How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

The accounting profession plays an essential role in the financial health of businesses across the globe, and the demand for qualified experts remains strong. In fact, accountants and auditors held approximately 1.6 million jobs in 2024, with the field projected to experience 5% employment growth through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.¹ If you are considering entering this lucrative and stable field, you are likely wondering, “How long does it take to become an accountant?”

This post will cover everything you need to know, including educational timelines, certification requirements and the difficulty of entering the field.

How Many Years Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

The answer to how long it takes to become an accountant largely depends on your ultimate career goals and desired level of certification. Generally, the standard timeline is four to five years of full-time study. For those seeking entry-level positions, a four-year undergraduate program is usually sufficient. However, if you plan to become a licensed CPA, you should expect to spend about five years completing your education. The following breakdown outlines how many years aspiring accounting professionals typically need at various stages of their educational journey.

Bachelor’s Degree Timeline

The standard educational requirement for many accounting and auditing roles is a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years of full-time study to complete.¹ This program, often around 120 credits, provides the foundational knowledge required for staff accounting positions. While a bachelor’s degree makes you highly employable, it is worth noting that more than 70% of accountant and auditor roles also require prior work experience or on-the-job training, according to BLS data.²

Master’s Degree and CPA Timeline

For those wondering how many years it takes to become an accountant with a CPA license, the timeline extends to roughly five years. In many states, boards require candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to obtain full licensure.³ Note that credit systems differ (some states use quarter-hour equivalencies), so candidates should verify their specific state board requirements. Because a standard bachelor’s degree typically accounts for around 120 credits, students frequently pursue a master’s degree to bridge the gap. Earning a master’s degree typically takes an additional one to two years, though some accelerated online programs allow you to become career-ready and prepare for the CPA exam in as little as 12 months.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Understanding the full timeline to becoming an accountant with the prestigious CPA designation means factoring in the comprehensive process of licensure. The framework is commonly summarized as the “3 Es”—education (meeting credit-hour requirements), exam (passing the Uniform CPA Examination), and experience (gaining verified work in the field)—with an added ethics requirement, such as an ethics exam or ethics course, depending on the state, in many jurisdictions.⁴

First, you must meet your state’s educational requirements, which usually involve the 150-credit-hour standard.³ After completing your degree, you must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, a rigorous, multi-section exam covering core areas like auditing, financial accounting and taxation, plus a discipline section of the candidate’s choosing in business analysis, information systems, or tax compliance.⁵ Finally, most jurisdictions require one to two years of verified, relevant professional experience before officially granting a license.³ Preparing for and passing the exam, coupled with the experience requirement, means it can take a few years post-graduation to become a fully licensed CPA. Note that exact CPA requirements vary by state, and candidates should consult their state board or NASBA for specific guidelines.

How Hard Is It to Become an Accountant?

Beyond the time commitment, prospective students often ask how hard it is to become an accountant. The field requires substantial analytical ability and regulatory knowledge, spanning areas such as auditing standards, tax law and financial accounting. Research published in ScienceDirect suggests that strong analytical skills are closely tied to successful performance in accounting coursework, such as data analytics assignments.⁶

The difficulty of the CPA exam is another major factor. According to data reported by Wiley Efficient Learning based on AICPA score release information, the per-section pass rate for CPA exam sections has historically averaged around 50%, meaning that passing requires sustained, dedicated preparation.⁷ According to Wiley Efficient Learning, candidates may need roughly 550 total hours of study to adequately prepare for all sections of the exam, though recommendations vary by candidate background and experience.⁸

Educational Pathways to the Accounting Profession

Your chosen educational pathway has a significant impact on your long-term career trajectory. While entering the field with a bachelor’s degree is common, advancing with a master’s degree can open doors to roles such as audit manager, tax director or controller, and may lead to higher earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $83,980 in May 2024.⁹ Professionals who earn a CPA license often command higher salaries due to their advanced credentials and expanded scope of practice.

Choosing to advance your career with a master’s program can help you build advanced analytical and strategic skills. Employers actively seek out professionals with the specialized knowledge taught in a master’s program, which may support your progression.

Accelerate Your Career With an Online Master’s in Accountancy From DePaul University

The journey to becoming an accountant requires dedication, rigorous study and a strategic approach to your education. Whether you are exploring how long it takes to become an accountant or how to seamlessly transition into this stable, high-paying field, the right degree program can make all the difference.

DePaul University’s Online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) is designed for highly motivated career changers. Applicants are not required to have an undergraduate accounting major to enroll, and you can complete the 48-quarter-credit-hour program entirely online. In addition to expert faculty and a comprehensive curriculum, the program is designed to help prepare you for the CPA exam in as little as 12 months, allowing you to accelerate your professional development on a flexible timeline.

Explore additional program details and learn how you can elevate your accounting career. Review the admissions requirements and contact us with any questions.