Alaska House votes to ease new accountants’ path to a job

A bill passed without objection by the Alaska House on Monday would make it easier for new accountants to work in the state.

House Bill 121 by Reps. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage and Julie Coulombe, R-Anchorage, would replace the current minimum education requirement for certified public accounts in Alaska.

Alaska law currently requires new CPAs to have 150 credit-hours of training. If enacted, HB 121 would replace that with 120 hours and two years of experience.

The new accountant would still have to pass a CPA licensing test.

Coulombe, speaking on the House floor, said the additional 30 credit-hours may amount to another year in college, which can deter young professionals from coming to the state.

The bill would also make it easier for out-of-state firms to do business in Alaska by aligning the state’s rules with those in other places, said Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, speaking in support of the bill.

HB 121 advances to the Senate for consideration.