I currently attend college in Virginia and I’m planning to take the CPA exam. However, is there any major difference in being CPA certified and having a CPA license? How often do CPA certified accountants continue on to getting a license? In VA you only need 120 credits (bach. degree) to sit for the CPA exam, but 150 + work experience to get a license… As far as I know the only benefits to a license is being able to own your own firm and work unsupervised (correct me if I’m wrong). I’m also not sure whether i’ve decided yet if i want to make accounting my life long career. So i’m a little hesitant to drop the cash for that extra year or summer courses to meet the 150 credit hour requirement since i’m paying for my own tuition.
You are not CPA certified if you pass the exam and don’t meet the criteria for certification in your state (including the 150 credits). You cannot put on your resume that you are a CPA if you just pass the exam (you can only write that you passed the exam). Regardless of if you want your own firm or not having a CPA is a useful and highly regarded credential. IMO (and I’m a CPA as is my son) passing the CPA exam without getting certified is like taking 120 credits at an undergraduate institution and not getting a degree. I’d spend the money and get the extra credits.
Thanks for the advice! But my next question would be how do i spend the money? Would it be better for me to continue on for a masters, double major, or just take summer classes of things that i’m interested in to fulfill the 150 requirement?
You should check with your state board to see what they requirements are (they vary state to state in terms of how many accounting/business credits you need etc.). We live in NY and people have done different things to get the 150 credits (APs count as well if your college accepted them for credit). My S did a one year masters program. He has one friend who had a lot of APs and was able to reach the 150 credit by taking a few summer schools classes and overloading his schedule a couple of semesters. He has yet another friend who did one extra semester of undergrad work to get the necessary credits (he did not get a masters). The bottom line is check your state requirements and figure out the best way for you to get the credits and classes that you need.
I agree with happy1. Take the exam and get licensed for sure. Even if you end up working outside of the accounting, the fact that you earned a CPA license will always serve you well.
I’d say go for the masters in accounting, unless this is some other subject matter that you feel would serve you better.