The University of Northern Iowa announced Jan. 5 that it is expanding its Bachelor of Arts in accounting program to include a hybrid delivery option for students in the Des Moines metropolitan area. Students will take online business and elective courses as well as in-person evening classes in accounting at the Des Moines Area Community College Urban Campus in Des Moines. According to a news release, the new option provides an opportunity for place-bound learners who have an associate degree. The Des Moines area has seen a shortage of accounting professionals, the release said, with posted positions for new accounting graduates exceeding the supply by over 6 to 1 in the past year. “While the accounting shortage is real and pervasive across all markets, we’re collectively making tangible progress to remedy the problem,” Greg Engel, vice chair, tax at KPMG LLP, said in a news release. “Hybrid programs for professionals with associates degrees, like what UNI is offering, mark an important step forward by bringing in candidates through less traditional pathways. We need more of this ‘outside the box’ approach to hiring, including an enhanced focus on DEI candidates and those with more of a tech-first lens to accounting.” The hybrid option will be available to students starting in the fall 2023 semester, and applications are now open. Individuals interested in learning more can register now for one of two informational webinars on Jan. 11 or Jan. 25, both at 5:30 p.m. To register for a webinar or apply for the program, visit online.uni.edu/accounting.