However, after you enrol with Zell Education for the US CPA course, we can take care of this entire process and guide you through the states of the US that might be the right fit for you to do US CPA. Becoming a CPA is a valuable career that will grow with time. That salary can quickly improve with larger firms and more time spent in the field. You can click here to view ZipRecruiter’s CPA salary averages by state.

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. Most states/jurisdictions require at least a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to become a CPA. As for experience, most states/jurisdictions require at least two years public accounting experience.

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They may require you to submit documentation such as a signed
statement from a supervisor or licensed CPA that can attest to your work or additional educational or exam records. You may have to complete an in person interview with the board. CPA Licensing fee from $100 — $500, depending on the
state. All CPA candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination to qualify for a CPA certificate and license (i.e., permit to practice) to practice public accounting.

Certified public accountants are subject to a code of ethics. The AICPA requires that all CPA designation holders adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct, which lays law firm bookkeeping out the ethical standards CPAs must adhere to. Additionally, keeping the CPA designation requires completing a specific number of continuing education hours yearly.

CPA Exam Cost & Licensing Fees

They are also involved in tax reporting and filing for both individuals and businesses. A CPA can help people and companies choose the best course of action in terms of minimizing taxes and maximizing profitability. The CPA Exam is a rigorous test and requires a serious commitment. However, like all tests, the amount of time you dedicate to studying for each section of the exam will depend upon your own knowledge, experience and test-taking abilities. Lastly, there’s a fee involved in changing from an active to retired status.

After all, only 44% of college students get their degree in just 4 years. Illinois requires a credentialing evaluation for first-time CPA candidates. In New York, your Notice to Schedule (NTS) expires six months after it’s issued. This means that you should only pay for exams that you will take within six months. There is no ethics exam in the state of New York, so that will not be an additional cost. As in many professions, accounting professionals invest in ongoing licensing fees and continuing education.

History of the CPA Designation

Depending on your state, you may be required to pay a registration fee when you sign-up for each exam section. Gauge how prepared you feel when you’re around a month out from your scheduled exam. If you don’t feel like you will be ready by the time you are supposed to sit for an exam section, rescheduling the CPA Exam may be a money-saving move. As long as you reschedule at least a month in advance, you won’t pay a rescheduling fee, nor will you sit for the exam unprepared and fail.

• Additionally, keeping the CPA designation requires completing a specific number of continuing education hours yearly.
• CPA exam reimbursement dollars available to military members
  Reimbursement dollars are available to veterans for expenses related to preparing and sitting for the CPA exam.
• All first-time applicants are required to pay both an application fee and an examination fee (which is listed below)
  when they submit their application to take the CPA Exam for the first time.
• To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
• The two calendar years are referred to as the «reporting period».
• If your application is approved, you will receive an authorization to test (ATT) notice.

Some states administer state-specific ethics exams and other states require candidates to take the AICPA’s ethics exam. The AICPA’s self-study ethics exam costs anywhere from $129 to $189, depending on the course option you choose. Passing the CPA Exam requires you to invest time, effort, and money. The amount of time and effort you’ll have to put in depends on your educational background and where you are in your career.