{"id":2910,"date":"2024-10-25T17:23:56","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/?p=2910"},"modified":"2025-08-12T20:22:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T02:22:26","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-cpa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-cpa\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does it Take To Become a CPA?"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re a math whiz who gets excited about Excel spreadsheets, becoming a CPA may be the perfect career path for you.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But how long does it take to become a CPA&#8230; <em>really<\/em>?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long story short? It depends.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roberthalf.com\/us\/en\/insights\/salary-guide\/finance-and-accounting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">six-figure range<\/a> and job satisfaction rates as high as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfo.com\/news\/95-of-accountants-satisfied-with-current-role\/700269\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">95%<\/a>, the journey to an accounting profession is well worth the time investment.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the steps you&#8217;ll take, how long each part generally takes, and what you can expect along the way.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Overall Timeline:<\/strong> It takes an average of 7-8 years to become a CPA, including education, exams, and work experience.<\/li> <li><strong>Educational Requirements<\/strong>: A bachelor\u2019s degree and additional accounting courses totaling 150 credit hours are needed.<\/li> <li><strong>The CPA Exam<\/strong>: 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. <\/li> <li><strong>Work Experience<\/strong>: Typically, you\u2019ll need at least 1-2 years of relevant experience under a licensed CPA.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-becoming-a-certified-public-accountant-a-step-by-step-guide\"><strong>Becoming a Certified Public Accountant: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/strong><\/h2> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-education-requirements\"><strong>1. Education Requirements<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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&#8217;s degree offers (usually 120 credit hours).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Bachelor\u2019s Degree<\/strong>: Typically takes four years to earn, with a focus on accounting and business courses.<\/li> <li><strong>Additional Undergraduate Courses<\/strong>: Since most bachelor\u2019s degrees fall short of the required 150 credit hours, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s program, or a combination of both.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Estimated Time for Education<\/strong>: <strong>5-6 years<\/strong> (4 years for a bachelor&#8217;s + 1-2 years for additional coursework)<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-cpa-exam\"><strong>2. CPA Exam<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve met the education requirements, it\u2019s time to tackle the CPA exam. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aicpa-cima.com\/\">AICPA<\/a>) administers the exam to test your accounting knowledge and career readiness.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Prep and Pass Length:<\/strong> 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\u2019ll need to pass all sections within an 18-month window.<\/li> <li><strong>Review Courses:<\/strong> 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.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Estimated Time for CPA Exam<\/strong>: <strong>12-18 months<\/strong><\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-work-experience\"><strong>3. Work Experience<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/how-to-pass-the-cpa-exam-first-attempt\/\">passing the CPA exam<\/a>, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Relevant Experience<\/strong>: This can include roles in public accounting, preparing financial statements, tax preparation, or auditing. It\u2019s not just about crunching numbers\u2014this work gives you a deeper understanding of professional conduct, tax law, and financial reporting standards.<\/li> <li><strong>Supervising CPA<\/strong>: Your work experience must be signed off by a licensed CPA, ensuring that you\u2019ve gained the necessary skills to practice independently.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019 timelines.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Estimated Time for Work Experience<\/strong>: <strong>1-2 years<\/strong><\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-ethics-exam\"><strong>4. Ethics Exam<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Estimated Time for Ethics Exam<\/strong>: <strong>A few weeks to 1 month<\/strong><\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-cpa-license\"><strong>5. CPA License<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Estimated Time for CPA License Application<\/strong>: <strong>A few weeks to 1 month<\/strong><\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-long-does-the-entire-cpa-process-take\"><strong>How Long Does the Entire CPA Process Take?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On average, becoming a CPA can take about 7-8 years from start to finish:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>4 years for a bachelor&#8217;s degree (often a business administration or accounting degree)<\/li> <li>1-2 years to complete the additional 30 credit hours required for most state boards<\/li> <li>12-30 months to pass the CPA exam<\/li> <li>1-2 years of relevant work experience<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, if you\u2019re 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.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming a CPA is a significant commitment, but it&#8217;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.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re 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&#8217;ll be well on your way to a successful career as a CPA!<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1729749750096\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the CPA exam like?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">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 &amp; Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance &amp; Planning (TCP).<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1729749758496\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do I need a master\u2019s degree to become a CPA?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Not necessarily! While many CPA candidates pursue a master\u2019s 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.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1729749766364\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How long does it take to study for the CPA exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">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.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1729749783802\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What kind of work experience do I need to become a CPA?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You\u2019ll 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.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1729749793107\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What happens if I fail any section of the CPA exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Don\u2019t 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\u2019t mean the end of your CPA journey; it just means you\u2019ll need to refocus and try again.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;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&#8230; really? Long story short? It depends. It&#8217;s important to realize that the road to earning your CPA credential is a marathon, not a [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":2911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,241],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-accounting"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/10\/how-long-does-it-take-become-a-cpa-768x426.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Long Does it Take To Become a CPA?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How long does it take to become a CPA? 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