Abstract Public accounting is in its infancy as compared with the older professions of medicine, law, and engineering, as of January 1946. The rapid strides made by this young profession within a relatively short time are enough to account for its chronic educational and training problems. Indeed, it is true that many beginners who in the early 1920s were considered well qualified to enter the public accounting field would be judged inadequate by the criteria used today. In the early 1920s, public accounting firms were primarily interested in the bookkeeping ability, business experience, personal attributes, and potentialities of applicants. Although a college background was desirable it was not a requisite. Accounting technique was then considered as something to be learned over the years as an adjunct to experience gained while working on engagements under the direction of competent accountants. This method of entering professional work was not uncommon in the early days of several professions.

Abstract The title of this paper, College Education As a Requirement for Public Accountants in New York State, is rather ambiguous. It suggests that all public accountants practicing in New York must meet certain scholastic requirements. Of course, this is not true. There is no law in New York State restricting the practice of public accounting to certified public accountants (CPA). The college education requirement mentioned in the title refers to the New York CPA law which became effective from January 1, 1938. This law specifies that candidates for the examination leading to certification must be graduates of colleges or schools of accountancy registered by the State Education Department as maintaining satisfactory standards. To meet satisfactory standards, a school must offer a four-year course, or its equivalent, in cultural and business subjects including 24 hours of accounting, 8 hours each of business law and finance, and 6 hours of economics. This law, which for the first time set minimum scholastic requirements at college level, did not become effective until January 1, 1938.