OK, Well, I think I solved my problem. The following code added to the functions file will force the first accordion open.
add_action('acf/input/admin_head', 'my_acf_input_admin_head');
function my_acf_input_admin_head() {
?>
<script type="text/javascript">
jQuery(function(){
jQuery('.acf-accordion').removeClass('-open');
jQuery('.acf-accordion:first-of-type').addClass('-open');
});
</script>
<?php
}