Generally, CPAs enjoy considerably more job opportunities than non-CPAs, including careers with government agencies, public corporations and private accounting firms. This abundance of opportunities also improves your opportunities for career advancement compared to accountants without the CPA credential. Naturally, if you legally cannot perform a certain task, like filing reports with the SEC, then you can’t advance to a role that would require you to perform that task. Many candidates earn degrees in business administration or finance, and then take additional hours to comply with the education requirements.
- Employers are in desperate need of the skills and knowledge CMAs possess, yet there is a lack of qualified people to fill these positions.
- Some states would specifically demand a public accounting or auditing experience under a registered CPA.
- Every state has specific requirements and criteria for CPA certification, and understanding these requirements is the first step towards achieving your goal.
- You have seven years after passing the CMA exam to meet this requirement.
After the institutions process these payments, you’ll obtain your license and be able to advance your career as a CPA. Some people take the exam at the end of their college career or after graduating. It is also a good idea to spend a year or so working under a CPA to prepare yourself for the test. This is a four-part assessment that will test your skills as an accountant.
For accountants
Get started on your journey as a tax or bookkeeping specialist today at Intuit Academy. This includes a four-year degree, two years of accounting work under a CPA, and up to 18 months to pass the test if you have to retake it multiple times. Examples of states you could apply to when you don’t plan to work under a CPA include the jurisdictions of Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Virginia. So, as long as you work in a relevant field, you can get a license for one of these states.
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA®) created the CPA exam with input from the state boards of accountancy and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Let us know what type of degree you’re looking into, and we’ll find a list of the best programs to get you there. According to PayScale, financial controllers earned average salaries of $85,740 per year, while CFOs earned $137,290 per year as of October 2021. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Accounting.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable.
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Getting a CPA in each state has different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. These variances can include residency or experience requirements, requirements for semester hours in accounting and more. According to tax form 8959 fill in and calculate online the AICPA, the majority of U.S. jurisdictions offer licensure paths to candidates with two years of relevant professional experience. Most states accept general accounting experience acquired in roles open to all accounting professionals.
Ready to start your journey?
The specific requirements for work experience vary by state, but typically involve a minimum number of years working in a position that requires accounting knowledge and skills. While ambitious accounting grads could become a CPA in less time, it typically takes about seven years or longer to become a CPA. It may involve additional coursework, self-study, or professional development opportunities to bridge any gaps in your educational background.
A step-by-step to becoming a CPA
To practice as a CPA, you must hold a CPA license through your state licensing board. Certification simply means you have passed the CPA exam and qualify for the next steps in the licensing process. Licenses are issued by state accounting boards and require additional actions and professional development hours to maintain.
Should I get a CPA if I don’t want to be an accountant?
Almost all of the state boards want candidates to have 120 credit hours of education, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree before they will let you sit for the CPA Exam. Generally, the state boards want to see very specific accounting courses, such as U.S. Many boards of accountancy even hold out for specific business classes or college-level math, for instance, with their CPA course requirements.
The AAA hosts hundreds of postings for CPA jobs along with openings for accountants. It also lists categorized openings in other specialized areas, such as accounting education. Users can create job alerts and search by sector, qualification level, and salary range. For some accounting professionals, the challenging path is worth the rewards. For others, the necessary effort does not make sense in the context of their overall career goals. The sections below explain licensure, credentialing, and continuing education processes for aspiring CPAs.
