We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Certified Public Accountant?

By Jan Hill
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,019
References
Share

An individual who wishes to become a certified public accountant (CPA) must pass the CPA Exam. To be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam, a person typically must meet certain academic requirements according to the testing authority in the geographic area in which they will work. Most certified public accountants have a bachelor's degree in accounting, and some possess a master's degree in business administration.

The CPA Exam is the uniform test used in 55 jurisdictions, each of which has a board of accountancy that administers the CPA exam and awards the credential. These jurisdictions include the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. When an individual passes the CPA exam, he is considered to be a licensed certified public accountant. While the CPA exam is accepted for licensure by all 55 jurisdictions, the educational requirements for eligibility to take the exam vary according to jurisdiction. Many areas may require 150 credit hours of education at an accredited college or university.

To take the CPA Exam, candidates apply to the board of accountancy of the jurisdiction where they want to practice. They commonly must provide certified academic documentation and pay a fee to take the test, and there are usually no additional requirements for international applicants. The board considers whether the applicant wishing to become a certified public accountant has met the requirements of the jurisdiction. If he has, the candidate is invited to schedule an appointment to take the CPA examination. People usually spend a great many hours preparing for the CPA exam, which many consider to be extremely difficult.

The CPA examination consists of four parts, including auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation. The four sections comprise a total of 14 hours of testing, and candidates must pass each section with a minimum score of 70 on a 0-99 scale. They do not have to pass all four sections at the same time and can take parts over again at another sitting, though they typically must pass all four sections within 18 months. Once an individual has passed the exam and become a certified public accountant, he can use the CPA designation. Most jurisdictions require that certified public accountants obtain continuing professional education to keep the credential.

An individual who has passed the exam to become a certified public accountant may provide various professional services for businesses, industries, non-profit organizations, government agencies and education. They commonly perform accounting, auditing, tax preparation, financial planning, consulting, and business valuation services. They also prepare financial reports that business owners and managers use to run their businesses. Although certified public accountants perform some of the same services as their non-licensed counterparts, only certified public accountants are permitted to perform the required audits of all publicly traded U.S. companies.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-certified-public-accountant.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.