Accounting for the Future Since 1906

Accounting has been central to Pace University’s mission since the very beginning.

Founded in 1906 as an accounting and business school, Pace was one of the earliest institutions in New York City to offer professional accounting education to both men and women. More than a century later, Pace remains a leader in accounting education, and continues to evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing profession.

Those demands have never been greater. In New York State, job growth in the accounting field is projected to reach 10 percent by 2026, with average salaries of accountants and auditors reaching $113,310. Nationally, the field is expected to add approximately 67,000 new job openings each year through 2032. But while opportunity is on the rise, the pipeline is shrinking. Bachelor’s degree completions in accounting fell nearly 8 percent between 2019 and 2022, and CPA exam participation has dropped significantly—from 48,000 candidates in 2016 to fewer than 33,000 in 2022.

Students are now realizing that accounting offers a stable career path with broad opportunities, especially as the profession evolves with technology.
—Tang

At the same time, accounting is being transformed by technology. The World Economic Forum ranks accounting among the top professions being reshaped by automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics. Today’s accountants must master cloud platforms, data visualization tools, and AI-powered audit systems—skills that are increasingly in demand across industries. “Accounting is no longer just about debits and credits,” says Lubin professor Dale Goldstein. “It’s about data analytics, ESG strategy, AI integration, and advising leadership at the highest levels.”

The future of accounting looks different than it did even a decade ago, but Pace has always been built to move forward. A century after opening its doors to aspiring accountants, Pace is still shaping the future of accounting and preparing students to thrive.

The Lubin School of Business, ranked among the top 12 percent of colleges for accounting and finance in New York State, is known for its strong outcomes, especially in accounting. In 2023, 93 percent of bachelor’s graduates and 96 percent of master’s graduates were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in service. Lubin is one of fewer than 2% of business schools worldwide accredited by the AACSB for both business and accounting, setting their accounting programs from the competition.

I’ve loved being part of a university that prioritizes professional development and gives students the tools to succeed.
—Wu

But behind every successful program are the people who make it truly stand out—the professors empowering through expertise, and the students ready to lead.

Charles Tang, chair of the Accounting Department at Pace, is keenly aware of the growing gap between the demand for skilled accountants and the number of students entering the field. “The country needs approximately 125,000 to 140,000 new accountants each year, but colleges can only graduate about half that number,” says Tang. “Students are now realizing that accounting offers a stable career path with broad opportunities, especially as the profession evolves with technology.”

Danielle Wu ’25, former president of Pace’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter and Deloitte Accounting Scholar, knows the profession is evolving and she’s embraced that evolution for herself. “I think the biggest thing with accountants overall is just to be prepared and know what to expect in the future,” she says. “I’ve loved being part of a university that prioritizes professional development and gives students the tools to succeed.”

Image

Adrian Brzozowski ’28, who is earning a combined BBA in Public Accounting and MS in Financial Management and is the recipient of a PCAOB Accounting Scholarship, has found that leadership is just as important as technical skill. “I think anyone can learn technical skills like Excel or accounting,” he says. “But learning how to lead, work in teams, and take initiative—that can only be done by certain people. I certainly wasn’t born that way but being the leader of an organization like this at Pace University molds you into someone who stands out.”

As the incoming president of Beta Alpha Psi and a member of Pace’s Fund Appropriation Committee through the Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Adrian has used his accounting foundation to build financial strategies and evaluate nonprofit impact. This summer, he’s putting those skills into action as an accounting intern with Patomak Global Partners in Washington, DC.

While Pace students like Danielle and Adrian are building momentum toward the CPA path, others are using accounting and business as a springboard for global leadership.

Image

Yawen Chen ‘26 transferred to Pace in 2024 from Shanghai, drawn by the University’s scholarships, central location, and reputation for business education. Now a business management student with a 4.0 GPA, she brings a global mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to everything she does. “Pace has been more than a school to me—it’s been a place of opportunity,” she says. “The professors are kind and helpful, and the environment pushes me to grow not just academically, but personally.”

At Pace, Yawen joined the International Conversation Group to help fellow international students feel more at home, building community while preparing for a future in business that blends financial insight with cross-cultural leadership.

“Accounting offers long-term job security, limitless opportunities, and the chance to have a seat at the table where major business decisions are made,” says Professor Dale Goldstein. He notes that today’s students aren’t just looking for a job—they’re looking for relevance, impact, and mobility. That’s why Lubin’s accounting programs emphasize emerging tools like AI, ESG strategy, and predictive analytics alongside traditional fundamentals.

Goldstein also emphasizes the sheer range of paths a degree in accounting can unlock. From wealth management and investment banking to corporate leadership, cybersecurity, and even federal law enforcement, the opportunities are wide and expanding every day. “A CPA brings fascinating career opportunities,” Tang says. “It’s not just a professional certificate; it’s a government-issued license to practice professional services in accounting.”

Accounting offers long-term job security, limitless opportunities, and the chance to have a seat at the table where major business decisions are made.
—Goldstein

To help students pursue that license, Lubin offers CPA-track support, scholarship guidance, and mentoring, preparing graduates to launch into competitive roles across public and private sectors. “Many graduates use an accounting degree to launch very successful careers in industry, technology, investment banking, wealth management, mergers and acquisitions, federal law enforcement and intelligence,” Goldstein continues. “For those aspiring to a C-level position, many currently in those roles started their careers in accounting or have an accounting or finance background.”

As the accounting profession continues to change, Pace remains steadfast in its purpose—to prepare students not just for the workforce, but for the world. For more than a century, Pace has been where the future of accounting begins. And today, it’s where the next generation of leaders is ready to take it further.