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Every CPA is indeed an accountant, but only some accountants are CPAs. There must be a reason for that. This fact could be attributed to how hard the CPA is to pass. The amount of time you must account for to prepare for the exam. If you can be an accountant without your CPA certification, why go for a CPA?

Some would argue that there is no need to get a CPA certification. Others would say that becoming a CPA is one of the best things you can do for your career. Here, we will discuss some pros and cons of becoming a CPA-certified accountant. 

Cons of CPA Certification

Before we discuss the pros of gaining a CPA certification, we will discuss why you might choose not to pursue a CPA certification. 

1. It Takes a Long Time

The amount of studying and classwork you will have to do to get your CPA is rather demanding, with some states requiring CPA hopefuls to have at least 150-semester credits before they can take the test. Considering that you will likely be working while studying for the CPA, you can see that it would be a stressful and busy time of your life. 

Once you get to the point where you can take the test, it becomes even more daunting. If you are wondering how to study for the CPA exam, the answer is this: a lot. Some experts have said that you need to study for upwards of 400 hours to have a chance at this test. You can see why: less than 50% of people who take the CPA exam pass. Fortunately, it is a four-part test, and you can retake each part individually if you fail. 

2. Long Hours

Once you have your CPA, you will have a credential that will make you quite valuable. Unfortunately, that could mean that you wind up being a very busy person. If you are the type who wants to work 40 hours a week maximum, then a CPA might not be for you (CPA-certified accountants can work for up to 65 hours a week.)

Pros of CPA Certification

Now that we’ve discussed some of the downsides of CPA certification, let’s look at why you should get your CPA certification. From public accounting benefits to the possibility of a higher financial accountant salary, there are some great reasons to take your accounting to the next level. 

1. Job Opportunities 

Once you have your CPA certification, you will have much more control over where and how you work. Because you are more in demand, you can pick and choose what kind of job you want. For example, if you wanted to be a public accountant, you could work as much or as little as you want while enjoying the benefits such as free vacations and a diverse mix of work and clientele. 

2. More Credibility

People in the accounting world know how hard it is to get a CPA, so when they see those three letters next to your name, they know what you did to get there. If you are the type of person who seeks recognition, you will certainly get it by receiving your certification. 

3. More Money

If credibility isn’t your thing, but money is, then we have good news for you. CPAs, on average, earn a decent amount more than accountants without CPA certification. This is because you have put in the time to take your profession to the next level. You’ve shown that you care about your job enough to spend the effort to study, and once you get through the rigamarole of schooling and exams, you’ll be rewarded on the other side. 

4. Job Security

This isn’t to say that you can find an accountant anywhere, but accountants without CPA certification are certainly easier to find than CPA-certified accountants. Once you have that certification, you will likely have a good job security level. Because you put in the work to become an expert in your field, you are not someone that your company will ever want to replace quickly. 

In the end, it all depends on what you want. If you are interested in CPA certification, check out Lackawanna College today!