Accounting Is STEM Bill Passes Assembly
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September 24, 2026
On Sept. 24, 2026, the New Jersey Assembly passed A4236, popularly known as the Accounting is STEM bill. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, would recognize the new reality that accounting is heavily involved in technology and designate it as a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subject for purposes of state aid.
In addition to the New Jersey Society of CPAs, the bill is supported by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, National Association of Black Accountants and New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association.
For at least two decades, the accounting field has been a STEM profession, though not often recognized by the public as such. Although there is some recognition that accounting involves math, what is almost always overlooked is the field’s heavy reliance on technology and its proper designation as part of the technology leg of STEM.
The common perception that accounting is a numerical-based profession of financial recording and analysis is woefully outdated. Not only are CPAs utilizing some of the most sophisticated technologies, but they are also creating them as well.
CPAs are now routinely:
- Creating and implementing information technology systems
- Setting up cybersecurity systems
- Integrating AI for their clients and their own firms
- Utilizing big data for data analytics
Other important indicators of its rightful place as a STEM field are:
- The CPA Exam includes an Information Systems and Controls section.
- An increasing number of universities are designating their accounting programs as STEM.
- In Congress, there is bipartisan legislation that would recognize accounting as STEM for purposes of K-12 STEM funding.
New Jersey has many programs that recognize the importance of STEM by providing increased financial funding and assistance. For example, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority’s (HESAA) STEM loan redemption program and workforce development programs that provide STEM grants for employers. However, accounting does not appear as a qualifying STEM subject. This bill would correct that and help to attract more students to the profession and make it clear that accounting is on the cutting edge of technology.
The bill must now be passed by the Senate and then would go to the Governor for her signature.