Bipartisan members of Congress have introduced the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act to address a projected shortage of accountants by incorporating accounting into federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) grant programs. The legislation seeks to expand the permissible uses of existing Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include accounting curricula and career awareness.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 124,200 annual openings for accountants and auditors through 2034, representing a 5 percent growth rate. However, many of these openings are to replace retirees rather than new job creation. Proponents of the bill, including the American Institute of CPAs, note that the number of students taking the CPA exam has declined, leading some states like Texas to offer alternative 150-credit-hour pathways for certification.
The House version of the bill was introduced in April 2025 by Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), while the Senate version followed in February 2026, sponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jacky Rosen (Nev.). The legislation would allow school districts to use federal funds for accounting-related internships, mentorships, and data analytics training, specifically targeting groups underrepresented in the field. As of July 2026, both versions remained in their respective committees without further action.
The scale of the impact involves the reallocation of existing federal grant funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Because the bill does not authorize new spending, school districts would have to choose between funding accounting programs or other eligible STEM activities. For a typical school district, this means a shift in how federal academic enrichment dollars are spent locally. Supporters point to a Harris Poll finding that 74 percent of Americans agree with classifying accounting as STEM, suggesting broad public receptivity to the change.
The knock-on effects could influence the labor market and state-level licensing. By increasing "career awareness" at the K-12 level, the bill aims to widen the "starting line" of the talent pipeline before students reach the college level. This federal effort complements recent moves by states like Texas, which changed its licensure rules on August 1 to address the shortage. The next steps for the legislation depend on the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where the bills are currently referred. No specific dates for votes or hearings were reported as of July 2026.