Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a great way to advance your career in the field of accounting and finance. In Washington State, the process to become a CPA is relatively straightforward. In order to become a CPA in Washington, an individual must apply for and be granted a CPA license from the Washington State Board of Accountancy.
Educational Requirements
The educational requirements for becoming a CPA in Washington State are quite straightforward. An individual must complete 150 semester hours of college credit, including a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in related business courses. In addition, the individual must also complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of graduate-level accounting work.
Exam Requirements
Once the educational requirements have been met, an individual must pass the Uniform CPA Exam. The CPA Exam is a four-part, multiple-choice test that covers topics such as financial accounting and reporting, regulation, business environment and concepts, and audit and attestation. The exam is administered by the Washington State Board of Accountancy and is offered at various locations throughout the state.
Experience Requirements
In addition to passing the CPA Exam, an individual must also meet the experience requirements in order to be eligible for a CPA license in Washington State. The experience requirements vary depending on the type of CPA license sought. Generally speaking, an individual must have two years of professional accounting experience, which must be verified by a supervising CPA. This experience must be in the same field as the individual’s educational studies.
Application Process
Once the educational, exam, and experience requirements have been met, an individual must submit an application to the Washington State Board of Accountancy. The application must include a current resume, a certificate of good standing from the state in which the individual is currently licensed (if applicable), and any other documentation that is required by the board. Once the application is received and reviewed, the board will issue a CPA license to the individual.
Conclusion
Becoming a CPA in Washington State is a relatively straightforward process. Individuals must meet the educational, exam, and experience requirements set forth by the Washington State Board of Accountancy. Once all of the required materials have been submitted, the board will review the application and issue a CPA license if all of the requirements have been met.
