CPA in Iowa

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

Median annual salary

$74,290

trending_down -9.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Iowa.

engineering

13,970

Jobs (IA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Iowa

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Iowa, you must meet the requirements set by the Iowa Accountancy Examining Board. This generally includes completing 150 semester hours of education with a bachelor's degree, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and gaining one year (2,000 hours) of supervised accounting experience. An ethics exam, the AICPA's Comprehensive Course, is also required. Effective July 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure will be available, including a 120-semester hour option with two years of experience. Iowa also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,300

25th percentile $60,600

50th (median) $74,290

75th percentile $93,450

90th (experienced) $121,940

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

checklist Iowa requirements

Licensing body	Iowa Accountancy Examining Board
State license	Required
Education	150 semester hours including a bachelor's degree, OR (effective July 1, 2026) a bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours and 2 years of experience, OR a master's degree with 1 year of experience, OR a bachelor's degree with 30 additional college hours and 1 year of experience.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,463)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 years old. Must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam. Social Security Number required. No US citizenship or in-state residency required. Effective July 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure will be available, including a 120-semester hour option with two years of experience.

Source: Iowa Accountancy Examining Board

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 ÷ $74,290 median salary

check_circleIowa 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 Iowa? expand_more

Iowa requires cpas to complete the required education (150 semester hours including a bachelor's degree, OR (effective July 1, 2026) a bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours and 2 years of experience, OR a master's degree with 1 year of experience, OR a bachelor's degree with 30 additional college hours and 1 year of experience.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Does Iowa require cpa licensure? expand_more

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

What is the average cpa salary in Iowa? expand_more

cpas in Iowa earn a median of $74,290 annually. That's 9% below the national median of $81,680. New cpas start around $48,300; seasoned professionals can reach $121,940.

How much does it cost to become a cpa in Iowa? expand_more

Plan on spending $1,200 total — that covers exam fee ($1,463) and application fee ($100) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a cpa in Iowa? expand_more

In Iowa, becoming a cpa generally takes 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

Yes — cpas in Iowa must complete 120.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.