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CPA Accounting Degrees

A CPA is a certified public accountant. Qualified accountants take the CPA accounting degree exams along with the requirements of the state they are practicing in to obtain their license to work as CPAs. A CPA performs financial management services like tax preparation and tax auditing of individuals, government agencies and businesses or not for profit organizations. They generally offer their services through public accounting firms or their own firms. They may also hold offices like financial analyst or chief financial officer.

  1. CPA Accounting Degree

    • The minimum educational requirement for a person to sit for the CPA (certified public account) examination is a 150-credit-hour college degree program. In the United States, every state has a regulatory committee, called the state board of accountancy, which administers the CPA examination. The committee is also responsible for awarding certified public accountant licenses. The exact regulations may vary depending on the state.

    Passing the CPA Exam

    • The CPA exams are very tough, and only about half of those who appear for these exams pass them. You need a 150-credit degree to appear for the exam; usually that means a 4-year bachelor's degree. The process of becoming a certified CPA requires huge amount of preparation, and the college you choose plays a large role in your ability to pass this national exam.

    Education for CPAs

    • Besides the 150 college credits, there are other qualifications which allow an accountant to appear for the CPA exam. You should obtain your accounting bachelor's degree from a college or university known for its excellent undergraduate program and follow it with either an MBA degree from a prestigious graduate school or a graduate degree in taxation from an exceptional university. You will have an advantage if you've earned AP (advanced placement) credits during high school.

    Choosing the Right College / University

    • Accounting degrees are expensive and should be worth the investment. Look for a college with an acknowledged accounting program so that you may be well prepared for your accounting career. Check to see if the accounting program is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or by the state's accountancy board. Find out about the college's past rates for students passing the CPA exams in recent years. This will be a fair guide to the quality of the accounting program. Also find out the placement rate of the college and research the firms that visit the college for recruitment.

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