CPA in Georgia

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

Median annual salary

$80,100

trending_down -1.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering

45,000

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (can vary based on education pathway and experience)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Georgia

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Georgia, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience. As of January 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure offer flexibility in education and experience. Georgia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states, provided they meet Georgia's educational standards and hold an active license.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,140

25th percentile $62,230

50th (median) $80,100

75th percentile $105,600

90th (experienced) $140,640

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

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing body	Georgia State Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 30 semester hours in accounting above the elementary level and 24 semester hours in business-related subjects. (Note: As of January 1, 2026, alternative pathways include a Master's degree in accounting or taxation, or a Bachelor's degree in accounting.)
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,051)
Application fee	$140
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 18 years old. U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency/qualified alien status required. No ethics exam is required for licensure, but 4 hours of ethics CPE (including 1 hour specific to Georgia Board laws) are required for renewal. Experience must be verified by a licensed CPA and completed within one year preceding the application date. As of January 1, 2026, experience requirements vary based on education pathway: 1 year (2,000 hours) for 150 semester hours or Master's degree, or 2 years (4,000 hours) for a Bachelor's degree in accounting.

Source: Georgia 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 ÷ $80,100 median salary

check_circleGeorgia 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

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in Georgia? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Georgia: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 30 semester hours in accounting above the elementary level and 24 semester hours in business-related subjects. (Note: As of January 1, 2026, alternative pathways include a Master's degree in accounting or taxation, or a Bachelor's degree in accounting.)), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($140 fee).

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

You cannot practice as a cpa in Georgia without a state license from Georgia State Board of Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in Georgia? expand_more

Georgia cpas bring home a median salary of $80,100. That's roughly in line with the $81,680 national median. Wages range from $48,140 (10th percentile) up to $140,640 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a cpa in Georgia? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,051) and application fee ($140). The estimated total investment is $1,200, including education and training.

How many months or years does cpa certification take in Georgia? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (can vary based on education pathway and experience) from start to finish in Georgia — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for cpas in Georgia? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Georgia must complete 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.