Once you’ve passed them and met the work experience requirement, you’re eligible to apply for a CPA license with your state board of accountancy. Earning the CPA credential is a big time commitment, and the exam process is difficult. Still, those with a CPA earn 25% more, on average, than non-CPA accountants. Also, accountants with a CPA certification tend to advance to positions of more responsibility within one to two years and often are promoted to senior-level jobs within a few years after that. If you are interested in starting or running a business, the MBA is a comprehensive degree that may be better for you. If you are a “numbers person” or interested only in the accounting profession, the CPA may be better for you.

• Becker’s CPA students maintained their subscriptions at a rate of 97.1% in 2022.
• Many CPAs also pursue a specialization, which may require additional training and credentials.
• Students pursuing a financial accounting concentration should seek student membership opportunities.
• The field may prove complex for others, but students who find the subject particularly difficult or challenging can turn to a variety of resources for help.
• However, it’s important to consider where each one can apply in terms of industry and job function.

A CPA license affirms that you have gained the knowledge and mastered the skills needed to succeed as a CPA. The formal CPA credential differentiates you from other accountants, assuring employers, clients and other stakeholders that you have met rigorous professional standards and requirements to become a CPA. These criteria include meeting specific educational requirements and passing a rigorous, four-part examination.

How to Become a CPA

Obtaining the certified public accountant (CPA) designation requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting. Individuals are also required to complete 150 hours of education and have no fewer than two years of public accounting experience. To receive the CPA designation, a candidate also must pass the Uniform CPA Exam.

• However, some states may require additional accounting coursework to qualify for the CPA exam.
• Some of the common accounting job titles include accountant, auditor, bookkeeper, and accounts payable clerk.
• To receive the CPA designation, a candidate also must pass the Uniform CPA Exam.
• It will be another excellent credential to have on your resume alongside your CPA.

As every business requires an accountant’s services, opportunities can vary via in-house or through a firm. Many financial accountants either have or are in pursuit of a master’s degree in accounting and additional certification such as the CMA, CPA, or CFA designation. You can begin building your accounting career by exploring some of the accounting jobs listed above. The educational and experience requirements for CPA licensure typically take at least 5-6 years to complete. Candidates from non-accounting backgrounds and those who earn their degrees on part-time schedules face longer timelines. CPA candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and additional educational qualifications.

Is a CPA better than an MBA?

Changes in technology have also created complex business laws that require a deep level of understanding from CPAs. Each industry has its own unique issues with technology, and CPAs need to understand exactly what needs to be done in order to stay within tax compliance in the age of technology. The main requirement to be a CPA is to have at least 150 hours of full-time or part-time college credit. Coursework for CPA degree programs includes material like management accounting, non-profit accounting, bookkeeping, business administration, cost accounting, and more. A good accounting program that meets CPA requirements should also offer specializations like forensic accounting. CPA candidates looking for licensure should prepare for the uniform CPA examination.

Managerial Accounting

There can be some confusion between different financial professionals and their designations. Accountants and analysts are both important members of the financial sector, but sometimes, the distinctions between the functions performed by the two are subtle. According to PayScale, financial controllers earned average salaries of $85,740 per year, while CFOs earned $137,290 per year as of October 2021.

Industry leader

Additional certifications such as the CMA, CPA, or CFA are helpful in gaining employment and advancement. The minimum requirement to become a financial accountant is a bachelor’s in accounting or a related field. For those who have great communication skills, attention to detail, and an analytical mindset, this may be a long and fulfilling career. turbotax online Depending on where you are applying, education and experience requirements may fluctuate. If you’re searching for the CPA exams pass rate, try not to stress too much after taking your test. If you’re concerned that you may fall on the fail side of the pass rate for the CPA exam, you may want to think about scheduling your next exam.

Exam Structure and Sections

It also lists categorized openings in other specialized areas, such as accounting education. 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. Accounting internships undertaken in school do not normally qualify toward experience-based CPA requirements. However, these opportunities still offer considerable professional development and networking opportunities.

What credentials do you need along the CPA career path?

If you hold a degree in finance and are considering the next steps in your career or educational journey, then accounting might be the perfect fit. Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution is the first step to becoming a CPA, and many CPAs start with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Earning an accounting degree can help prepare you for the CPA exam, but majoring in accounting or a related discipline is not necessarily required. Other majors outside of accounting may lend a strong skill set to the field of accounting, for instance, English majors may benefit from strong writing and comprehension skills.