Here is something that surprises a lot of people: you do not need an accounting degree to become a CPA. What you need is to meet your state's education requirements, pass the Uniform CPA Exam, and fulfill the experience requirement. Plenty of successful CPAs started their careers in finance, economics, liberal arts, engineering, and even completely unrelated fields before pivoting into accounting.
If you are a career changer or someone who did not major in accounting, this guide will walk you through exactly what you need to do, how long it will take, and what options are available to you.
Understanding the Education Requirement
Every state board of accountancy sets its own education requirements for CPA licensure, but there are common patterns. Most states require:
- 150 semester hours of college education (a bachelor's degree typically provides 120 hours)
- A certain number of accounting hours, usually 24 to 36 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework
- Business-related coursework, usually 24 to 30 hours in subjects like economics, business law, management, and statistics
The critical point is that these requirements are about specific courses, not about the name on your degree. A person with a bachelor's in English who has completed the required accounting and business courses is eligible to sit for the exam, just like someone with an accounting degree.
Prerequisite Courses You Will Need
If you have a non-accounting bachelor's degree, you will need to take additional coursework to meet the accounting and business hour requirements. The specific courses vary by state, but here is a typical list of what you might need:
Accounting Courses
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Cost or Managerial Accounting
- Auditing
- Federal Income Taxation (Individual and Corporate)
- Accounting Information Systems
- Advanced Accounting or Governmental Accounting
Business Courses
- Business Law
- Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
- Business Statistics
- Finance or Financial Management
- Management or Organizational Behavior
- Business Communications or Ethics
You do not necessarily need all of these. Check your specific state board's requirements carefully, because taking unnecessary courses wastes both time and money.
Bridge Programs and Certificate Programs
Many universities offer specific programs designed for career changers who want to meet CPA eligibility requirements. These come in several forms:
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs are the most direct path. These are typically 30 to 45 credit hours of accounting and business coursework that you can complete in one to two years. They are offered by many state universities and some private institutions, and they are specifically designed to prepare non-accounting graduates for the CPA exam.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programs are another popular option. Many MAcc programs accept students without an undergraduate accounting degree, provided they complete prerequisite courses first or during the program. A MAcc typically takes one to two years and has the added benefit of easily meeting the 150-hour requirement.
MBA with an accounting concentration can also work, although you need to be careful that the program includes enough dedicated accounting courses to meet your state's specific accounting hour requirements. Some MBA programs are too general to qualify.
Online Options
The good news for career changers is that many accredited universities now offer the required courses online. This means you can continue working while completing your education requirements. Some popular options include:
- University of North Alabama online MAcc program
- Louisiana State University online accounting courses
- UCLA Extension accounting certificate
- University of Connecticut online accounting graduate certificate
- Various community colleges for prerequisite courses
When choosing an online program, make sure the institution is regionally accredited. State boards of accountancy generally do not accept coursework from nationally accredited or unaccredited institutions. Also verify that the specific courses you plan to take will count toward your state's requirements. A quick call or email to your state board can save you from costly mistakes.
State-by-State Differences
State requirements vary significantly, and choosing the right state to pursue licensure can save you time and money. Here are a few examples to illustrate the range:
- Colorado and Montana allow candidates to sit for the CPA exam with only 120 credit hours, making them attractive for career changers who want to start the exam process sooner.
- California requires only a bachelor's degree with specific accounting coursework. It does not require 150 hours to sit for the exam, though you will need 150 hours for licensure.
- New York requires 150 hours including 33 hours of accounting. The state is relatively flexible about how you accumulate those hours.
- Texas requires 150 hours with 30 hours of upper-level accounting. The state is strict about what counts as upper-level.
- Illinois requires 150 hours with 30 hours of accounting and 24 hours of business courses.
If you live near a state border or plan to relocate, it is worth researching requirements in multiple states. You can often transfer your license between states later through a process called reciprocity or comity.
Realistic Timeline for Career Changers
Here is a realistic timeline for someone with a non-accounting bachelor's degree who is starting from scratch:
- Months 1 to 2: Research state requirements, choose a program, and enroll.
- Months 3 to 18: Complete prerequisite and additional coursework (12 to 18 months part-time, 9 to 12 months full-time).
- Months 12 to 30: Study for and pass the CPA exam (most candidates take 12 to 18 months, and you can start studying before finishing all coursework).
- Concurrent: Accumulate the required work experience, typically one to two years under a licensed CPA's supervision.
From start to finish, most career changers can become licensed CPAs within two to four years. That timeline is shorter if you already have some relevant coursework or if you pursue the process aggressively.
Tips for Career Changers
If you are coming from a non-accounting background, here are some practical tips to help you succeed:
- Leverage your existing skills. If you come from finance, law, IT, or management, you already have transferable knowledge that will make certain CPA exam topics easier.
- Start networking early. Join your state CPA society, attend events, and connect with CPAs in your target industry. These relationships will help with the experience requirement and with finding job opportunities.
- Do not wait until you finish all coursework to start studying. If you have completed intermediate accounting and tax, you can begin preparing for the FAR and REG sections of the CPA exam.
- Consider working in accounting while you study. Even a staff accountant or bookkeeping role gives you relevant experience and helps you contextualize what you are learning.
Getting Started
Becoming a CPA without an accounting degree is absolutely achievable. It requires planning, commitment, and a willingness to invest in additional education, but the career payoff is substantial. The accounting profession needs talented people from diverse backgrounds, and the CPA license will give you the credibility and opportunities to build a rewarding career.
When you are ready to start preparing for the CPA exam itself, Think CPA can help. Our study materials are built around clear explanations and conceptual understanding, which is especially valuable for career changers who are learning accounting concepts for the first time. We break down complex topics into manageable lessons so you can build a strong foundation and pass the exam with confidence.