How To Become a CPA in Idaho: Step By Step Guide
Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the U.S, as more people migrate to the state on purpose. The low cost of living is one reason why the state stands out as one of the best places to live.
Because of this growth, Idaho has an explosion in job growth in finance, insurance, and real estate related fields. Thus, Idaho offers ideal employment opportunities for Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
Regardless whether you want to work in private or public accounting, Idaho has career opportunities. Let’s look at the ID CPA requirements to take the CPA exam and become a licensed CPA in Idaho, so you can start your CPA career today.
Basic Requirements For CPA Certification in Idaho
All CPA candidates must meet the following CPA requirements in order to take the CPA exam in Idaho and become a certified public accountant:
- Be at least 18 years
- Be Idaho residents
- Have a social security number
- Partake international programs and exams
- Have a bachelor’s degree
- Have an accrued-1 year of work experience in accountancy
You do not have to be a US citizen to take the CPA exam in Idaho.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, CPA candidates must follow the following steps to get a license.
- Get an education in Idaho
- Take and pass the uniform CPA exam
- Accrue one-year work experience
- Pay the Idaho CPA license
- Continue education in Idaho
Idaho CPA Certification Education Requirements
CPA candidates must meet education requirements in order to be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA exam. These requirements includes completing a bachelors’ degree with 120 college credit hours including the following course work:
- 24 credit hours in upper-level accounting
- 24-hours in business-related courses
The upper-level accounting courses must consist of financial accounting, auditing taxation, and management accounting. On the other hand, business courses must include business communication, marketing, management, business law, and statistics.
Education credentials must be from an accredited learning institution certified by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or any other regional accrediting agency. Idaho does not accept CPA study courses as credit in place of college courses. All 150 credits must be completed through an accredited university. CPA candidates must provide all education transcripts from learning institutions attended.
International students must have their academic credentials evaluated and accredited by a National Association of Credential Valuation Services member. All credentials must be sent to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy for approved. It’s important to send in your college credits before you apply for the exam. This way you will know if they meet the Idaho CPA requirements prior to paying any fees.
Idaho CPA Exam Requirements
After you’ve completed the education requirements for a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA exam.
Idaho only requires 120 college credit hours to take the CPA exam. You will, however, need to complete 150 credit hours to qualify for your CPA license.
One important note is that you do not have to be a US citizen to take the CPA exam in Idaho. Thus, Idaho is a good state for international CPA candidates to sit for the exam. Keep in mind that you do have to be an Idaho resident however.
ID CPA Exam Costs & Fees
One of the requirements for taking the Uniform CPA exam in Idaho is paying the CPA examination fees. The cost to take all four CPA exam sections is $743 plus an additional $100 application fee. The re-examination charge is $50.
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD): $195.35
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC): $176.25
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): $195.35
- Regulation (REG): $176.25
- Application Fee: $100
Idaho CPA License Requirements
Obtaining a CPA license is a must for anyone looking to practice as a certified public accountant in the state. In order to qualify for a CPA license in Idaho, CPA candidates must complete the following minimum CPA license requirements:
- 150 semester hours leading to a bachelor’s degree
- 24 credit hours in accounting
- 24-credit hours in business courses
- Taking and passing the Uniform CPA exam
- Taking and passing the ethics exam
- Show proof of at least 1-year experience majoring in accountancy
CPA candidates who meet all the listed requirements can fill out and submit all the required CPA license paperwork and license fees to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy. The Board issues licenses continually throughout the year, so there ins’t a deadline for your license application.
Idaho CPA Ethics Exam
Besides taking the Uniform CPA exam, the Board requires CPA candidates to complete the AICPA ethics course and exam. A score of more than 90% is considered passing in the AICPA Ethics exam.
You can purchase this exam and study booklet directly from the AICPA. It’s a relatively easy test since it’s open book, but don’t disregard it. You only have 3 chances to pass it before you will have to pay another fee and take it in person at a testing center.
Work Experience Requirements
Idaho requires CPA candidates to complete work experience before applying for the CPA license. In this case, candidates must complete one year or 2,000 hours of professional experience in accounting services.
The work experience may contain full or part-time experience. Likewise, it must be taken more than 36 continuous months. Also, it should be taken under the supervision of a licensed CPA holder.
Idaho CPA License Application & Renewal
Issued CPA licenses must be renewed annually by July of each year. For renewal, holders must show proof of 80 hours of continuing professional education on a rolling two-year basis.
For first-time CPA license renewals, certified public accountants must:
- Pay a $120 license renewal fee.
- Complete 2 CPE ethics hours in a year
- Complete at least 30 hours of CPE
After your first year, you will need to complete a minimum of 40 CPE hours annually ( 80 bi-annually ) in order to maintain your license.
Idaho CPA Salary
Currently, there are more than 9,000 accountants, bookkeepers, and accounting clerks in Idaho. Certified Public accountants amount to about 3,900. Likewise, there are tremendous employment opportunities for licensed CPAs, given the state economy’s rate.
Licensed CPAs can pursue careers in forensic accounting finance, managerial accounting, and information technology. The average Idaho CPA salary is approximately $65,000, according to the Department of Labor. However, it can increase depending on years of experience as well as where one is working.
With a CPA license, you are bound to be in high demand as the state’s economy continues to hit new milestones as one of the fastest growing in the U.S.
Additional Idaho CPA Resources
Below are several key resources that you can use to learn how to take the CPA exam in Idaho and become a certified public accountant.