Lakeland University Blog

20th anniversary of Lakeland's CPA & CMA Pathway

20th anniversary of Lakeland's CPA & CMA Pathway

Blog

20th anniversary of Lakeland's CPA & CMA Pathway

Lakeland’s accounting program is known for its outstanding graduates, and this year LU is celebrating the 20th anniversary of an innovation that helped make the Lakeland experience unique for students.

In 2002, then-Lakeland accounting professor Rick Gaumer created the Certified Public Accountant/Certified Management Accountant pathway that remains a competitive advantage for Lakeland accounting students.

Lakeland’s CPA prep course features three unique, online MBA courses totaling nine credits which students can apply toward Lakeland’s MBA with a concentration in accounting. Lakeland’s CPA prep course credits can also be applied toward the 150-credit requirement to sit for the CPA exam.

The core of these online courses is the internationally recognized Becker CPA review program. Becker's CPA Exam Review helps prepare students for the most current CPA exam, and a specially designed pre-assessment provides a recommended learning path focusing on key areas where students need the most help. Progress tests along the way also track development and provide feedback to build knowledge and instill confidence.

Lakeland’s three courses are taught by highly qualified lead instructors and topic experts with extensive subject knowledge and notable online teaching experience.

The online format is available when students need it, providing the flexibility that’s become another Lakeland hallmark.

"Lakeland's CPA and CMA prep courses prepare candidates extremely well for these exams,” says Brett Killion, associate professor of accounting. “I recently received an email from a Lakeland graduate who passed all four parts of the CPA on the first try. I asked him 'What was your secret?' His response: 'I completed the Lakeland CPA review course which helped me stay on a disciplined study schedule.'”

Lakeland’s accounting program is a regular on Accounting.com’s best program lists:

  • #5 on Accounting.com's most affordable online bachelor's in accounting programs.
  • #7 on the list of the nation's 25 best online bachelor's degree-earning programs.