Why is becoming a CPA so hard?
Asked by: Travis Monahan | Last update: November 15, 2023Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)
Ultimately, it isn't any one topic or section that makes the CPA Exam difficult—it's the sheer scope of the exam in its entirety. The CPA Exam has 18 content areas divided into four sections. Within those content areas are almost 600 representative tasks.
Why is being a CPA so hard?
Breadth of Material
That's one of the main reasons why the CPA Exam is so difficult—and there's no way to cut that down. It makes efficiency crucial when studying so you can get through all the material and truly understand it and be able to apply it later.
Is CPA Exam really that hard?
The CPA exam is a four-part, in-depth assessment of proficiency in all requirements for public accountancy. It is considered one of the most challenging professional exams on the planet. When the national pass rate is roughly 50%, you know it can't be an easy exam. Hundreds of hours of study time will be necessary.
How hard is CPA for an average student?
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%.
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.”
Why Are the CPA Exams So Hard? (3 Things)
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.
Is passing the CPA impressive?
A CPA designation is commonly recognized as difficult to achieve, making the certification even more impressive when earned.
How many people pass CPA on first try?
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%.
Is it common to fail the CPA exam?
Just know that you're not alone—the CPA Exam is hard. The CPA Exam has a pass rate of around 50%. So, though millions of candidates have passed the CPA Exam, many first faced failure along the way. Remember, not passing the CPA Exam doesn't mean you can't do this.
How many people fail the CPA exam?
The average CPA exam pass rate is around 50%.
What is the average age to pass the CPA exam?
CPA Exam Rate by Age
As per the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the average age of qualified candidates in 2016 was 28.9 years at one of the examinations. In 2015, a NASBA report observed that the mean age of successful candidates was 29, with the median age being 25 years.
What is the hardest CPA part?
Now that you know what types of questions are asked in the CPA exam, let's get into the 4 exam sections. Out of the 4 sections, FAR has a reputation for being the most difficult. It also has the lowest pass rate. BEC, on the other hand, is usually considered the easiest section.
What is the hardest topic on the CPA exam?
In many ways, the BEC section of the CPA Exam is the hardest section for candidates. While many exam students have education and experience in the areas of financial accounting, audit and tax, BEC covers content that some students may not have much exposure.
Can CPAs get rich?
CPA Salary Ranges
However, according to the Accounting Institute for Success, top-level CPAs can earn upwards of $150,000. 13 And the experience and education it takes to become a CPA can lead to other job opportunities, like becoming a company comptroller or certified financial officer.
How stressful is a CPA job?
The long-term success of CPA firms is tied to accommodating client needs. Doing so often means CPAs must work long and strenuous hours. The compressed busy season in public accounting can be especially difficult, as accountants can find themselves working very long hours for weeks on end under stressful situations.
How to pass CPA easily?
- Determine your why. ...
- Set your desired timeline. ...
- Determine a study schedule that works for you. ...
- Get a review course. ...
- Get a CPA mentor/coach or join a CPA study group. ...
- Stick to your study patterns. ...
- Limit the distractions during your study hours.
Why do so many people fail the CPA?
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 74 on the CPA Exam?
Your 74 on the CPA Exam does not mean you were one point away from passing. Instead, your 74 means once they determined you failed, they compared your score with other people that failed and determine you performed better than them but still failed.
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.
What is the lowest CPA pass rate?
Visit our BEC CPA exam guide for more information and tips! FAR: While we saw a slight increase from Q1'22 to Q2'22, that was short lived as the pass rate dropped below 45% on average for 2022. With a pass rate of 44.3% in Q3'22, FAR continues to have the lowest pass rate.
Which part of the CPA exam is easiest?
Either way, BEC is considered the easiest part of the CPA exam because it has the highest pass rate. The AICPA highlights one reason BEC is higher is because it is the section most commonly taken last, giving students more experience with test-taking after taking other sections.
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.
Does GPA matter for CPA?
Is There a GPA Requirement for CPA? No, there is no GPA requirement to take the CPA exam or get your CPA license—you just need to meet the education requirements and obtain a 4-year degree plus additional credit hours. However, if you have dreams of working for The Big 4, you'll want to maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher.
What is the day in the life of a CPA?
A CPA's average day may be predictable and based on the monthly accounting cycle, depending on the workplace, or it may be packed with auditing tasks every day. The majority of a CPA's work is dependent on the specific office and role. For instance, the duties could include consulting, tax, and management services.
Are CPAs in demand?
Overall, the 2022 study found that although the current CPA shortage is expected to ease moderately over the next five years, the labour market is expected to remain tight, which means ongoing challenges for employers.