The best way to prepare for the CPA exam is to start studying early. As with other aspects of CPA exam planning, refer interest expense to NASBA for state-specific information. For additional state-specific information, refer to NASBA’s CPA exam portal.

The credential provides CPAs with a diverse range of career path options as a trusted business advisor in a highly respected and prestigious profession. Accounting professionals who want to obtain the CPA credential might be interested in finding out how long it takes to become a CPA. So, we have provided information about what is required to become a CPA and typical time-frames surrounding those requirements below. A typical 4-year bachelor’s degree only awards you 120 credit hours of education. Therefore, you must acquire additional education to meet the CPA education requirement of 150 credit hours. Some states allow candidates to sit for the CPA exam before they have graduated from college.

Top Accounting Degrees

The AICPA and NASBA mandate that exam candidates submit to a fingerprinting prior to each exam for identification purposes. According to published AICPA and NASBA reports, all fingerprints collected are immediately transmitted over the Internet to ChoicePoint/Reed Elsevier (Identico Systems) for storage. As of 2011, BEC is the only section that contains written communication task simulations. This measures the ability of CPA candidates to be able to write effective and coherent standard business English.

  • The Talent Acquisition team is dedicated to connecting people with exciting career opportunities and partnership within Intuit.
  • The number of CPAs in the US has increased over the last few decades, with 639,628 in 2003 and 646,520 in 2006.
  • Becker wants to make sure that you plot the best course to find success on the big exam day.
  • They compile, analyze and verify financial data to ensure efficiency and compliance with federal and state regulations.
  • However, the process for becoming a CPA is relatively straightforward in most states.

In 2018, 77% of partners in US CPA firms were male and only 23% were female. But based on the number of women entering the field today, it’s likely that this balance will change in the future and more women climb the professional ladder and become partners. And according to NASBA, the US had 654,375 actively licensed CPAs in 2019.

CPA State Boards

Once you successfully pass the exam, it’s time to apply for your CPA license. The application and its processing will incur a few fees, which we’ll get into in the next section. You’ll also pay a renewal fee every two years to keep your license active. 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.

How much does it cost to become a CPA?

In addition to the required college coursework, some states have additional experience requirements that students must fulfill to be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam. Most states require a year of experience working under a licensed CPA before you can be licensed, and other states require more experience. Getting a CPA in each state has different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA.

International Qualification Examination (IQEX)

The IRS Direct File pilot will be rolled out in phases as final testing is completed and is expected to be widely available in mid-March to eligible taxpayers in the participating states. First, note that congratulatory letters normally come from your state board. Second, the timing for letters varies from state to state, and don’t be surprised if you have to wait for several weeks. And finally, remember that although it’s great to have, you don’t need your letter in hand to proceed with becoming a CPA.

If you opt for the online version, you will receive your grade immediately after submission. The paper test is mailed back to the testing center and takes a few weeks for the results to be delivered to you. While you are in college, it is a good idea to start building up your resume as well. In addition to maintaining a high GPA, you might want to join student organizations such as the IMA or an accounting club. This is still the fastest and easiest way to file and receive a refund.

How Much Does a CPA Make in a Year?

The time it takes to pass the CPA exams depends on many factors, like your availability to study and your overall content knowledge. First, I suggest reading How Many Hours Do You Need to Study for the CPA Exam? Then, I recommend choosing the right CPA review course for your learning style, which can reduce your study time. In some jurisdictions, you only need 120 hours of higher education to sit for the CPA Exam. However, almost all jurisdictions require 150 hours for the license, even if candidates passed the CPA Exam with only 120 under their belt.