What percentage of people pass CPA?
Asked by: Lila Bergstrom | Last update: October 31, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (63 votes)
About half of the individuals who take the
How common is it to fail a CPA Exam?
The overall pass rate of the CPA Exam hovers around 50%, but how many people manage to pass all four sections—including three core and one discipline—on the first try? About 20%. Around 1 in 2 people will pass a specific section of the exam, and about 1 in 5 people will pass each section on their first try.
Is the CPA the hardest test to pass?
Is the CPA exam the hardest professional exam? The CPA Exam is considered one of the hardest professional exams because of the amount of information it covers and how long it is (16 hours divided between 4 exam sections).
What percent of accountants get their CPA?
What Percentage of Accountants are CPAs? The percentage of accountants with CPA credentials in the United States is about 30% to 45%.
Do all CPAs make 6 figures?
A CPA's salary usually reaches the high five figures while senior CPAs in management can earn a six-figure salary.
How I Passed The CPA Exam & Is The CPA Worth It?
At what age do most CPAs retire?
When a generation of talented professionals with specific expertise retires, it can represent a risk to public safety if there are not sufficient knowledgeable trained professionals to replace them. Mandatory retirement ages are common at U.S. CPA firms; the average is between 64 and 65.
Is the CPA harder than the bar?
The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.
Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA Exam?
Any score of 75 or above on the scaled score of 0 to 99 is considered passing. Has anyone gotten a 100 on the CPA exam? It is highly unlikely for anyone to score a 100 on the CPA exam.
How many times can I fail the CPA?
Unlimited Retakes: You can retake the CPA exam sections as many times as needed. However, you must pass all sections within 18 to 30 months after passing the first section.
Is the CPA harder than the MCAT?
The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.
What percentage of CPAs have a master's degree?
Nearly 90 percent of all new hires at CPA firms hold a master's in accounting degree. Almost 23 percent of new hires in CPA firms are assigned to the tax department.
How many people pass CPA on first try?
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%.
What is the average age to pass the CPA exam?
Benefits of taking the CPA Exam later in your career
While the average CPA Exam candidate is just 29 years old,3 there are no age limitations on who can become a CPA. In fact, if you're mature in your career, there are many benefits of earning your CPA license later in your career.
What college has the highest CPA pass rate?
- University of Pennsylvania: 90.9%
- Rice University: 90.8%
- University of Texas – Austin: 89.5%
- Brigham Young University: 89.4%
- Wake Forest University: 88.8%
Is CPA or CFA harder?
CFA vs CPA Exam difficulty
Both are challenging and require gaining skills and knowledge in complex topics. However, the CPA Exam generally requires less studying - around 80 to 120 hours per section compared to 300 hours per section of the CFA Exam, and the CPA Exam also has a higher pass rate.
Is being a CPA impressive?
Becoming certified is a lot like getting a law license. It's proof that you've mastered the vital elements of your profession through years of academic and technical training. As a CPA, you'll also have access to jobs with higher authority and responsibility — and you'll enjoy greater career stability.
Is the CPA curved?
Is the CPA Exam Graded On A Curve? The CPA Examination is not curved.
How long does it take the average person to pass the CPA exam?
How long does it take to pass the CPA Exam? The average CPA candidate may need 6-12 months to pass the entire CPA Exam. This could vary depending on: How familiar you are with the material.
Do CPAs make more than lawyers?
Key Differences. Overall, lawyers can expect to earn a median salary of about $145,760, according to 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. 5 Half earn more than that, and half earn less. Comparatively, accountants earn a median salary of just $79,880.
What's the hardest license to get?
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.
What is the hardest CPA subject?
Among the three core sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest, and it typically has the lowest pass rate. AUD and REG tend to be middle of the road.
Why are so many CPAs quitting?
The alarming trend of accountants leaving their profession in droves is a complex issue with multiple underlying factors. Accountants face numerous challenges, from increasing workloads and stress levels to technological advancements and changing job expectations.
Are CPAs still in demand?
Job Security
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants is projected to grow 6 percent each year through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.