For many accounting students, the CPA exam is one of the most important milestones between graduation and a long-term career in the profession. It can also be one of the most difficult to navigate.
At the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Von Allmen School of Accountancy is working to make that transition more manageable through ACC 395, an independent study course designed to help students begin CPA exam preparation while they are still completing their undergraduate studies.
The course provides structure, accountability and guidance at a stage when many students have the motivation to pursue licensure, but are still figuring out how to turn that goal into a workable plan. In doing so, it addresses both an immediate student need and a broader challenge facing the accounting profession.
“The most common challenges are not a lack of ability or motivation, but structure, confidence and time management,” said Olivia N. Davis, associate director of the Von Allmen School of Accountancy and assistant clinical professor. “Many students struggle with knowing where to start, how to pace themselves and how to study effectively over a long horizon while juggling coursework, jobs and personal responsibilities.”
The course comes at a time when the accounting profession is facing a well-documented CPA pipeline challenge. Demand for licensed CPAs remains strong, but fewer candidates have been sitting for the exam in recent years. At the same time, the exam has become more complex, requiring sustained preparation over months rather than short bursts of study.
Davis said she saw a clear gap between students’ academic preparation and their ability to independently manage CPA exam study.
“Students often had access to review materials but lacked accountability, coaching and a realistic plan tailored to their individual circumstances,” she said. “ACC 395 was created to bridge that gap by embedding exam preparation into an academic structure without turning it into another traditional content-heavy course.”
Rather than focusing on new accounting content, the course centers on study planning, weekly progress tracking, reflection and self-assessment. Students build realistic schedules and monitor their habits as they work toward exam readiness.
To further support students in the process, Davis also organized a meet-and-greet session with a national instructor from Becker Professional Education, the CPA review provider used nationwide by CPA candidates. The session gave students the opportunity to ask questions about exam preparation strategies and hear insights from someone who works with CPA candidates across the country. Davis said opportunities like this help students feel more connected to the broader professional community while navigating the demanding preparation process.
For accounting and finance student Deborah Burden, the course created an opportunity to begin serious CPA preparation while also earning academic credit.
“I came into college already knowing I wanted to work in public accounting,” she said. “Throughout my classes and experiences, I kept hearing how important the CPA credential is, so from the beginning, I planned my coursework so that I could follow the CPA path.”
She said one of her biggest concerns before enrolling was figuring out how to structure her studying in a way that would actually lead to success.
“My biggest concern was figuring out how to structure my studying so I could successfully pass the exams,” Deborah said. “This course has taught me that there isn’t a perfect way to study and that it’s more important to truly understand the material and find a study plan that works for you.”
Using CPA prep software, students in the course build personalized study plans based on target exam dates and their available study time. They then submit progress reports and reflections that help them stay on track.
For Deborah, that accountability has made a noticeable difference.
“Knowing that I’m tracking my hours and working toward 150 hours keeps me motivated to stay consistent while developing good study habits,” she said. “Even when my schedule gets busy, it encourages me to study at least a little rather than skipping it altogether.”
For Emily Ham, another student enrolled in ACC 395, the course has helped make CPA preparation feel less isolating and more intentional.
She said she originally entered college as a finance major, but discovered her interest in accounting after taking an introductory course with retired professor Jane Wells. As she learned more about the profession and completed a tax internship, the importance of the CPA credential became clear.
“I wanted to participate in this course because it felt like such a valuable opportunity,” Emily said. “The chance to get a head start on studying, earn course credit toward my CPA requirements and have built-in faculty and peer support really stood out to me.”
Emily said one of her biggest worries was accountability — not whether she cared enough to prepare, but whether she could maintain the structure and momentum the exam requires over time.
The course’s weekly reflections have been especially helpful in that regard.
“It’s not just about logging time, but about analyzing how effectively that time was used,” she said. “We evaluate what we improved on, what still needs work and how we plan to adjust our habits moving forward.”
That process has helped her develop habits that extend beyond exam preparation.
“The weekly reflections in this course have helped me be more intentional about how I use my time,” Emily said. “Learning how to reflect on a task, identify areas for improvement and make changes for next time is critical for long-term success in any field.”
She also pointed to peer support as one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.
“Knowing that I am not going through CPA exam preparation alone has been a game changer,” Emily said. “Seeing others work toward the same goal reminds me that I am not alone in the challenges, which makes the process feel much more achievable.”
Davis said the course is designed not only to help students sit for the CPA exam, but also to build the self-management skills they will need throughout their careers.
“The course provides structured milestones, required study hours, regular reflections and scheduled check-ins that mirror the discipline needed for CPA success,” she said. “Students are not just told to study, they are guided through goal-setting, progress monitoring and self-assessment.”
That approach reflects Gatton’s ongoing relationship with the accounting profession. Davis, who came to Gatton directly from public accounting, said firms consistently emphasize the importance of licensure and the value of completing the exam as quickly as possible after graduation.
“This initiative reflects a strong, reciprocal relationship with the profession,” she said. “It positions the Von Allmen School of Accountancy as an active partner in addressing workforce challenges.”
The early feedback has been encouraging. Davis said students report feeling more confident, less overwhelmed and more accountable in their preparation. Enrollment demand and engagement have also confirmed that the need is real.
For both students, the course has helped transform CPA preparation from an intimidating, abstract goal into a more manageable process.
After graduation, Burden will join PwC as an audit associate and sees the CPA licensure as an essential part of her long-term growth in public accounting.
Ham hopes to work in public tax accounting and said the credential is critical to the level of responsibility she wants to eventually hold in the profession.
Both said they would encourage other students to begin the process early if they have the opportunity.
“If they have the time and want to get ahead, I would absolutely recommend it,” Buden said. “This course is a great way to start preparing for the CPA while still in school because it gives you the opportunity to figure out which study strategies work best for you with less pressure.”
Ham echoed that advice.
“Starting the CPA process early has given me time to figure out what works for me and build confidence before the pressure really sets in,” she said. “The structure and support make it much less overwhelming than trying to study completely on your own.”
For Davis, that is the point.
“Success means students consistently sit for the CPA exam with confidence, persistence and a clear plan,” she said. “Ultimately, success is students seeing licensure as achievable rather than intimidating.”
