Answers to your top questions about the CPA journey

The path to becoming a CPA can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Between finishing your degree, starting a job, and preparing for a rigorous professional exam, it’s easy to wonder where to begin.

In a recent conversation between Georgia Tech student and CPA candidate Hunter Richardson and the AICPA’s Joe Maslott, Director of Content Management for Examinations, one message stood out above all: preparation is everything, and becoming a CPA is absolutely achievable.

Here’s what every aspiring CPA should understand about the journey ahead.

Prepare to prepare

When asked what a “warning label” for the CPA journey would say, Maslott didn’t sugarcoat it.

“Prepare yourself that you are going to have to prepare,” he said. “Preparation is absolutely key, but don’t let that deter you.”

The Uniform CPA Exam® is known for its breadth and rigor. Each of the four sections is four hours long, covering a wide range of topics. But the key takeaway isn’t that it’s impossible; it’s that success requires intention and planning.

Thousands of candidates pass the CPA Exam every year. With a structured approach and consistent effort, you can too.

Understanding the key players

The CPA licensure process involves several organizations:

• State boards of accountancy: Set and enforce CPA licensure requirements and issue licenses (55 U.S. jurisdictions)
• The AICPA: Develops and scores the CPA Exam
• NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy): Supports state boards and provides services
• Prometric: Administers the exam at testing centers

While this may seem complex, each organization plays a specific role. The key is knowing that your CPA license ultimately comes from your state board, while the exam itself is standardized nationwide.

The “four E’s” of CPA licensure

If you’re just starting your journey, Maslott recommends remembering the four E’s.

These four components make up the foundation of CPA licensure:

• Education requirements vary by state but typically involve accounting and business coursework.
• Examination refers to the Uniform CPA Exam, which is the same across all jurisdictions.
• Experience must generally be completed under the supervision of a licensed CPA.
• Ethics may involve an additional exam, depending on your state.

Importantly, these steps don’t have to be completed in a strict sequence.

“You can be working, studying for the CPA Exam, building your body of experience… You don’t have to do your education, then your exam, then your experience,” Maslott said.

This flexibility allows candidates to tailor the process to their personal and professional timelines.

Evolving education requirements: More flexibility than ever

Historically, CPA candidates needed 150 credit hours, which often meant getting a master’s degree or completing additional coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree. But that’s changing.

Many jurisdictions now offer alternative pathways, such as a bachelor’s degree (120 hours) plus two years of experience, instead of 150 hours plus one year of experience.

This shift gives students more options based on their financial situation, career goals, and timeline.

“Really, you can kind of choose your own path,” Maslott said. “There’s multiple paths, offering more flexibility.”

The key is to check your specific state requirements, as they can change frequently.

What counts toward the 150 hours?

A common question among students is whether all 150 credits must be accounting related.

The answer: not necessarily.

If you meet your state’s required accounting and business coursework, the remaining credits can be in other areas. This means you could:

• Pursue a Master of Accountancy
• Earn an MBA
• Take additional courses in other disciplines

This flexibility allows you to broaden your skill set while still meeting CPA licensure requirements.

Experience: What qualifies (and what doesn’t)

Experience requirements vary by state or jurisdiction, but one rule is consistent: your work must be supervised by a licensed CPA.

That experience doesn’t have to be in public accounting. It can include:

• Corporate accounting
• Internal audit
• Government or industry roles

“It doesn’t have to be public accounting,” Maslott said. “It can be in a wide range of fields.”

How the CPA Exam is structured

The CPA Exam consists of four sections:

• Three Core sections (required):
  • Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
  • Taxation and Regulation (REG)
• One Discipline section (choose one):
  • Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
  • Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
  • Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

Choosing the right exam order for you

Many students assume they should start with the hardest section (often considered FAR). But Maslott offers a different perspective.

“Choose an exam section that you’re most comfortable with, so you can get a really good understanding of the preparation it takes,” he said.

Starting with a strength can build confidence, help you develop a study routine, and create momentum for the remaining sections.

Study strategies: What actually works

When it comes to studying, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But a few key principles stand out:

1. Start early: Give yourself enough time to prepare thoroughly (ideally, a few months per section).

2. Use a repeatable system: Once you find a study approach that works, stick with it for all four sections.

3. Don’t ignore simulations: Task-based simulations make up about half your score.

“You can’t avoid the task-based simulations,” Maslott said. “You can’t just study multiple-choice questions.”

Practicing simulations is critical to exam success.

Timing: How long do you have?

Once you pass your first exam section, the clock starts ticking. Most jurisdictions allow 30 months to pass the remaining three sections, but some allow up to 36 months.

This gives you flexibility but also makes it important to plan strategically.

Is CPA licensure still worth it?

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, some students question whether the CPA designation still holds value.

Maslott answered with a resounding “Yes.”

“The CPA has a very firm place in making sure that capital markets have the oversight that they need,” he said.

Only CPAs can sign audit reports, and the profession is built on trust, integrity, and independence, qualities that remain essential, regardless of technological change.

With multiple pathways, flexible timelines, and abundant resources, there’s never been a better time to start your CPA journey.

The key is simple: prepare, stay consistent, and take it one step at a time.

Because although the CPA journey may come with a warning label, it also comes with a proven outcome: success for those willing to put in the work.

Watch our March 31 webinar, “CPA Journey: Frequently Asked Questions,” to hear the full conversation. (Scroll down to the “On Demand” section).