Are fewer people taking CPA exam?

Asked by: Emilie Larson  |  Last update: September 2, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

The number of candidates who took the Uniform CPA Examination in 2022 was about 67,000, down from 72,000 in 2021. The number of CPA candidates who took the Uniform CPA Examination in 2022 was about 7% lower than the previous year, the Financial Times reported on May 28.

Are CPAs in decline?

Yes, CPA numbers are dropping. Yes, the accounting profession has a reputation issue. And yes, these can both be turned around quickly. We — collectively — need the best and brightest to enter the profession, and add the value that lies latent within these talents.

Why are CPAs quitting?

According to a survey by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), burnout is the number-one reason accountants quit their jobs.

Is CPA exam getting harder?

2017 brought some big changes to the CPA Exam, increasing difficulty with the inclusion of Evaluation and Analysis. The BEC and REG sections have each been increased by an hour, making all sections of the CPA Exam four hours in length.

How many people never pass CPA exam?

About half of the individuals who take the CPA Exam don't pass on their first attempt. According to the AICPA, the national average pass rate is 45-55%. Cumulative pass rates reported by the AICPA for the calendar year 2021 show that FAR had the lowest pass rate at 44.54% and BEC had the highest pass rate at 61.94%.

Why You Should Take the CPA Exam.

29 related questions found

Why do so many people fail CPA exams?

Studying Inefficiently (Or Studying the Wrong Material)

Candidates who have disciplined study plans are more likely to pass the exam the first time around! Another common mistake that candidates make is not researching what specific concepts will be tested on the exam.

What is the most failed CPA exam?

Often considered the most difficult exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has had the lowest passing scores of the four exams.

Will 2024 CPA be harder?

Basically, the CPA Evolution initiative means that the CPA Exam will change by January 2024. And since you will need to demonstrate your skills in the core content areas plus a sub-discipline, the CPA Exam could become much more challenging.

Will CPA Exam be harder in 2024?

It is likely that the 2024 FAR core will be less difficult and contain less content than the 2022 or 2023 FAR exam you will take. The CPA Evolution Blueprint has moved some of the more difficult FAR topics (e.g., governmental accounting, derivatives, consolidation, etc.) into the BAR discipline track.

How many people fail CPA Exam first time?

You've probably heard quite a bit of intimidating details about how hard it is — it's long, it requires hundreds of hours of study time, it's so difficult that the average CPA Exam passing rate for first-time candidates is only 50%.

Are CPAs depressed?

The profession as a whole needs to talk more about mental health in general and depression in particular. Doing so would help remove the stigma and help CPAs who are suffering in silence know that they are not alone. The reality that CPAs get depressed and sometimes need help must become generally accepted.

What is the average age of a CPA?

Certified public accountant demographics research summary.

There are over 478,783 certified public accountants currently employed in the United States. 56.8% of all certified public accountants are women, while 43.2% are men. The average certified public accountant age is 43 years old.

Is CPA a stressful job?

On top of the heavy workload and stress brought on each tax season, accountants have had a particularly tough few years. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic upended work life for most Americans, but accountants had to deal with a bundle of unique challenges.

How old are most CPAs?

The average age of CPAs in the US is now 43, and trending older each year.

What percentage of CPAs will retire?

Statistics from the AICPA suggest that 75 percent of current CPAs will retire in the next 15 years, leaving a huge vacuum in the industry.

Will CPAs be replaced?

But the general consensus is that while AI will certainly change how accountants do their jobs, it will not replace accountants. Simply put, AI is designed to enhance human capability, not replace it.

What is the busiest time of year for CPA?

Busy season for accountants generally takes place during the first quarter of each year (i.e., January 1 – March 31). During this period, you may have a time that's busier than others, depending on your field of accounting.

Is the CPA Exam curved?

Scores are not curved. When you fail an Exam section, you'll also receive a Candidate Performance Report that assesses your performance on that specific section. CPA Exam scoring is treated with a high level of importance, due diligence, and attention to accuracy.

What is the hardest to easiest CPA Exam?

FAR had the lowest pass rates, while BEC had the highest. AUD had the second-lowest pass rate, and REG had the second-highest pass rate. Therefore, the pass rates tell us that the hardest section of the CPA Exam is FAR, and the easiest section of the CPA Exam is BEC.

How is the youngest CPA to exist?

If you haven't heard, there's a new CPA in town. Her name is Belicia Cespedes and she was just 17 years old when she passed her CPA Exam. You read that right, 17. Which pretty much makes Belicia the world's youngest CPA.

What is changing in 2024 for CPA Exam?

The 2024 CPA Exam will place a new emphasis on testing data and technology concepts across all core sections and new disciplines. These include, but aren't limited to: Determining methods to transform data to make it useful for decision-making. Verifying the completeness and accuracy of source data.

Can a CPA become a millionaire?

Accountants don't usually become millionaires, but it is possible. Generally, to do that, you would need to either work your way up to CFO of a very large company, work your way up to partner of a large accounting firm, or open your own accounting firm and do very well over the years. It's not unheard of.

Is CPA harder than the bar?

Just look at the pass rates for first time exam takers. You passed the bar, but the CPA Exam will be much more difficult,” came the advice from my CPA friends. My attorney colleagues had this to say, “Well, after studying for and taking the Bar Exam, the CPA Exam will be a piece of cake for you.”

What's the easiest CPA exam?

So, we know that BEC is widely considered to be the easiest CPA exam, but where are the other CPA exam sections in order of difficulty? After BEC, the next easiest CPA exam is Regulation (REG). At 60.7%, it has a similar pass rate to BEC (based on the most recent cumulative results).

What is the easiest CPA exam to take first?

What is the easiest part of the CPA exam? BEC has the highest pass rate and is considered the easiest CPA exam section.