Follow
If you are pursuing an accounting degree because you plan to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), it’s important to know the CPA timeline for actually entering the field. The CPA designation is well-recognized in the industry as it indicates that you have not only pursued higher education but have also taken the extra step to become certified in accounting. If you would like to offer tax, financial planning, international accounting, business management consulting, or assurance services, becoming a CPA can help you advance your career.
Before you are able to take the CPA exam, you must first have a specific level of professional accounting and educational experience. These requirements are the same regardless of the state in which you plan to work. Read on to learn more about how long it takes to become a CPA.
What Degree is Needed?
CPAs are distinguished professionals in the field of accounting who have mastered the principles and concepts of accounting and who are able to apply them in a professional setting. Students who wish to pursue a career as a CPA must first complete accounting and business courses in order to graduate from an accredited accounting degree program. Although there are no specific CPA-based degrees, any accounting program is acceptable as long as you take the required number of courses that cover accounting-related topics.
What Are the Requirements?
In order to be eligible to take the Uniform CPA Examination, you will need to complete at least 150 college credit hours — 25 of which must be in business and 30 of which must be in accounting. Since the average bachelor’s degree program consists of 120 credit hours, you may need to take additional coursework or pursue a master’s degree in accounting or business with an accounting concentration before you are eligible to take the exam.
How Long Will it Take?
If you take full-time college courses, you will earn your bachelor’s degree in four years. Once this is under your belt, you can expect to spend at least one more year completing the credit requirements in a master’s degree in accounting or a master’s degree in business administration. These programs range from one to two years in length, depending on the coursework and degree requirements of each specific university or college.
In addition, you will be required to complete a certain number of hours of work experience prior to taking the exam. The professional requirements vary depending on the state in which you plan to work, but most require that aspiring CPAs show evidence of hands-on, in-the-field training in accounting for at least two years. Although some states may require you to work specifically in public accounting, some also consider experience in the field of corporate accounting as acceptable training prior to taking the CPA exam.
Considering the time spent earning your degree as well as the hours you invest while working in the field, it may take approximately eight years to become a CPA. If you would like to pursue an accounting degree in order to become certified as a public accountant and therefore command a higher salary and better job possibilities, it is better to start sooner rather than later. Find an accredited degree program and ensure that you are taking appropriate accounting and/or business courses in order to stay on track with the average CPA timeline.
Read more: 5 Tips For Surviving CPA Exam Prep