If you’re a math whiz who gets excited about Excel spreadsheets, becoming a CPA may be the perfect career path for you.
But how long does it take to become a CPA… really?
Long story short? It depends.
It’s important to realize that the road to earning your CPA credential is a marathon, not a sprint. However, with a salary often in the six-figure range and job satisfaction rates as high as 95%, the journey to an accounting profession is well worth the time investment.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps you’ll take, how long each part generally takes, and what you can expect along the way.
Key Takeaways
- Overall Timeline: It takes an average of 7-8 years to become a CPA, including education, exams, and work experience.
- Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree and additional accounting courses totaling 150 credit hours are needed.
- The CPA Exam: Candidates have 18 to 30 months to pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. Some do it as quickly as a year, while others take the entire time frame.
- Work Experience: Typically, you’ll need at least 1-2 years of relevant experience under a licensed CPA.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Education Requirements
Before diving into the world of financial accounting and tax preparation, the first step on your CPA journey is meeting the educational requirements. States require aspiring CPAs to complete 150 credit hours of college education, which is more than a standard bachelor’s degree offers (usually 120 credit hours).
- Bachelor’s Degree: Typically takes four years to earn, with a focus on accounting and business courses.
- Additional Undergraduate Courses: Since most bachelor’s degrees fall short of the required 150 credit hours, you’ll need to take additional courses in areas like business law, tax regulations, and financial planning. This can be achieved by taking a few extra undergraduate classes, enrolling in a master’s program, or a combination of both.
Estimated Time for Education: 5-6 years (4 years for a bachelor’s + 1-2 years for additional coursework)
2. CPA Exam
Once you’ve met the education requirements, it’s time to tackle the CPA exam. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) administers the exam to test your accounting knowledge and career readiness.
- Prep and Pass Length: Most CPA candidates spend 12-18 months preparing for and passing all four sections of the CPA exam. You can take them one at a time, but you’ll need to pass all sections within an 18-month window.
- Review Courses: Many candidates take CPA review courses to help study for the exam. These courses typically last several months and are a great way to test your knowledge before sitting for the exam.
Estimated Time for CPA Exam: 12-18 months
3. Work Experience
In addition to passing the CPA exam, you’ll also need to complete a certain amount of relevant work experience. Most state boards within the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) require at least one to two years of work under the supervision of a licensed CPA.
- Relevant Experience: This can include roles in public accounting, preparing financial statements, tax preparation, or auditing. It’s not just about crunching numbers—this work gives you a deeper understanding of professional conduct, tax law, and financial reporting standards.
- Supervising CPA: Your work experience must be signed off by a licensed CPA, ensuring that you’ve gained the necessary skills to practice independently.
It is important to note that some states have more specific requirements, such as particular tasks or additional training under supervision, which can affect CPA candidates’ timelines.
Estimated Time for Work Experience: 1-2 years
4. Ethics Exam
Some states (not all) also require an ethics exam, such as the AICPA Ethics Exam. This exam ensures that CPAs understand the ethical and professional conduct expected in the accounting profession. The ethics exam is typically shorter and less daunting than the CPA exam. Most people can prepare for and complete it in a few weeks.
Estimated Time for Ethics Exam: A few weeks to 1 month
5. CPA License
After meeting the education requirements, passing the CPA exam, and completing your work experience, you can apply for CPA licensure through your state board. This is the final step to becoming a licensed CPA.
Estimated Time for CPA License Application: A few weeks to 1 month
How Long Does the Entire CPA Process Take?
On average, becoming a CPA can take about 7-8 years from start to finish:
- 4 years for a bachelor’s degree (often a business administration or accounting degree)
- 1-2 years to complete the additional 30 credit hours required for most state boards
- 12-30 months to pass the CPA exam
- 1-2 years of relevant work experience
So, if you’re starting from scratch, you can expect it to take around 7-8 years to become a licensed CPA. However, this can vary depending on your unique circumstances, such as how long it takes you to pass the CPA exam and complete your work experience.
Conclusion
Becoming a CPA is a significant commitment, but it’s also a journey that opens the doors to a satisfying, high-paying career. While the process can take several years, each step brings you closer to a truly fulfilling career you love.
If you’re passionate about math and money, then the path to becoming a CPA is one worth pursuing. Personally, I love being a CPA, and I have never regretted my certification for a second. I know from first-hand experience with hard work, determination, and a lot of study hours, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career as a CPA!
FAQs
The CPA exam now uses a core plus discipline model. Core sections include Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). Exam takers must also choose and pass one discipline section from Business Analysis & Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance & Planning (TCP).
Not necessarily! While many CPA candidates pursue a master’s degree to meet the 150-credit hour requirement, you can also take additional undergraduate accounting coursework to make up the difference. The important thing is to complete the educational requirements set by your state board.
Most people spend about 12-30 months studying for and passing all four sections of the CPA exam. This can vary depending on your study habits, work schedule, and other commitments.
You’ll need at least 1-2 years of relevant experience under a licensed CPA. This can include preparing financial statements, auditing, tax preparation, and other public accounting tasks. The key is that your experience must be supervised by a CPA.
Don’t panic! You can retake any section of the CPA exam, but keep in mind that you must pass all four sections within 18 months to 30 months, depending on your state. Failing a section doesn’t mean the end of your CPA journey; it just means you’ll need to refocus and try again.
