How do you prepare students for changes in the industry that haven’t even happened yet?” That is the question that the BYU Marriott’s School of Accountancy’s leadership, Board of Advisors, and faculty continue to grapple with as they prepare their students to enter a rapidly evolving profession.
In recent years, the accounting industry has seen seismic shifts, including advancements in data analytics, robotic process automation, and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). With such monumental changes in a short period of time, accounting education faces growing pressure to adapt and remain relevant.
“Academia moves deliberately, which is a nice way of saying ‘slowly,’ at times,” notes Troy Lewis, associate director of the SOA. “It takes a while for curriculum to get in and to get courses approved. One of the things we’ve felt like has been a success is that we’ve been able to move quickly and keep on top of the changes rather than waiting to react to them.”
This proactive approach has involved collaboration with recruiters, peer institutions, and faculty researchers to identify current trends and emerging skill demands in the market. The result? A revamped junior core curriculum, designed to help students build future-focused competencies the field now requires.
Even before the AI boom reshaped the industry, Professors David Wood and Scott Summers anticipated the growing importance of technology in accounting. They launched a data analytics course designed to equip students with hands-on experience using industry-standard tools such as SQL and Alteryx. Today, as firms increasingly rely on technology, the relevance of this course has only grown, preparing students to effectively utilize analytical tools in the workplace.
Another class created in response to employer demand is Critical Thinking in Accounting. Designed by SOA Director Doug Prawitt, Associate Director Bill Tayler, and now-retired professor Steve Glover, this class is dedicated to building analytical skills through conflict resolution frameworks.
Meanwhile, Integrated Topics in Accounting, originally developed by emeritus professor Kay Stice who laid a strong foundation for the course, was adapted by Associate Teaching Professor Jonathan Liljegren. The class provides students with real-world scenarios they are likely to encounter in the workplace, creating opportunities for them to apply their knowledge effectively and exercise sound judgment.
Along with these curriculum changes, the School of Accountancy has expanded access to its junior core program. In 2020, the SOA increased the number of junior core sections from five to six, accommodating a total of 330 new students—its largest-ever cohort. This growth, paired with a forward-looking curriculum and ongoing refinement efforts, is what has helped the SOA program thrive amid downward national trends. Within the last five years, while many accounting programs across the country have seen declining enrollments, the SOA has maintained strong application numbers and high student interest, positioning the program for growth and future success.
Along with increased enrollment, the program’s recent changes have earned praise from students, faculty, and recruiters alike. This positive reception, especially among employers, is reflected in the SOA’s 100 percent job placement rate, with students securing positions at 103 different corporations and leading firms across the industry.
“We’ve always had a lot of success for our students once they leave our program, but you can’t just expect that we will continue to see that if we don’t change,” affirms Tayler. “The fact that we have changed and we are continuing to see that success says that our changes are aligning with the changing business world.”
As the world steps into a new technological age, the SOA continues to do what it does best: preparing its students for success today while accounting for change tomorrow.
