Kick-start your
dream job.
CPAs have strong accounting, financial, tax and technical knowledge, and these skill sets are easily transferable to many different industries. There are so many career options within public accounting and business; you can find jobs aligned with your interests and strengths.
TOP 5
reasons to become a CPA
3
JOB SATISFACTION
Accounting is much more than you think.
Data analytics
POLL
Which career benefits most appeals to you?
Take a
2
JOB SECURITY
1
PAY AND BENEFITS
4
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
5
PRESTIGE AND RESPECT
Gain professional recognition by demonstrating key skill sets.
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CPA
Today’s CPAs need a wide breadth of knowledge and skills, so you’ll be required to complete 150 semester hours of education.
Why 150? Tax law and accounting and auditing regulation expansions, tech developments, complex business models and rapidly changing staffing needs have raised the demands on today’s accountants. A four-year degree can count toward your 150 hours, and additional courses will give you the necessary competencies to excel in this profession.
Maximize
your education.
The 4 E’s to CPA licensure
To earn your license, don’t forget the four Es: education, experience, ethics and the CPA Exam.
Experience
Education
Ethics
Exam
Personal Financial Planning
Tax
Technology & Cybersecurity
Personal Financial Planning
Tax
Technology & Cybersecurity
CPAs are Leaders
CPAs are trusted personal advisors. Navigating personal finance decisions is more complex than ever. Your position as a trusted adviser in tax, retirement, estate, risk management, and investment planning is critical to helping clients prepare for the future.
CPAs bring an unmatched level of knowledge, experience and education to the tax planning and preparation process. CPAs regularly prepare basic income tax returns for individuals as well as more complex income and other tax returns for families, not-for-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes. Additionally, CPAs consider clients’ personal and business circumstances to identify tax planning and savings opportunities.
CPAs are on the front lines dealing with Cybersecurity attacks. CPAs can assist in the design of risk management programs to prevent cybersecurity attacks and provide needed security over a company’s information systems including its employees’ and customers’ data. Additionally, CPAs can provide assurance services on the security, availability, processing integrity,
confidentiality or privacy
of information and
systems.
CPAs regularly become valued leaders in civic and not-for-profit organizations given their professional and personal ethics, business experience, critical thinking, objectivity, and judgment.
Audit & Assurance
Audit & Assurance
Certified Public Accountants serve as capital market gatekeepers. Their skepticism, judgment, expertise and commitment to the public interest inform their work to audit, assure and report on the financial and non-financial information of private and public companies, non-profits and governments.
Watch a video!
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
60%
20%
55%
25%
15%
An overview of the path to licensure and resources to help you prepare
The Aspiring CPA’s Guide
to CPA Licensure
Section 1
Section 2
Proceed to the next section
Take an in-depth look at entering a respected profession that offers dynamic career possibilities and pathways to entrepreneurship opportunities.
Forensic accounting
Environmental, social and governance reporting
Cybersecurity
Earn global, professional recognition with “CPA” after your last name.
Display exceptional judgment and instill trust with clients, organizations and the public.
Be nominated for in-demand volunteer roles with not-for-profit organizations.
Have higher salary potential.
Enjoy continued employment growth.
Create opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Enter an in-demand profession.
Fill workforce gaps retiring CPAs create.
Speak the language of business.
Collaborate with talented professionals across disciplines and time zones.
Undertake jobs in different organizations, from small businesses to international companies.
Act as a trusted adviser to businesses and organizations.
Adhere to a strict code of ethics that demonstrates integrity.
Learn from client experiences and experts, and network globally.
Grow personally and professionally through diverse experiences.
Demonstrate professional commitment with the CPA license and appeal to more employers.
Expand your professional knowledge and pursue additional certifications.
Cool-sounding fields, right? We think so, too. These are just some of the career options and areas of professional expertise available to accountants. Yup, you read that right.
It’s time to discover what today’s accounting profession is really about.
CPAs are critical business pros.
CPAs are in high demand by the companies and organizations in your hometown, across the country and at CPA firms and companies of all sizes.
What jobs can you pursue as a CPA? A lot!
Job titles and roles include a variety of specializations:
ESG Services
ESG Services
CPAs provide advisory and assurance services to companies focused on ESG, a hot topic with significant implications for the present and future. Whether it be considering sustainability and ESG risks in relation to a company’s strategy and operations, designing systems to
capture relevant ESG data, or
providing assurance on reported
ESG information to enhance stakeholders’ confidence,
CPAs bring their professional independent expertise with the
focus on the public interest.
Forensic Accounting
Forensic Accounting
Forensic accountants apply the specialized knowledge and investigative skills possessed by CPAs to collect, analyze, and evaluate evidential matter and to interpret and communicate findings in the courtroom, boardroom, or other legal or administrative venue.
Client Advisory Services
Client Advisory Services
CPAs are trusted business advisors. Working with businesses of all types and sizes on projects ranging from basic outsourced accounting services to evaluation of business acquisitions. Client advisory services can help businesses solve a variety of challenges including technology implementation, data security, strategy and governance and business development
Earn additional credit hours while pursuing your bachelor’s degree. These courses can also be taken after achieving your bachelor’s degree but not necessarily in pursuit of a master’s degree. Previously completed college courses taken in high school could also count toward the 150 hours.
To get that golden number of 150, you can:
Follow your undergraduate accounting degree with a master’s degree at the same or a different school.
Combine a bachelor’s degree in another major with a master’s in accounting or an MBA with a concentration in accounting.
Enroll in a five-year professional accounting program that leads to a master’s degree.
Unlock a dynamic career: CPA Exam explained
Unlock a dynamic career: CPA Exam explained
Build your
professional experience.
Transition into the 2024 Exam.
Forensic accounting
Cybersecurity
Environmental, social and governance reporting
Data analytics
Data analytics
Environmental, social and governance reporting
Cybersecurity
Forensic accounting
Accounting professionals including CPAs make an impact in the C-suite utilizing a wide range of knowledge and skills including information systems and internal controls, financial reporting, corporate finance strategy, governance and risk management, Reliable, high-quality financial reporting
benefits companies, their lenders
and investors, and the public.
Management Accounting & Finance
Management Accounting & Finance
CPAs are Leaders
Build your professional experience.
It’s time to put your education to work. Licensure candidates need about 2,000 working hours verified by a licensed CPA, but check with your jurisdiction as requirements vary. Previously completed internships may count toward your 2,000-hour goal.
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
60%
20%
55%
25%
15%
An overview of the path to licensure and resources to help you prepare
The Aspiring CPA’s Guide
to CPA Licensure
Section 1
Section 2
Proceed to the next section
APPLYING
for the Exam
Ethical behavior is nonnegotiable, and honesty, objectivity and professional conduct are the foundation of the profession.
CPAs follow rules of professional conduct, standards and regulatory requirements, and the license adds to the trust and respect people have for them.
To become a CPA, you must pass the Uniform CPA Examination® — the only licensing qualification for accounting and audit professionals in the United States. You can become licensed in any of the 55 jurisdictions — not just your home state or territory.
This is just a snapshot of the process. For a more in-depth look, be sure to review in-depth documentation from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Understand the ethics.
Growth and progress call for new licensure model.
Emerging technologies and regulatory updates present new opportunities for CPAs. We’re excited about what the future holds. The American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA®) collaborated with NASBA to produce a licensure model that meets the new demands.
Together, we created the CPA Evolution initiative.
CPA Evolution is transforming the CPA licensure model to ensure it reflects the accounting profession of today and the future. The Evolution-aligned Uniform CPA Exam will launch in 2024.
The CPA Exam changes benefit you.
The coolest change in the exam is the introduction of Disciplines — you can test on a selected Discipline that aligns with your interests and strengths. New content has also been added throughout the exam to test on relevant topics of emerging technology and financial planning.
Previous iterations of the CPA Exam tested all candidates on the same four sections: auditing and attestation (AUD); financial accounting and reporting (FAR); taxation and regulation (REG); and business environment and concepts (BEC).
With the changes, you’ll still be tested on four sections, but introducing a Discipline creates flexibility, allowing you to highlight your strengths and interests. Selecting a Discipline subject will not restrict your career prospects. In fact, it’s likely to expand your awareness of what you’d like to do post-graduation.
There are three Core sections, which all candidates must test on:
• Auditing and attestation
• Financial accounting and reporting
• Taxation and regulation
Candidates select one Discipline:
• Business analysis and reporting
• Information systems and controls
• Tax compliance and planning
Testing under this updated licensure model will begin in 2024. You have four hours to complete each section and not all sections need to be taken on the same day — you can schedule as you’re ready.
Proceed to the next section
The breakdown:
Check exam requirements pertaining to citizenship, residency and eligibility for international students for your desired jurisdiction, as they vary.
Ensure you know the eligibility requirements within your selected jurisdiction.
Once you complete the application, you’ll upload required documentation (for example, college transcripts), pay any fees and hit “Submit.”
Your application will be reviewed.
After the review, you’ll receive a notice to schedule, or NTS, which indicates you can schedule your exam. Quick tip: Pay attention to the expiration date on the NTS — most are valid for only six months.
Received your NTS? Time to schedule your exam!
You can go to any test center globally — even if it’s not the jurisdiction in which you want your license.
Determine your eligibility.
Submit your testing application.
Schedule your exam.
1
2
3
Here’s what you need to do:
Unlock a dynamic career: CPA Exam explained
Build your
professional experience.
Transition into the 2024 Exam.
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
Of the many benefits that come with being a licensed CPA, which most appeals to you?
Earning potential
Career opportunities
Stability
Flexibility
Prestige and Respect
60%
20%
55%
25%
15%
An overview of the path to licensure and resources to help you prepare
The Aspiring CPA’s Guide
to CPA Licensure
Section 1
Section 2
Proceed to the next section
Transition into the 2024 Exam.
Go to the home page
Watch a video!
As the Evolution-aligned CPA Exam kicks off in January 2024, it’s very important to understand NASBA’s transition policy — some students may have started the Exam process in 2023. Don’t be discouraged!
Now is a very exciting time to attain your CPA Exam licensure, and we will help you every step of the way.
Watch this NASBA webcast to get a fuller picture of the transition. You can seek answers via the
CPA Exam Transition FAQs.
Previously passed Exam sections can count toward the 2024 Exam — and any earned Uniform CPA Examination credits are extended until June 30, 2025. Candidates who completed AUD, FAR or REG before January 2024 will not need to take the corresponding Core section. And if you passed BEC, you would not need to take any of the three Discipline sections.
If you’ll be ready to take the CPA Exam in 2024, mark your calendar with these test administration dates and start planning now.
Timeframe
Ease pre-exam jitters and take one extra step of preparation by completing our sample test. You can familiarize yourself with the format and functionality of the CPA Exam through this abbreviated test.
Practice makes perfect with the
CPA Exam sample test.
Who’s who in the CPA Exam process
The AICPA is responsible for developing and scoring the CPA Exam. We have extensive resources, including ThisWaytoCPA.com. We’ve got your back now and throughout your career.
Ongoing support is available to you.
Start your involvement today and join with the free AICPA Student Affiliate membership. In addition to resources and tools to use throughout your college career, you’ll have access to mentorships, insurance and retirement options, scholarships, business discounts, networking opportunities and much more.
Be part of something great.
CPAs are versatile and valued experts. Earning your CPA license unlocks a dynamic, fun, challenging and rewarding career. Welcome to your professional home.
The blueprint explains the exam content so you can confidently go into the exam. The 2024 CPA Exam Blueprints will be your go-to guide as you prepare for the CPA Exam.
CPA Exam Blueprints
NASBA is your go-to resource for specific requirements in the 55 U.S. accounting jurisdictions.
Many states direct students to apply to take the CPA Exam via NASBA’s CPA Examination Services. (That’s also where you’ll find your score report after the exam.)
Prometric administers the CPA Exam at test centers across the globe.
The AICPA, NASBA and Prometric are partners in delivering the CPA Exam.
The AICPA Board of Examiners oversees the exam and sets development and scoring policies that follow the legal and assessment standards of the licensure exam. They also ensure that the exam reflects the knowledge and skills newly licensed CPAs need.
Your State Board of accountancy will outline requirements related to that jurisdiction, and they will issue your CPA license. State societies are independent, professional organizations for CPAs and can be found in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
Your membership with us grows as you grow.
As you prepare for the Uniform CPA Exam, you could move into candidate membership to gain access to additional professional support, career development resources, networking opportunities and more.
After licensure, you can move into regular membership, which is available in a tiered structure, allowing customizations, so you’ll receive relevant benefits and resources, including expert-led webcasts and events, regulatory updates in the Town Hall series, advocacy with Congress for the profession, networking opportunities at annual conferences and so much more.
Unlock a dynamic career: CPA Exam explained
Build your
professional experience.
Transition into the 2024 Exam.
