FeedsPlymouth man is youngest-ever CPA
Click image to enlarge
Bradley BrennanPlymouth High School graduate Bradley Brennan has already made history.
The 20-year-old graduate of Plymouth High School is believed to be the youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accountant examination in state history.
Brennan is a 2010 graduate of the University of Michigan Dearborn College of Business. He was recently notified that he passed all four sections of the challenging Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination, the first time he took them.
While the state and national boards of accountancy cannot verify Brennan’s claim because records are not kept regarding age and test accomplishment, his achievement may have knocked billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad from the title.
Broad has long contended he was the youngest person to become a CPA in Michigan and his foundation verified that he was 20 years and 11 months old when he passed the test in 1954. Brennan was 20 years and 7 months old when he took the test this spring.
“I am humbled to possibly be the youngest CPA in the state’s history and am very proud to be a UM-Dearborn grad,” said Brennan. “I have the utmost respect for Mr. Broad and I am looking forward one day meeting him in person. I am also excited about a great future and career ahead with Ernst & Young.”
The CPA exam consists of four separate tests: auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, regulation and business environment and concept. In 2009, just more than 8 percent of first time test candidates passed all four sections on the first try, according to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
“We are very proud of Brad’s accomplishments and honored to have him as one of our young alumni,” said Kim Schatzel, the dean of the college of business at UM Dearborn. “His record setting achievement speaks volumes about the quality of the students, faculty and degree programs here. There is no doubt that with his skills and determination, Brad’s business future is very bright.”
Brennen holds a double major in financial accounting and finance. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 2007 and now resides in Dearborn.
