CPA Exam Cost: What Can You Expect to Spend?

Because each state requires different fees, and some people need to retake or reschedule sections of the exam, you need to consider these variables. All of these possibilities make your bottom line less clear. The AICPA administers the four sections of the CPA exam on a rolling basis throughout the year. You must pass all four parts of the test in an 18-month period. Within those 18 months, there are several windows to retake tests, but you cannot retake a section in the same window.

The price of this service can range from $100 to $400 depending on who the provider is and how they package their offerings. The wrong course could mean the difference between you passing the first time and failing several times. The average CPA makes about $1M more than his or her non-certified counter part over the course of his or her career. Other candidates do get the right course, but the course has an expiration date that runs out. Most companies like Roger and Becker charge about $500 to renew their courses.

Can you be a CPA without a degree?

To give yourself the best chance possible when taking the exam, taking one of the best CPA prep courses might be worth considering. Before scheduling for any section of the CPA exam, your local Jurisdiction/State Board must have approved your eligibility. Once you have been approved for Special Test Accommodations (TA) by your Board and you have received your TA approval notification, you can schedule your appointment. Some accommodations can be self-scheduled but some are not.

However, the credential also transfers to other career paths. These include forensic accounting, auditing, financial planning, and compliance. And then, there’s Wisconsin, which is in a league of its own. The next step is to check the course contents of each of the four sections and decide which one should you attempt first. As mentioned earlier, pick one or two (depending on how much time you have for studies) and submit the application form along with the first-time application directly to the Florida Board of Accountancy. You will receive a jurisdiction ID number should your form gets approved by the board.

How much does it cost to take the CPA Exam?

While these fees vary by state, they may be between $150-$200. It’s important to note that in states with a CPA ethics exam, it is mandatory both for first-time and renewed CPA licenses. The above chart breaks down the average CPA cost for taking the exam, including resources to help you pass the CPA exam, ethics exam and some CPA certification requirements. States maintain different requirements for whether CPA candidates can sit for the CPA exam before completing their degree. For example, Hawaii only requires examinees to be within 120 days of finishing their bachelor’s program, while Arizona requires candidates to complete their degree before applying for the test.

CPE reporting is submitted on an annual basis (no later than 31 December) and serves as signed statements that all CPE requirements have been met. This letter will provide you with further instructions on how to obtain your license, per your law firm bookkeeping Board’s qualifications. All other candidates will receive additional instruction regarding the licensure application process directly from their Board of Accountancy. In Canada, “CPA” is an initialism for Chartered Professional Accountant.

How to become a US CPA: Step-By-Step Registration Process

Depending on their particular role, a CPA may be involved in one or more aspects of the accounting profession. CPAs can specialize in areas like forensic accounting, personal financial planning, and taxation. In addition, CPAs must complete continuing education requirements and uphold a standard of ethics. The CPA designation isn’t required to work in corporate accounting or for private companies. However, public accountants⁠—which are individuals working for a firm, such as Deloitte or Ernst & Young, that provides accounting and tax-related services to businesses—must hold a CPA designation. A certified public accountant (CPA) is a designation provided to licensed accounting professionals.

• In some states, candidates will have to take an ethics exam.
• Given all the quality control reviews already completed, it is highly unlikely that your score will change due to a score review.
• Any individual that fails to renew by August 1 can pay $200, plus processing fees, to renew online from August 2 – September 1.
• All first-time applicants are required to pay both an application fee and an examination fee upon submission of the first-time application.
• When you make the payment of the examination fee detailed in point 3 above, you also need to pay a registration fee.

Some states are significantly higher, up to over $1,000 for all four sections. Because this is an investment, you should feel locked into your exam date. This may incentivize you to stick to your study schedule so that you can pass all four sections without having to retake anything. To acquire certification, CPA candidates need at least a bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of 150 semester hours of college credit. One year of relevant professional experience in academia, government, private industry, or public practice is also a common standard. These professionals must also pass the Uniform CPA Examination.