Can I Get a CPA With a Finance Degree?

A finance degree provides a solid foundation for pursuing a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. While a finance background offers valuable business acumen, becoming a CPA requires meeting specific educational, examination, and experience criteria. Additional accounting coursework is often necessary to bridge the gap between a finance curriculum and CPA licensure requirements.

Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure

Becoming a licensed CPA requires completing 150 semester hours of college education, 30 more hours than a standard bachelor’s degree. This “150-hour rule” is a common standard across all U.S. jurisdictions, though specific credit hour requirements vary by state. This education ensures a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and business practices.

These 150 hours comprise a combination of accounting and general business courses. States require between 24 and 36 semester hours in accounting, covering subjects like auditing, taxation, financial accounting, and managerial accounting. An additional 24 to 36 hours in general business courses are also required, including economics, finance, business law, and statistics.

Addressing Educational Deficiencies

For individuals with a finance degree, fulfilling educational gaps is a key step toward CPA eligibility. Post-baccalaureate accounting programs help non-accounting majors acquire the required accounting credits. These programs provide the professional accounting expertise needed to sit for the CPA exam.

Pursuing a Master’s in Accounting (M.Acc.) or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is another pathway to meet the 150-hour rule and satisfy accounting course requirements. These graduate programs provide the additional 30 to 45 credits needed beyond a bachelor’s degree. They offer in-depth study of accounting concepts and can be completed in as little as 12 months.

Alternatively, individuals can take courses at community colleges, universities, or through online platforms to obtain missing credits. This approach allows flexibility in acquiring coursework without committing to a full degree program. Ensure any chosen courses come from an accredited institution and meet the requirements of the state board of accountancy.

The CPA Examination Process

The CPA examination is a multi-part assessment candidates must pass for licensure. The exam consists of three core sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). Candidates must also choose and pass one of three discipline sections: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).

Each section of the exam is four hours long, totaling 16 hours. The exam features multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. Once a candidate passes their first section, a “rolling window” begins, requiring them to pass the remaining sections within a certain timeframe, often 18 to 30 months, to retain credit for passed sections.

Applying for the exam involves submitting an application to a state board of accountancy, which issues a Notice to Schedule (NTS). The NTS allows candidates to schedule their examination appointments. Most states require a minimum score of 75 on each section to pass.

Gaining the Required Professional Experience

After fulfilling educational requirements and passing the CPA examination, candidates must gain relevant professional experience. Most states require between one and two years of work experience, often translating to 2,000 to 4,000 hours. This experience must be supervised by a licensed CPA.

Qualifying experience encompasses various accounting activities, including work in public accounting, private industry, government, or academia. Tasks that qualify involve auditing, financial reporting, tax preparation, management advisory services, and consulting. State boards evaluate the nature of the work and the supervisor’s qualifications to ensure the experience provides practical skills and knowledge.