Do you need a master's degree to take the CPA exam and to become a CPA?

Question

I have a bachelor's degree in Finance.

Answer 1

No, but in some states you need 150 credit hours, which is about a year beyond the bachelor's degree.

Answer 2

Nope. Just a degree in that field (I think Accounting only but Finance might work), the school hours, 148 or 150 and that's it. Most people graduate with a bachelors in about 120 hours so most CPA's I know have double majors/minors just to fill out the rest of the time.

Other than that, you sit for four exams and that's it.

Most of the CPA's I know, don't bother with masters degrees. A masters in business or accounting is just a dumbed down CPA. I do know a few looking to get a masters in finance though.

Answer 3

NO - you just have to meet the education requirements of your state. I had a bachelors degree in Finance but started working as a staff accountant. I loved it so much that I looked into what I had to do to become a CPA. My state required 150 total hours to sit for CPA exam. The 150 hours had to contain so many classes in Financial acccounting, auditing, cost accg, business law etc. When I added it all up, I found that I could get the masters degree by taking only 3 more classes than what I needed in order to sit for CPA exam...so that's what I did :)

Answer 4

Masters not required but 150 credit hours is. Since most bachelors programs give you 120-130 hours, you'll need to go back to school. You can go back as a post-grad taking whatever classes just to accrue credits, but most will take on a masters since it's something you can pin to your resume.

Also, there are Masters of Accounting (Macc) degree programs that are essentially preparation courses for your CPA examination. So instead of taking private course review material, you can prepare AND get a masters at the same time. Great way to do it.