Required licenses for accounting careers

The licenses necessary for accounting careers vary depending on which job specifications you want to enter. Most of the options will be available to you if you become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), though, and there are very specific licenses are required for this career. Of course some people who are not licensed, but have degrees in accounting can become very successful as auditors or accountants in government offices and private companies. But for the sake of this article we will focus on the requirements to become a CPA.



If you want to become a CPA will need to check with government agencies in your State or territorial designation. All States require that accountants have at least a BS 120-credit, but most States have additional educational requirements now. You have to wait to complete a degree program by 150-credit college before sitting for the CPA exam, as this is what most States require. This degree program must also include a number of accounting and business courses depending on the specific requirements of your state.



Once you are qualified for the CPA exam in your state that you will need to start studying diligently if you haven't already. This is a very difficult exam that many people fail, so it's best to take the examination shortly after finishing the college program, while everything is fresh in your mind. There are review courses that can help you.



If you pass the CPA exam you will be automatically granted a CPA license. There are ethics requirements in most States, which will include another exam or a course in ethics that you have to take. Most States have experience requirements as well, but after passing the exams and other requirements should not have a problem finding a job, after which will qualify automatically for the CPA license. Your State Board of accountancy may also require a certain number of hours of training over a period of time to keep your license to continue.

Posted in: Accounting, Careers, Licenses, Online Accounting Courses, Required