Accountant

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's in accounting; CPA license boosts pay and options.

1. 1

   Bachelor's in accounting (150 credits for CPA)

   Degree

   A bachelor's gets you in; 150 credit-hours are needed to sit for the CPA.

   $20,000–$120,000 · 4 years source

2. 2

   CPA exam (4 sections) — optional but valuable

   Exam

   Not required to work as an accountant, but unlocks higher-paying roles.

   $1,000–$3,000 · 12 months · varies by state source

3. 3

   State CPA license

   License

   Exam + experience requirement, then state licensure.

   $50–$500 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Which occupations require a license and in which states: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. DOL). Costs/hours are curated estimates that vary by state and change — see each step's official source.