Publication Honors Top Young Professionals

�"The tax and accounting profession continues to realize a shift that has resulted in fewer mid-level professionals who will be prepared for the leadership roles that are necessary for professional practices and the profession as a whole," said Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, the magazine's executive editor and a practicing accountant. LaFollette noted that these changes are a result of increased educational requirements that were implemented 15 to 20 years ago in order to obtain the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential. The CITP addendum to LaFollette's credential signifies that he is a Certified Information Technology Professional who has demonstrated specialized technology expertise. �While a resurgent interest in the tax and accounting profession among new graduates has brought the overall number of practitioners to near-record levels, the effects of the change in requirements is still being felt. "Accounting programs across the country are reporting substantially increased enrollment as students once again recognize the benefits of the profession both economically and through entrepreneurship," noted LaFollette. "But the age and experience gap will continue to pose a challenge to the profession as today's most experienced professionals prepare their exit strategies and firms look for seasoned practitioners to lead departments or assume partnership roles."