What is a CPA?
A CPA - Certified Public Accountant - is a financial profession who speaks the language of business. Today's CPA is in high demand and audit financial statements f public and private companies; serve as consultants in many areas, including tax, accounting, and financial planning; and are well-respected strategic business advisors and decision makers.
Benefits of Earning Your CPA
- Becoming a CPA can boost your earning potential throughout your lifetime. According to the AICPA, CPAs earn 10-15% more than non-CPAs working in accounting-related jobs.
- CPAs have access to jobs with higher authority and responsibility, as well as greater career stability
- CPAs are the most-trusted advisors to business owners and are known for their high level of integrity and competency
- Being a CPA allows you to do meaningful work with motivated and talented people
- You can travel internationally or work right within your local community
- When you earn your CPA in Florida you become a member of a larger exclusive statewide professional community
Steps To Becoming A Florida CPA
Cap
Meet Education Requirements
Take 120 semester (or 160 quarter) hour credits
- 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours must be in upper-division (junior or senior level) accounting:
- Taxation, Auditing, Financial and Cost
- 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours must be in upper-division general business, including 3 semester (or 4 quarter) hours in business law
Schedule Your Exam
- The NASBA will send your a Notice to Schedule (NTS)
- Use your NTS to schedule your exam at NASBA
- Pass all 4 parts of the CPA exam during an 18 month time frame
- each section is 3-4 hours
Gain The Required Work Experience
Obtain one year of work experience
- Must be verified by a licensed CPA
- All requirements to sit for the exam must be met before obtaining your work experience
- Board staff calculates the work experience based on when the applicant completed 120 semester hours, regardless of concentration
Exam
Apply for the Uniform CPA Exam
Apply at the DBPR
- The exam application requires a $50 non-refundable fee
- Don't forget to submit your transcripts
- Once the State Board of Accountancy approves your application, it will be sent to the National Association of State boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and you will receive a Jurisdiction ID number
Apply For Licensure
Pass all four parts of the CPA exam and complete 150 semester (225) quarter) credit hours
- 30 semester (45 quarter) hours must be in upper-division (junior or senior level) accounting:
- Taxation, Auditing, Financial and Cost
- 36 semester (54 quarter) hours must be in upper-division business, including 3 semester (4 quarter) hours in business law based on US Law
Apply for your CPA license!
- Apply online at DBPR
- Include all work experience verifications and academic transcripts
- You must apply for your license within three years of passing the last part of your CPA exams
Congratulations, you are now part of a community of more than 18,000 CPAs and accounting professionals!
Newly Certified - Join For Half Off!
Congratulations on earning your Florida CPA certification - the FICPA has opportunities for young CPAs looking to take the next step in their careers. You have questions about your license and CPE requirements - we're here to help.
Join now at 50% off the regular price! Call Member Services to take advantage!
You Earned It - Be Recognized!
Newly-Certified Swearing-in Ceremony
Each year the FICPA recognizes all Newly Certified CPAs at a Swearing-in Ceremony held in conjunction with our Mega Conference in Orlando. Meet leaders from the Board of Accountancy and the FICPA and get the recognition you deserve!
CPA Evolution
Proposed changes will transform the CPA licensure module to recognize the changing skills and competencies accounting requires today.
A combined NASBA - AICPA initiative, the new CPA licensure model proposes a core mastery of accounting, audit, tax, and technology, that all candidates are required to complete. Then, each candidate will choose a discipline in which to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge.
This model will:
- Enhance public protection by bringing deeper knowledge and skills to the profession
- Reflects the realities of practice today
- Is adaptable and flexible
- Results in one CPA license
In 2024, the AICPA and NASBA will launch an infrastructure change to the CPA Exam.
CPA Exam Resources
Preparing for the CPA Exam
We'll be with you every step of the way with discounts on CPA Exam review courses, helping make sure you've fulfilled the requirements, and on-on-one guidance to help navigate the certification process.
Need more direction or have a question regarding your academics or how to sit for the CPA exam, we're here to help!
Contact Megan Altizer, Academic and Student Initiatives Manager
meganm@ficpa.org or emergpro@ficpa.org
850-521-5948
For more information on the CPA career opportunities and the licensure process, check out these resources:
