to become a CPA/CPA in Georgia

Georgia has many industries including tourism, agriculture, electric vehicle manufacturing and more. Popular metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta provide a vibrant business environment. The Peach State is home to the United Parcel Service headquarters, Aflac and Coca-Cola.

Georgia accounting professionals have many opportunities to explore because of the welcoming business environment. In Georgia, earning certified accountant credentials can help candidates land careers as Financial Analyst or Auditors in Georgia’s leading sectors.

To become a CPA, the state requires that each candidate completes an accredited education program and passes all four sections of the CPA exam. They must also have relevant work experience. Georgia CPAs are required to maintain their licenses through continuing professional development (CPE) or renewals.

This guide will help individuals who are interested in launching a career as an accountant in Georgia to learn about the Georgia CPA requirements, including education, experience and eligibility for the exam.

Education Requirements to Become a CPA In Georgia

Georgia’s licensing requirements require that prospective CPAs meet certain educational standards. Georgia requires that each CPA candidate has completed 150 credits, and have a bachelor’s from an accredited institution. Credit requirements include at least 30 credit hours of non-introductory accounting and 24 credits of business-related coursework.

A bachelor’s in accounting can satisfy a large portion of the required coursework. To complete the 150 credits, candidates often obtain a graduate degree or certificate.

An accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s accounting program can provide the required number of credits for licensure while saving learners time earning two degrees.

Acceptance of courses, credits, and concentrations

Before applying for the CPA exam, individuals pursuing licensure as CPAs in Georgia must complete a Bachelor’s Degree at an accredited four-year college or university. A minimum of 20 credits must come from non-introductory accounting classes.

Georgia also requires that each candidate has at least 150 credit hours from a school accredited to obtain a CPA license. Georgia specifies that at least 30 credits of these must be non-introductory accounting and 24 must be business related to provide a solid accounting background. These requirements can be met by a degree, such as one in accounting, finance or business administration.

The Georgia State Board of Accountancy does not require degree programs to include certain courses. Programs designed to prepare students for CPA licensing typically include these courses:

Before applying to the CPA examination in Georgia, CPA candidates must have their coursework evaluated by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Georgia Experience Requirements

Georgia requires that all candidates have work experience before they can apply for a license. Georgia defines employment as work experience, not volunteer work or an internship.

Before applying for licensing, you must have at least 2,000 working hours of accounting experience in a period of 12 months. Work must also come from an active CPA, and can include any combination of taxation, auditing, consulting and accounting skills.

Before applying, you should have 2,000 hours of experience in the business world, government, or industry. This includes 12 months full-time employment. To qualify, candidates must regularly use their accounting, auditing or financial skills. In Georgia, candidates must also have industry or business experience and be directly supervised by a CPA.

The teaching experience must be at a four-year accredited college or university, and it must include at least 2 non-introductory accounting classes. The candidate must have taught at least 24 hours of semester time between 12 and 36 months.

CPA Exam Requirements

Prior to obtaining a Georgia CPA License, future professionals must pass Uniform CPA Exam. The exam measures candidates’ skills in auditing, accounting and business. Georgia has specific requirements for CPAs. Although the test is the same across the country, Georgia has its own set of requirements.

Exam Eligibility

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s from an accredited university or college before they can apply for Georgia’s CPA examination.

Also, transcripts of official courses must show that at least twenty credits are from non-introductory accounting classes. Georgia counts credits from the first two courses in accounting that a candidate has taken as introductory. These credits are not eligible for the CPA application.

Georgia, unlike other states does not require CPAs to pass an ethics test. However, applicants must exhibit good moral character for approval. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have either United States citizenship, or a legal residence that qualifies.

After the GSBA has approved an application, the candidate can take the CPA examination.

Exam Schedule and Application

CPA Central , a service of the NASBA, is where applicants can apply to take the Georgia CPA Exam.

CPA Examination Services (CPAES) must receive official transcripts from applicants’ schools in order to process their application. Those with international credits will also need to have their credits evaluated by NASBA. The results can be sent directly from NASBA (or the student) to CPAES. Before applying for the exam, candidates must have completed all credits.

The fee for a prospective CPA is $170. CPAES acknowledges receipt of the required information via email. It can take up to 4 weeks to receive a Notice to Schedule. Georgia requires that the NTS proves eligibility for the CPA examination.

Each section costs $238.15. The four sections can be taken at the same time or separately, and in any order. A candidate must complete all four sections of the exam within 18 months after passing their first one. The candidate must then retake all sections that they have already passed in order to pass the entire CPA exam.

Retakes of any exam sections are available for $85 a piece.

After passing the Exam

If they meet the work experience requirements, candidates who pass all four sections can apply immediately for licensure. The exam results are not valid for a period of time, so candidates have plenty of time to get the experience they need before applying.

CPA candidates must apply for licensure in one year after completing their work experience.

Georgia’s online licensure application is housed in , NASBA’s online CPA licensing system. Candidates can create an account to upload proof of their work experience and pay the initial $140 license fee. The approval process usually takes two weeks.

CPAverify allows employers and CPA license holders to verify the credentials of their employees.

How to maintain a Georgia CPA license

Georgia CPA licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered year. CPAs who are licensed can apply online or on paper. To qualify, either application must be submitted to the GSBA by December 31st of the renewal period.

If CPAs do not submit their applications in time, their licenses will be placed on a lapsed status. CPAs who do not send their applications on time will have their licenses placed in lapsed status.

Georgia requires that each CPA licensed completes 80 CPE credits, at least 20 of which must be completed each year. CPAs may earn CPE credit for completing college courses, participating in approved events, or authoring industry material. The 16 hours of required CPE must be in auditing or accounting subjects.

CPAs who move to Georgia from another state must be licensed in their home state and meet Georgia’s educational requirements. They do not have to earn CPE for the remainder of the year they receive the Georgia reciprocal license.

In Georgia, accounting firms must be owned by CPAs. Firms are required to renew their licenses before June 30th of every even-numbered year.

Georgia CPA requirements

What are the requirements to become a CPA?

Georgia CPA requirements includes 150 credits, including at least 30 credits of accounting and 24 credits of business. At least one year qualifying experience is also required. Candidate must also pass the four CPA sections within 18-months.

How can I become a CPA in Georgia without an accounting degree?

Georgia does not require a CPA to have an accounting degree, but at least 30 accounting credits are required. Candidates can meet this requirement by completing extra courses, or pursuing master’s or certificate degrees in accounting.

You can call yourself an accounting professional in Georgia without having a CPA.

Georgia does not require that accountants be CPAs. Many employers do prefer CPA-licensed individuals. CPAs with licenses can command higher salaries, and have more job options.

How long does it usually take to obtain a CPA’s license in Georgia

It takes between five and six years, including education, licensing, and work experience, to become a fully licensed CPA in Georgia. CPA candidates who have the time can work while they are in school. This will speed up the process.

What is the cost of becoming a CPA?

A Georgia CPA license costs $140. The first time a CPA applies to take the exam, they must pay $170.

The post How To Become A CPA In Georgia first appeared on Accounting.com.

Author: Alaina McCartney