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See how Georgia Southwestern's committed faculty members can assist you in meeting your goal to pass the Certified Public Accountant exam. GSW’s BBA in Accounting program meets the educational requirements for the CPA exam. We help prepare graduates for careers in accounting, including offering opportunities to complete internships, participate in summer leadership programs, and network with accounting professionals.
CPAs provide accounting services, tax services, and audit services. Only CPAs can provide audit services for public companies. CPA’s roles are expanding to include greater skill sets and a greater grasp of emerging technologies (NASBA, 2023). CPAs follow a code of ethics and annually complete Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements to maintain licensure. The Department of Labor reports that the average accountant’s salary in the United States is $72,000. CPAs earn 10-15% more than non-CPAs (GLIEM, 2023). Accountants are some of the most sought-after professionals. In 2023, 62% of companies plan to add full-time accounting positions.
It is an exciting time to pursue a CPA license. In a joint effort between the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Uniform CPA Examination is changing to prepare students for these increasing opportunities. Starting in January 2024, the CPA model will include CORE + Discipline. The CPA Examination reflects three pillars of the CPA profession: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Business & Political Science Building
229-881-7693
carol.bishop@gsw.edu
Students wishing to sit for the CPA exam in Georgia must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and at least 20 hours of upper-level accounting courses (beyond ACCT 2101 and 2102).
Requirements for licensure include the following:
No, you do not need a graduate degree to sit for the CPA Exam. You can sit for the CPA Exam when you obtain your Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting or a baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited institution and 20 semester hours of accounting beyond ACCT 2101 and ACCT 2102.
NASBA’s CPA Examination Services division handles registration and administers the CPA exam. Contact NASBA at (800)-CPA-EXAM or (800)-272-3926.
Plan to take the CPA exam when you graduate from GSW with your Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. You want to take the exam while the material you learned is still fresh in your mind.
Yes, you should take a review course. Completing a review course will help you recall what you learned and understand how questions will be worded. Many review courses offer guarantees where you can repeat the review for any sections you don’t pass.
Georgia will count 3 accounting hours (of the 30 required) for an internship. Any GSW accounting elective will count towards the 150-hour requirement.
Yes, the CPA exam is a national test with reciprocity in some states. You must communicate with the state board of accountancy for specific requirements where you plan to become licensed.
Yes, students can become members of the Georgia Society of CPAs by visiting the Member Application web page.