<p>I was just wondering what job psospects are for non-CPAs. I recently graduated as an accounting major and highly doubt I have what it takes to pass the CPA exam, considering that I did not fiind accounting interesting and the fact that the pass rate for the CPA exam is quite low.</p>
<p>My question is whether an accountant can be successful (financially) without being a CPA or if I should just switch to a different field?</p>
<p>50% is low?</p>
<p>Look at the pass rate for your school and then try to relate that to where you think you were(if you went to a great school, the top 80% probably pass on their first try). There’s lots of crappy programs and community colleges out there generating bad candidates.</p>
<p>Well, thanks for the info. But the first time pass rate in 2009 was 49%, which is far lower than for comparable licensing exams, such as the Bar.</p>
<p>In Q1 2010, the pass rate for each of the 4 CPA exams ranged from 44-49%. In contrast, pass rate for takers of the NY Bar exam was 88% in 2009.</p>
<p>Law schools do a better job of getting rid of people by the end of the third year of law school. Plus you are pretty much completely boned if you don’t pass the bar. Lots more people get away with failing a few parts of the CPA.</p>
<p>You should be able to pass the cpa exam, you only have to pass it one section at a time (of course the first sitting you need to pass two). There is no excuse not to passs it.</p>
<p>Its the job experiences requirement for license that is difficult, some people don’t like the statutory auditing work has to do to get a certificate.</p>
<p>Without a CPA, you can work as a accounting clerk. Process AR/AP and reconcile accounts. Maybe move up to accounting supervisor and make around 60k after 5-7 years working in a small private business. Typically after this point you might hit a bump because most other positions will require a CPA.</p>
<p>@Comment</p>
<p>I disagree. I believe some one’s destiney is in his/her own hands, no matter what the major is UG or Grad. You don’t have to be a CPA to be successful and A CPA in itself may or maynot be to the key of success. It all depends on the individual.</p>
<p>^ in a sense, yes. but upper level accounting type work requires you to have the CPA certification, plain and simple. you could be a great, hard working employee, but you may still need to prove your ability to do something based off a test. Some nurses may be better workers than some doctors, but theres a reason the doctor gets paid more and has that MD next to his name</p>
<p>art, unfortunately if he wants to stay in accounting and move up, you will needs a CPA or CMA. However, if he moves into another division such as finance or business development, his ability to advance will be determined by how well he does on the job.</p>
<p>It’s not the key to success, it’s the pre-requisite to advancement in many jobs. And it is in your own hands, it’s not hard to get your CPA. If you can’t because of the credits, that’s something you can fix sooner or later. If it’s not because your brain can’t handle a few tests, then you’ve got bigger problems.</p>
<p>OP,
don’t let the CPA exam overwhelm you. Just take it section by section. Study one section at a time and take a prep class if it will give you more confidence.</p>
<p>You made it through 4 years of accounting classes,you know more than you think you do.</p>