participants. The program’s intent is to reduce the financial burden of the examination process and increase the likelihood of candidate success. 
• Digital Badges: Verifiable credentials awarded to students participating in career exploration and business skills programs, helping them demonstrate readiness for the workforce. 
• Collaborative Partnerships: The Ohio Accounting Talent Coalition brings together industry leaders, educators, and workforce development organizations in a collaborative ecosystem. As part of this effort, OSCPA actively cultivates partnerships with organizations that engage students and educators across Ohio, such as:
• Business Professionals of America (BPA) and DECA: Connecting high school students with career-connected learning experiences in accounting. 
• Educational Service Centers: Serving as key conduits for integrating accounting curriculum into middle and high school career exploration programs. 
• College Board: Supporting access to advanced coursework and career planning resources.
• Greater Cleveland Partnership and Team NEO: Enabling regional scalability and innovation through economic development collaboration. 
• Junior Achievement, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and Upward Bound: Providing mentorship, experiential learning, and exposure to accounting careers for underserved communities.

• Educational Scholarships: Through EAF funding, new scholarships have been established to support aspiring CPAs across educational pathways, including those pursuing accounting education at community colleges or two-year institutions. These scholarships promote early momentum toward CPA licensure. Awards are targeted at supporting students who demonstrate academic potential and interest in accounting careers. These scholarships are part of a broader strategy—supported by both EAF and Ohio CPA Foundation resources—to reduce financial barriers and promote early momentum toward CPA licensure.

These EAF-supported programs complement and enhance the longstanding initiatives of The Ohio CPA Foundation, including Accounting Career Days, CPA Camps, and leadership development experiences. Together, they form a comprehensive and inclusive strategy to strengthen Ohio’s CPA pipeline and align accounting workforce development with the state’s broader economic priorities.

To learn more about the implementation plan, governance structure, and results achieved to date, explore the workforce development page, including the “Where Are We Now” document, which provides a status update at the 18-month mark (published June 3, 2025).   

With Gratitude to the Accountancy Board of Ohio

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Accountancy Board of Ohio for its vision, leadership, and active stewardship of EAF. Established and sustained through contributions from Ohio’s licensed CPAs, the EAF represents a shared investment in the future of the accounting profession.

The Board’s commitment is helping expand access to CPA licensure and ensure its long-term vitality in Ohio. When combined with private dollars from The Ohio CPA Foundation and its supporters, EAF resources power scalable, high-impact programming that reflects the diversity, talent, and economic dynamism of our communities.