Certified Public Accountant: What the CPA Credential Means

According to EMSI, the median advertised salary for CPAs is $90,000 across all accounting functions. Median salaries for CPAs are highly influenced by years of experience in the industry. Salaries may also be impacted by the specialization a public accountant chooses. She also extended her role to management accounting and financial accounting and obtained her US CPA license. Public accountants often work in teams, so it’s hard to work in the field if you can’t get along with your co-workers or clients. Additionally, if you create a small network of peers, you’ll have someone to rely on when you have questions or need help with a project.

Is CPA a certificate, degree, or license?

What’s more, the outcome often depends on your unique educational background and situation. But in many cases, it is easier and more efficient to do your own research and decide accordingly. Some jurisdictions will allow part-time work experience to count toward the CPA license. For instance, Colorado requires 1,800 hours of work experience that can be obtained over 3 years. For example, let’s assume you originally registered for New Hampshire because it requires the fewest accounting credit hours.

Required Education for a CPA

The rise of cryptocurrencies introduces additional considerations in financial reporting, including the valuation and classification of digital assets on balance sheets. The first year in public accounting will be over before you know it, and I know transitioning from college to a full-time job is not the easiest task. However, after a few months, you will really get the hang of the hours, the work and the team structure.

CPA Career Paths

You can be an accountant without being a certified public accountant, but earning a CPA license adds a valuable credential to your resume. It means you’ve passed a nationally recognized test that has been modified to reflect your state’s regulations. It opens the way to jobs that other accountants can’t take on, such as performing audits of public companies.

A bachelor’s in public accounting usually involves similar courses as a general accounting degree. However, a public accounting curriculum delves into the theory and practice of the subfield to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its real-world applications. Typically, an accountant what is public accounting is a person who has a degree in accounting from a higher education institution. However, this is not an official requirement because the general term “accountant” is largely unregulated in the U.S. Each state sets its specific requirements for your eligibility to take the Uniform CPA Exam.

Other examples of goals include managing an accounting team, working for a large accounting firm, or starting your own business as a CPA. In addition to performing audits and other assurance services, the Big 4 provide tax advising and various management services. Stephanie Ng is the Executive Committee member responsible for Finance at New Sight Eye Care, a charity registered in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

• Each state sets its specific requirements for your eligibility to take the Uniform CPA Exam.
• For many years, I worked in public accounting as an auditor and consultant.
• Local CPA organizations sometimes hold events for current and future CPAs.
• Additionally, she publishes Big4Bound.com, a site dedicated to helping accountants land competitive jobs within the Big 4 accounting firms.
• Think of each day as an opportunity to learn something new and build your skillset, and don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions.

Questions About the CPA Career Path

Job Titles Used in Public Accounting