CPA in Arkansas

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

Median annual salary

$64,180

trending_down -21.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.

engineering

7,710

Jobs (AR)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (1 year with 150 semester hours or graduate degree)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Arkansas

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arkansas, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing either one or two years of verified accounting experience, depending on their education level. Additionally, applicants must pass a criminal background check and an Arkansas Ethics Exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,670

25th percentile $50,300

50th (median) $64,180

75th percentile $89,170

90th (experienced) $118,730

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

checklist Arkansas requirements

Licensing body	Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,019)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must pass a criminal background check. If holding a bachelor's degree, two years of verified experience are required. If holding a bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours (150 total) or a graduate degree, one year of verified experience is required. There is no minimum age requirement. The license must be obtained within 3 years of passing the CPA Exam. An ethics exam is also required for licensure.

Source: Arkansas State Board of Public 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 ÷ $64,180 median salary

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

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a cpa in Arkansas? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Arkansas: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a cpa license required in Arkansas? expand_more

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

How much do cpas make in Arkansas? expand_more

The median cpa salary in Arkansas is $64,180 per year. — 21% under the $81,680 national average. Wages range from $41,670 (10th percentile) up to $118,730 (90th percentile).

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

Between exam fee ($1,019) and application fee ($50), expect to invest around $1,200 in total to get started.

How quickly can I become a cpa in Arkansas? expand_more

In Arkansas, becoming a cpa generally takes 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (1 year with 150 semester hours or graduate degree), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do cpas need in Arkansas? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Arkansas must complete 40.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.