• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Methodology

Master's Programs Guide

Helping you find the best master's programs

By Kacey Reynolds Schedler

Pursuing CPA Licensure After a Master’s of Accounting Degree: Do You Need It?

Image source

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is always, by definition, an Accountant, but is an Accountant always a CPA? Quite simply, no–gaining CPA licensure is an extra step beyond obtaining a Master of Accounting degree (see our list of the best online master of accounting degree programs for some of the schools to check out if you still need to pursue your degree). An Accountant who meets the 150-hour educational requirements and successfully sits for the CPA exam has gone through a uniform credentialing process to become not only the premier standard of accounting, but also the publicly-guaranteed qualified accounting professional. Additionally, there are some job specifics that only CPAs are legally allowed to execute–such as filing  reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and performing audits and attestations. Accountants can do a lot–completing tax returns is probably the most well-known service. A CPA can prepare your tax return as well, but they can also represent you if you are called in for an audit and help you make informed and complex business and tax decisions.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the professional organization in for CPAs in the United States. The organization is responsible for designing and monitoring the results of the Uniform CPA Exam. Accountants must pass the exam to become a CPA, and to maintain the designation must pursue Continuing Professional Education–80 hours worth–every two years. There are also specific state regulations of which CPAs need to be aware. (Many websites offer a breakdown of state requirements as well as guidelines towards getting CPA licensure).

For those who want to know about their return on the investment of pursuing CPA licensure, consider that CPAs make (on average) about 10-15% more than the average accountant salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants who possess an undergraduate degree made on average about $68,000 a year in 2016. With that being the case, that would mean a licensed CPA made, on average, almost $80,000 in 2016.

So the choice is yours if you want to go the extra mile to become a CPA. Being an accountant is a fine professional endeavor, but if you are looking for a little more clout and a larger salary, consider becoming a CPA.

Related Rankings

50 Best Online Masters in Accounting
50 Best Online Masters in Public Administration
50 Best Online Masters in Finance

Primary Sidebar

Find Your Degree
mastersprogramsguide.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Featured Articles

  • The War on Grad School [Infographic]
  • 50 Most Popular Online Master’s Degrees
  • Top 10 Reasons to Earn Your Master’s Degree
  • 50 Fastest Online Master’s Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master’s Programs
  • Top 50 Best Paying Master’s Degrees
  • 50 Most Popular Master’s Degrees

New Rankings

  • 50 Best Online MS in Mechanical Engineering
  • 50 Best Online MS in Civil Engineering
  • 50 Best Online MSN Programs
  • 50 Best Online MS in International Relations
  • 45 Best Online Master’s in Public Relations
  • 50 Best Online Master of Laws and Master of Legal Studies Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Masters in Social Work
  • 50 Best Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master of Accounting Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master of Public Health Online Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master of Criminal Justice Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master of Liberal Studies Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master of Special Education Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online MBA Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration
  • 50 Best Online Master of Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
  • 50 Best Online Master Of Professional Studies in Human Resources
  • 50 Best Online Master of Library Science Degree Programs
  • 30 Best Online Master’s in History Degree Programs

Student Resources

  • Mastering Public Speaking [Infographic]

Copyright © 2021 · Master's Programs Guide
Sitemap