Ch6. CPA License & Career — Big 4 and Corporate Finance Paths

CPA License Requirements

Passing the exam is just the first step. A CPA license requires:

1. Pass all 4 CPA exam sections (score 75+ each)
2. 150 semester hours of education (most states)
3. 1–2 years of supervised work experience under a licensed CPA
4. AICPA Ethics Exam: pass the Professional Ethics course

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State License Comparison

State	Exam Eligibility	License Hours	Residency
California	120 credits	150 credits	None
New York	150 credits	150 credits	None
Texas	150 credits	150 credits	None
Montana	120 credits	150 for license	None
Alaska	15 accounting credits	150 for license	None

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Big 4 Career Ladder (US Market)

The Big 4: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG

Level	Experience	Typical Salary (US)
Associate/Staff	0–2 years	$60,000–$80,000
Senior Associate	2–5 years	$75,000–$100,000
Manager	5–8 years	$100,000–$130,000
Senior Manager/Director	8–12 years	$130,000–$180,000
Partner	12+ years	$200,000–$500,000+

Big 4 services: Audit, Tax, Advisory/Consulting

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Corporate Finance Career Paths

CPA is not limited to public accounting:

Role	Typical Experience	Salary Range
Financial Controller	5–10 years	$120,000–$180,000
VP Finance	10–15 years	$150,000–$250,000
CFO (mid-size company)	15+ years	$200,000–$500,000+
Internal Audit Director	8–15 years	$130,000–$200,000
FP&A Director	8–12 years	$120,000–$180,000

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Next: CPA vs. ACCA vs. CFA — a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right credential for your specific career goals.