It's because the older generation of accountants screwed over the younger generation to build a moat around their own pay. Becoming a CPA used to require only

It's because the older generation of accountants screwed over the younger generation to build a moat around their own pay. Becoming a CPA used to require only a bachelors degree in many states, now you need a master's degree. As a result, becoming a CPA requires an additional year of education, more debt, and more opportunity cost for no reason other than protecting the wages of older people.