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NEW YORK CPA EXAM & LICENSE REQUIREMENTS 2024
Here’s how you can earn CPA licensure in the state of New York.
There are accountants in nearly every industry in business and ecommerce. There are even accountants working for federal and state government, law enforcement and non-profit organizations. However, none can surpass the work—and industry respect—of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When you achieve this professional designation, you will be qualified to sign official financial statements, taxation documents and attest to the accuracy of all financial documents. New York State confers this responsibility on those who are able to meet its specific guidelines. Keep reading to learn how to become a CPA in New York.
General Requirements
The basic requirements of any state involve academics, an examination and experience. You will need 150 semester hours of academic credit from an accredited institution for your license, but 120 will suffice to sit for the CPA exam. On that test, you must pass all four parts with a minimum score of 75. After that, you will need to fulfill the New York State Board of Public Accountancy’s requirement for one year of work experience.
Academic Standards
When you seek out an accounting program, make sure that it satisfies the New York board’s standards for accreditation. Check with your academic advisor and make sure that your degree will be honored by either the New York State Board of Regents or the State Department of Education. It is integral to make sure your program is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or an accrediting body acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education.
Once you have determined that your program will satisfy the New York board, work with your advisor to plan out your course load to meet the specifics needed to sit for the CPA exam and then to qualify for full licensure. If you wish to sit for the exam prior to completing all 150 credit hours, your transcripts must include one of each from the following course list:
- Financial accounting
- Cost accounting
- Taxation
- Auditing and Attestation
To qualify for your license, your credits can come from a NYSED approved program that includes 150 hours, a master’s degree from an AACSB accredited program, or from a bachelor’s degree (plus additional credits) that includes the following:
33 hours in accounting courses, including the following type of coursework:
- Financial accounting
- Cost accounting
- Taxation
- Auditing and Attestation
- Accounting Research
36 hours in general business courses, including, but not limited to the following:
- Marketing
- Management
- Business Law
- Business Ethics
- Macro or Micro Economics
- Business Communications
Once you have matriculated with at least a bachelor’s degree, you can elect to sit for the 4-part CPA examination. This is one of the most difficult professional exams in the nation. Up to half of all applicants must retake all or part of the exam. You may wish to form a study group from your graduating class or work through a CPA review course.
After you graduate from your program have your original sealed transcripts sent to:
CPA Examination Services – NY
P.O. Box 198469
Nashville, TN 37219
CPA Examination
You will soon receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS). From that point you will have six months to schedule, take and pass at least one part of the 4-part exam. If you do not meet this deadline, you will need to pay a new application fee and schedule another test. When you do schedule a test, you can choose one or all of the following parts:
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Auditing and Attestation
- Regulation (Ethics)
- Business Environment and Concepts
Experience
After you pass all four parts of the exam, all you will have left is the experience portion of the licensure application. The New York board requires that you spend one year working under a licensed CPA. You can work full-time for a full year or part-time (20 hours per week minimum) for two years. You can choose from a wide range of work environments, including state or federal government agencies, public accountancy firms, academia or a private company.
You must document all of your time and duties during your pre-license tenure. Once you have completed the time requirements, have your supervisor fill out the Application Form 4B, Certification of Employer form. If you worked for multiple employers, have each complete the form. Your experience must reflect competencies in skills related to some or all of the following:
- Accounting
- Auditing and Attestation
- Management Advisory
- Financial or Taxation Consultancy
- Compilation
New York offers a wide range of opportunities for CPAs. The top four accounting firms in the United States are in New York City and upstate New York has many opportunities for a public or private accountant. For more information on becoming a NewYork CPA, visit the Board’s website: New York State Board of Public Accountancy.