How to become a CPA
/What is a CPA?
A certified public accountant is an accountant who has passed all parts of the CPA examination, as administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and who has completed all additional work and educational requirements of their local state accounting regulatory agency. A CPA is authorized to render an opinion on the fairness of a client's financial statements. The CPA designation implies a certain minimum level of competency, and so is highly prized among accountants.
In order to become a CPA, you must complete training, experience, and testing requirements. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is considered a major step forward within the accounting field, since it is listed as a job requirement for many positions, even those that do not involve auditing.
Initial CPA Certification Requirements
The three key requirements for becoming a CPA are to obtain sufficient training and experience, and take a test. These requirements are noted below:
CPA training requirement. Complete an accounting-related course of studies that fulfills the training requirements of the applicable state board of accountancy. This usually involves the completion of a bachelor's degree in accounting, though it is also possible to fulfill the requirement with a master's degree in accounting or in some other business discipline, as long as a sufficient number of accounting classes are taken. A major consideration is that many state boards of accountancy require that a CPA candidate have completed 150 semester hours of course work, which is more than the number typically required to obtain a bachelor's degree. Consequently, many CPA candidates must first complete five years of college before completing this requirement.
CPA experience requirement. Complete the designated number of years as an auditor, as required by the state board of accountancy. This is usually two years, during which the individual is under the supervision of a practicing CPA. The nature of the tasks in which a candidate can be engaged during this period vary by state.
CPA test requirement. Achieve a passing score on all parts of the CPA examination. If a passing score is obtained on fewer than all of the course sections, a test taker does not have to take these sections again, subject to certain time restrictions. If a time restriction is exceeded, one must pass the exams for these sections a second time.
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CPA Exam Review Sessions
Attending CPA review sessions is a common and strategic step for individuals preparing to obtain the CPA certification. These sessions are typically offered by professional review services and are designed to reinforce key accounting, auditing, taxation, and business concepts that are most likely to appear on the CPA examination. The sessions often include targeted lectures, practice questions, test-taking strategies, and real-world examples to help candidates grasp complex topics more effectively. By focusing on high-priority areas and providing structured study schedules, review sessions help candidates optimize their preparation time and increase their chances of passing the exam. Many candidates find these sessions valuable for building confidence, staying motivated, and clarifying difficult subject matter.
Continuing Professional Education Requirements
Once all of these requirements have been met, an individual can become a CPA. However, there are additional requirements for maintaining the certification. The CPA must complete an average of 40 hours per year of continuing professional education, as well as pay an annual fee to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is expensive. If these additional steps are not taken, then the CPA certification will lapse. If a person wants to be reinstated as a CPA, this requires taking a remedial amount of continuing professional education, and being reinstated with the AICPA.
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