Oregon State University – Cascades will offer a new bachelor’s degree in accountancy in the fall of 2025 to address the growing need for financial experts in Central Oregon and across the state.
About 1,300 jobs are projected to open annually for accountants and auditors through 2032 in Oregon, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Openings for certified public accountants in Oregon are expected to further increase as current CPAs retire. According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 75% of CPAs in the U.S. were nearing or have reached retirement age.
To address the shortage, the Oregon State Legislature passed an emergency bill that took effect on July 1 establishing the Oregon Board of Accountancy Pipeline Fund, a $1 million, needs-based scholarship program for students seeking higher education in accounting. The application will open in early 2026 and scholarships will be awarded starting in the 2026 spring term.
“It’s a dynamic and opportune time for young people, or people hoping to advance or change careers, to enter the accounting profession,” said Logan Steele, an associate professor of accounting. “Employers and clients are actively seeking tech-savvy accounting graduates who can strategically problem-solve and help find solutions for the most complex financial challenges.”
Steele, who serves on the Oregon Board of Accountancy and will lead the program, said that while powerful software platforms produce mathematical processes and analyses that inform the work of CPAs and other financial experts, the human component will remain essential.
The accountancy degree is offered through OSU’s College of Business, where the Corvallis-based program experienced a 98% job placement rate in 2024 and accountancy graduates’ average starting salary was $67,880.
Top employers for alumni of the accounting program include KPMG International, Moss Adams, LLP and Deloitte & Touche.
Students in the program will take courses in specialized business topics, including financial and managerial accounting, as well as courses in economics and communications. They will also participate in career development activities throughout their academic experience that might include internships, practicums and networking activities.
The accountancy program at OSU-Cascades will be delivered primarily in-person, with some courses delivered online via OSU’s Ecampus.
Programs also offered through the College of Business at OSU-Cascades include business administration and hospitality management.
To learn more, visit osucascades.edu/accountancy.
