CPA in Arizona

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$78,620

trending_down -3.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.

engineering

26,030

Jobs (AZ)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for education, plus experience and exam)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Arizona

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arizona, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. This includes completing 150 semester hours of college education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and gaining 2,000 hours of accounting experience. Additionally, applicants must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher and be at least 18 years old. Arizona also offers reciprocity for licensed CPAs from other jurisdictions that have substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $52,130

25th percentile $62,250

50th (median) $78,620

75th percentile $102,120

90th (experienced) $125,990

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arizona requirements

Licensing body	Arizona State Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 36 semester hours in accounting (30 of which must be upper-level) and 30 semester hours in related business courses.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,100)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid Social Security number. A passing score of 90% or better on the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam is required within two years immediately preceding the application for certification. Five letters of recommendation are also required.

Source: Arizona State Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,200 investment ÷ $78,620 median salary

check_circleArizona license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a cpa in Arizona? expand_more

Arizona requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 36 semester hours in accounting (30 of which must be upper-level) and 30 semester hours in related business courses.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in Arizona? expand_more

Yes, Arizona requires a state license to practice as a cpa. The licensing body is Arizona State Board of Accountancy. You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in Arizona? expand_more

The median cpa salary in Arizona is $78,620 per year. That's roughly in line with the $81,680 national median. New cpas start around $52,130; seasoned professionals can reach $125,990.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in Arizona? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,100) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is $1,200, including education and training.

How quickly can I become a cpa in Arizona? expand_more

The typical timeline in Arizona is Varies (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for education, plus experience and exam). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Arizona require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

Arizona requires 80.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your cpa license.