| A CPA license is granted to anyone who passes | | | | Accountancy. |
| the Uniform CPA exam that is monitored and | | | | The CPA exam that you will have to take in |
| managed by the American Institute of Certified | | | | order to get your licensure is a 2-day, four part |
| Public Accountants, or AICPA. They also meet the | | | | exam that is prepared by the AICPA, and most |
| state requirements for licensure in their state, | | | | states will allow you to pass the exam parts |
| making them eligible to get a CPA license in the | | | | separately, rather than failing you entirely if you |
| first place. CPAs are the only ones who are able | | | | don’t get them all right at once. However, |
| to work in the public accounting sector and | | | | once the exam is completed and you have your |
| provide their services and opinions on public funds | | | | CPA license, that doesn’t mean that you are |
| and financial statements, and many states refuse | | | | done. You need to be capable of handling a lot of |
| to let anyone call themselves a ‘public | | | | responsibilities and details within the job. There are |
| accountant’ unless a CPA license is held. What | | | | new restrictions that keep CPAs from advising |
| does it take to get a CPA license, though? Here | | | | one business on multiple issues, but that |
| are some things to keep in mind. | | | | doesn’t mean that you won’t have |
| First, a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a | | | | multiple clients with a variety of needs. |
| similar field will be needed to get into accounting in | | | | CPA license requirements vary from one state to |
| the first place. Generally, a four year degree is | | | | the next, but most follow the federal standard |
| what people expect to see when they hire CPAs, | | | | for suggested education and training. You have to |
| so make sure that you take care of this. The | | | | be able to analyze things well and interpret data |
| degree generally will cover 24 hours of auditing or | | | | and information with ease. Math, obviously, is a |
| accounting, but not every state has the same | | | | critical skill for a CPA, as is statistical analysis and |
| requirements for CPAs. If you want to practice | | | | interpretation. As long as you take the time to |
| independently as an auditor, tax consultant, or | | | | learn about what your options are for becoming a |
| investment professional, there are two things that | | | | CPA, you should have no trouble getting the |
| you will need: certification from the AICPA, and a | | | | education that you need or making the most of |
| CPA license from your State Board of | | | | your career options every single time. |