Determining which path to take during your senior years is largely affected by your goals and dreams for the future. Of course, most of us want to take up a course in college that promises job security, huge salary, and career advancement. This is the reason many are led to IT or accountancy courses, among others.
Specifically, the Certified Public Accountants’ role in the society have evolved from being in the rank-and-file to higher positions in the corporate arena. Some CPAs have developed more than just accounting skills out of exposure to business and the ins-and outs of the trade so they venture deeply and pursue a private firm that specialize in public accounting. You can imagine how these people managed to become six-figure income earners and we can owe this to the license for which they toiled.
Certified Public Accountant courses are honestly difficult. Most of the time, it is not enough that you are good with numbers although this is indeed a vital fragment of the whole thing. Keep in mind that in order for you to succeed in this field, you must also have an analytical mind and great problem solving skills. Those who have successfully earned their CPA licenses can swear by it.
On the other hand, completing your CPA course is one thing and passing the CPA exam is another. It means that your hard work does not end with taking off your graduation gown. After years of studies, the next thing you need to pay attention to is how to pass the exam and earn your license. This can be a harrowing experience. Take one step at a time. A great part of the preparation is to know what to expect.
CPA License Requirements In Brief
There are several requirements that a CPA graduate must fulfill before they can apply for a license. Basically, these depend on your state of residence’s Board of Accountancy. Don’t worry because the set of requirements in each only slightly differ. What you have to focus on are the universal prerequisites. Below are the details.
• A bachelor’s degree is of course a major requirement plus 150 hours in education. Having these two already qualifies you for the CPA exam which have four parts. Note that you can only qualify for the license if you pass. But passing is just a quarter of the package.
• At least 2000 hours of work is also required as part of the license qualification. It is like an on-the-job training in which you have to gain experience under the guidance of a licensed CPA. It means it could take you less than a year. If you are going to complete 8 hours a day of work before the Board of Accountancy grants you your license.
• Another 40 hours worth of CPE or continuing professional education is also required. You can choose to enroll in any campus in your community or in an online university.
Actually, obtaining the license warrants you a reason to celebrate. By then you can construct your future career. It only makes sense that you have to take your course seriously because you can consider taking up the CPA course a preparation for the licensure.