A Simple Guide to the CPA Educational Requirements
A Simple Guide to the CPA Educational Requirements Heading link
For many students in accounting, the goal of becoming a CPA is just as important as completing their degree or gaining an excellent internship. But what is a CPA and what are the steps to achieving this goal? A Certified Public Accountant is an accounting professional who has proven his /her knowledge of the accounting profession through education, successful completion of the uniform certified public accountant exam, and experience in the accounting field.
Gaining the education required to qualify for the CPA exam is the first step toward attaining this credential. According to the Illinois Board of Examiners, eligibility to take the uniform CPA exam is determined by educational background. Applicants for the exam must complete 150 semester hours, including a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 30 hours of accounting courses (including specific knowledge areas), and 24 hours of general business courses. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at UIC requires 120 semester hours and contains the necessary accounting and business background, leaving students with 30 semester hours to attain eligibility for the CPA.
There are principally two methods that students choose to achieve these additional 30 hours, either continue taking 30 hours of course work at the undergraduate level, or complete a master’s degree. There are pros and cons to each option, and each student’s individual situation is different, so it is important to discuss your desired career path with your faculty adviser as well as your academic adviser.
In general, a good candidate for the master’s degree would be a student with a minimum of a 3.25 CGPA and at least a 3.0 accounting GPA. Students that meet these qualifications are eligible for the Guaranteed Admission Master of Science in Accounting with the Liautaud Graduate School of Business. Achieving a master’s degree in accounting may help you achieve a higher starting salary and can be an excellent preparation for the uniform CPA exam; however it is more challenging than undergraduate courses.
The second option to reach CPA eligibility is to continue taking undergraduate courses, graduating with 150 hours. The additional 30 hours can be in any subject matter, but focusing on a minor or taking additional accounting courses make you more marketable and deepen your knowledge base in accounting. This option may be best for you if you already have extra courses you have taken from UIC or another institution, or are below the GPA requirement to apply for the master’s program. Remember that the Illinois Board of Examiners is the authority when it comes to verifying your educational background, so be sure to contact them prior to graduation to verify that they will accept the coursework you have completed.
Begin planning early and meet with your advisers to ensure that you are on the right track toward your CPA! For further information about the uniform CPA exam, qualifications, or the Guaranteed Admission program, check out these resources.
http://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/Pages/CPAExam.aspx
http://business.uic.edu/home-uic-business/prospective-students/liautaud-programs/msa