If you want to become an accountant in Pennsylvania, you need to know that this state is a hub of opportunities for prospective accountants. From healthcare and education to manufacturing, the demand for certified accountants is consistent. A CPA license is like gold, increasing an individual’s demand across sectors and preparing them to take on complex financial tasks.
If you are planning to become a certified accountant in Pennsylvania, you must follow these steps. This article will explain step by step guide to becoming a certified accountant:
1. Education Requirements
Becoming a CPA in Pennsylvania involves completing the required education and supervised experience. You must have a bachelor’s degree from a reputable college or university. For a bachelor’s degree, you should cover courses such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, and business law.
2. Legal Requirements
The one thing you must know is that an accountant in Pennsylvania should comply with the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy regulations. This individual completed the required education, passed the CPA exam, and completed the work experience hours.
If you are a Virginia citizen, you must know that becoming a cpa in Virginia requires compliance with the state’s regulations.
3. 150-Hour Undergraduate Track
This is the most common route for individuals. On this track, you must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher. A candidate must complete 150 semester credits of coursework and gain 1 year of supervised work experience.
4. CPA Exam Overview
Once you have completed your education, your next goal will be to pass the CPA exam. This exam tests the technical knowledge and skills that are expected of today’s professionals. Intuit is the platform where you can get guidance on the CPA exam.
What will these exams include? Here’s a general overview:
3 core sections:
- AUD: Auditing and Attestation
- FAR: Financial Accounting and Reporting
- REG: Taxing and Regulation
5. Work Experience
Work experience is essential to become an expert accountant. Gaining work experience as an accountant is critical to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, particularly for students and fresh graduates. Key methods to secure experience include internships, volunteering, networking, and entry-level roles such as accounts payable/receivable clerk.
6. Apply for Your CPA License
To apply for a CPA license in Virginia, you must pass all four CPA exam sections within 30 months. Also, complete the AICPA ethics course and meet specific education/experience requirements. Apply online through the VBOA portal, pay the fee, and submit experience verification.
As of January 1, 2026, Virginia offers three pathways to licensure:
- Pathway 1: Master’s degree + 1 year of experience.
- Pathway 2: Bachelor’s degree + 30 credit hours + 1 year of experience.
- Pathway 3: Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Ethics Requirement: You must complete the AICPA self-study Professional Ethics: AICPA’s Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or better.
7. Continuing Professional Education
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees alone are not enough if you want to grow. Continuing professional education is compulsory to stay up to date and stand out as an accountant.