Learn How to Become a Licensed Certified Public Accountant In Connecticut
Connecticut, also called the Constitution State, boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in the US with a strong economy built on manufacturing, financial services, insurance, and real estate.
Connecticut is a great state for certified public accountants to further their careers. With a close proximity to NYC, the accounting profession in Connecticut is projected to grow 10% by 2026.
The first step to starting your accounting career in Connecticut is to complete the State Board’s minimum qualifications. Let’s look at the CT CPA requirements and what you need to do to take the CPA exam and become a licensed CPA in Connecticut.
Minimum Connecticut CPA Requirements
To be eligible for the CPA exam and become a licensed certified public accountant in Connecticut, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have a Valid Social Security Number
- Complete a Bachelor’s Degree with 150 college credit hours
- Minimum Age: not required
- US Citizenship: not required
- Connecticut Residency: not required
Unlike many other states, you do not need to be a U.S citizen or CT resident to take the exam or become a certified public accountant in Connecticut. In addition, there is no minimum age requirement to take the CPA exam. These loose requirements make Connecticut a great state for candidates in other states or countries to sit for the exam.
Connecticut CPA Certification Education Requirements
Having met the basic requirements, CPA candidates must meet strict education requirements to be eligible to sit for the formal CPA exam. Candidates eyeing CPA certification must complete 150 semester hours of education, including a bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree must have a high concentration in accounting.
Among the 150-hours, candidates must have accumulated 36 hours in accounting and 30 hours in business administration, and 60 hours in UN general education.
Likewise, prospective candidates must prove at least 33 semester hours in accounting at the upper-division undergraduate or graduate level. The minimum requirements in each of the subjects are tabulated below
- Financial Accounting 9 hours
- Auditing 6 hours
- Taxation 6 hours
- Management Accounting 3 hours
- Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting 3 hours
- Accounting Electives 6 hours
Required Credit Hours & Classes
Other education requirements that CPA candidates must prove to include:
- At least one business law course
- At least one economics course
- At least one finance course
International students looking to be certified as CPA must have their academic credentials certified. The education credentials must be evaluated by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Make sure to contact the CT State Board of Accountancy to check if your education is acceptable to meet the Connecticut CPA requirements before you apply to take the exam.
Connecticut CPA Exam Requirements
Upon meeting the minimum CPA education requirements, the next step is to sit for the CPA exam. Prospective candidates must apply to take the Uniform CPA exam through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Once your application is approved by NASBA, you will need to start studying. Most guides for the CPA exam estimate that CPA candidates should study at least 100 hours for each section. That equates to about 300-400 hours of study time for the entire exam.
The CPA Exam comprises of four tests taken at separate times. Candidates must pass the exam with a minimum score of 75 to stand any chance of becoming CPA’s in Connecticut. Application for the CPA exam must be done through the CPA Examination Services CPAES.
For the CPA examination application to be successful, candidates must:
- Submit certified college transcripts to CPAES
- Submit any request for disability testing accommodations
- Include signed application form
- Pay the examination and application fees
CT CPA Exam Costs & Fees
The cost to take all the four CPA exam section in Connecticut amounts to $743 plus an additional $135 application fee. For students retaking the CPA exam, they must pay the re-examination fee and the fee for their retaking sector.
The CPA exam fees vary depending on the section one is taking.
- 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: $135
Candidates should only pay for the exam sections they intend to take within six months.
Connecticut CPA License Requirements
Passing the CPA exam is only part of the CPA licensing process in the state of Connecticut.
Here are the CPA license requirements in the state of Connecticut:
- A Bachelor’s Degree Majoring in Accountancy with 150 semester hours
- Pass all the four CPA section exam sections
- Pass the CPA ethics exam
- 2-years accountancy experience supervised by an active CPA licensee
- Pay the $75 annual fee for a permit of practice
- Submit all the required paperwork
After you pass the CPA exam, you will need to take the AICPA ethics exam and fulfill your work experience requirements.
AICPA Ethics Exam
In addition to taking the CPA exam, prospective CPAs are advised to take the AICPA professional ethics exam. A score of more than 90% in the ethics exam is considered a pass, positioning one on the right path to obtaining a CPA license in Connecticut.
Work Experience Requirements
The Connecticut State Board of Accountancy requires a CPA perspective to fulfill work experience to secure the much sought after CPA certificate and license. The experience can be paid volunteer or internship and supervised by a licensed CPA holder.
Two years of full-time work experience in accounting is a must for certification. The experience can be obtained in public or private practice. The work experience should include reviewing, evaluating, and testing internal control policies, planning to revise and updating audit programs, and performing verification procedures on accounts.
Connecticut CPA License vs Certificate Requirements
In Connecticut, CPA candidates can opt to receive only a CPA certificate rather than the full license. However, prospective public accountants who wish to have credentials for signing off financial matters must obtain a CPA license.
While CPA certificate holders can use the CPA designation in resumes, business cards, and other non-binding documents, they cannot sign off on any financial matters. CPA certificate holders also do not have to comply with the annual CPE requirements that licensed CPA do.
Connecticut CPA License Application & Renewal
It takes three to six weeks for the Connecticut CPA board to process CPA license applications. Approved applications are normally sent via mail with the CPA certificate and a second mail with the CPA license.
CPA license holders are required to renew their licenses annually by December 31. Holders must prove 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during each year to successfully renew their CPA license.
CPA certificate holders also have to renew their credential each year by December 31. They, however, are not required to perform any CPE throughout the year.
Connecticut CPA Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certified Public Accountants earn an average salary of $83,000 a year in Connecticut. CPAs in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk area take as much as $92,000, depending on their level of experience.
Certified and licensed CPA professionals can work in diverse fields in the constitutional state. The state offers exciting employment opportunities in the private and public sector supported by more than 700 CPA firms.
Additional Connecticut CPA Resources
Here are several resources you can use to learn how to take the CPA exam in Connecticut and become a certified public accountant.