Becoming a CPA is quite an accomplishment. You will now have access to a job that pays well and lets you choose your own hours. But you also need to be aware of the fact that your education in this area is far from over. There are a great many reasons why you will need to continue learning even after you get licensed.
You Need to Reeducate to Stay Licensed
Even after you have completed the UWorld Roger CPA course and passed your CPA licensing exam, you will still need to continue your education. This is a requirement if you want to keep your license as a CPA. The reasons for this are several. Being a CPA requires you to adapt to a wide host of changing conditions. There are always new things that need to be mastered.
There are a number of CPA educational course hours that you will need to take each and every year. The exact amount of hours required will vary according to the state that you live in. You will need to check with your state CPA board in order to learn this amount. Once you can do it, you can take the necessary steps.
The total number of hours may vary from a low of 40 to a high of 120. You may also be required to complete certain types of courses first. Some states may require a minimum of 8 hours in accounting and auditing. Again, you will need to check with your state CPA licensing board to get all of the details you require.
Continuing Education is Required for AICPA Membership
If you wish to remain a member of the prestigious AICPA, you will need to continue your education. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) insists on this. You must complete 120 CPE course hours. You have 36 months to prove that you have completed them. Once you do, you can remain a member in good standing.
There is no hard or fast rule as to what form this continuing reeducation can take. You can go the time honored route of taking classes in an actual live setting. Many people now prefer to take classes online. This lets you learn and study in the privacy of your own home without causing extra inconvenience.
Continuing Your Education Can Raise Your Earning Potential
The main reason to go through the time-consuming hassle and tedium of continuing your CPA education is a good one. This will be the chance for you to raise your earning potential. As new systems and methods develop, you want to be able to prove that you are on top of them. The sooner you do, the more you can charge.
This will also stand you in good stead when it comes to keeping your status as an AICPA member. Completing the courses will gain you official recognition that will come in handy at tax time. You will be able to show official proof that you are in the top tier of knowledgeable CPAs whose services are worth big bucks.
Continuing Your Education Brings You Greater Opportunities
Have you ever wanted to get off the 8 to 5 slave drive and open up your very own accounting practice? Thanks to improvements in tech as well as the potential for continuing your education, you can now do so. One of the very best perks of your membership in the AICPA will be the ability to gain an endorsement when needed.
Keeping your good standing in the AICPA will help you get valuable references and licenses that can help you start your own practice. You will have all of the credentials that you need to gain a new body of clients. From there, you can begin to enjoy the fruits of working for yourself.
Being a CPA is an Ongoing Experience
The main point that you will need to take away from this article is that being a CPA is not a “one and done” type of deal. There are always new things that you will need to learn. As digital tech develops, so will new ways of doing the job of a CPA. This will require more education to keep you completely up to speed.
