The main dilemma for many accounting students after college is the path to becoming professionals in the financial field. Without a doubt, it’s a very competitive industry that requires individuals to constantly improve their skills. If you’ve just graduated or are already working, you may be worried about the time it takes to complete a CPA certificate. Usually, this may depend on multiple factors, such as your personal circumstances, work commitment, and level of preparedness.
Some learners can take up to 18 months after completing their bachelor’s degree, while some may take even longer. If you have a solid study schedule that involves having sufficient resources and doing continuous tests, you could complete the program within two years.
In this discussion, we explore the timeline for completing a CPA after college and any other important information you need to know. You will also get a few tips on passing your exams to ensure you complete the course in good time.
Understanding the Timeline
Achieving a CPA qualification is a three-step career launch that involves completing various milestones. Before moving to the next stage, you must complete the previous stage successfully. Nearly all states have a stringent 150 credit hours requirement for learners to be licensed as qualified Certified Public Accountants. Whereas a typical degree has a 120-credit-hour requirement, the CPA has an extra 30 hours. To complete it can take up to 18 months or roughly two years, based on your specific study method.
Some students join the Master’s degree program to earn extra credits, and this normally takes 12 months. Others may enrol for integrated degree programs lasting up to five years and hence achieve the 150 hours. These programs combine both undergraduate and master’s degree studies.
Undergraduate degrees are flexible options for many students who, after completion, enrol in the CPA. You need to check with your state’s accountancy board regarding the 150-hour rule so that you can know where you fit in.
Passing the CPA exam is the next step that requires vigorous training and doing the four-part assessments. These include Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Regulations, and Financial Accounting and Reporting. Learners must pass these sections within an 18-month period that starts from the time they passed the first session.
Due to the limited time, you must craft a unique study program that involves taking one section every three months. In a year, this can translate to roughly three sections, assuming you have breaks in between.
Tips to Study Smart for Exams
Passing your CPA examination is a major boost that can set a solid foundation for your career. However, most students who undertake the CPA exams can attest to the fact that the tests are stringent with a strict grading system. If you’re a working professional, you could face various obstacles when preparing for your CPA examinations. Time constraints could be one of the key challenges when trying to balance work and study. Due to heavy study volume, it requires rigorous preparation and giving up your personal time for studies and revision.
Secondly, you can find great accounting resources online with test questions and answers to prepare you for the examinations known as test banks. Using a high-quality test bank ensures you are ready for these high-level exams. They guide learners to understand how the concepts are broken down. For example, EXAM Banks is rated among the world’s #1 intermediate accounting reference platforms for CPA revision kits, including Kieso, to help students study and solve accounting exams the same way they are phrased on actual exam papers.
Thirdly, you can sign up for online tutorials early enough to allow you to be ahead and save a lot of study time. The advantage of online tutorials is that they focus on the most important concepts so that you can identify areas of weakness and make corrections more efficiently. You can lock in an exemplary performance since you’ll be provided with free materials.
In Summary
The journey to succeeding and becoming a qualified CPA takes more than dedication. It’s a well-defined path that requires developing a study program to meet the stringent 150 credit hours requirement. You need a strategic plan to complete and pass the four examination sections, which will enable you secure a good job.
A proper execution will ensure you attain this goal within 18 months. Alongside the course materials, you need to do continuous exercises that will help boost your confidence during the examination. The CPA course becomes easier if you can use a test resource bank that has questions, answers, and breaks down the logic behind each solution.
