Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Florida 2025

If you live in Florida and are interested in starting an accounting degree quickly, you may be wondering about the best way to pursue this career. You'd like to know: what is the fastest way to become an accountant in your state?

Keep reading as we explore this question in-depth below. We'll answer various questions you may have about becoming an accountant quickly and talk about some schools in Florida that offer fast accounting degree programs.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants are finance professionals tasked with collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting various types of financial information. They commonly work in accounting firms, government agencies, various business environments, and for individual clients. Their job duties may include:

• preparing and updating financial statements
• conducting risk analysis
• preparing tax returns
• providing financial guidance
• ensuring financial documents comply with relevant laws and regulations

Accountants often pursue specialized career paths in areas like financial accounting and reporting, forensic accounting, and auditing. They may also pursue extra education and work experience to become certified public accountants (CPA).

How Long Does It Take To Become an Accountant in Florida?

The minimum level of education for accountants in Florida is a bachelor's degree. You can pursue various entry-level careers in accounting with this degree, which typically takes about four years for full-time learners to complete.

If you want to pursue Florida CPA licensure or more advanced accounting careers, you'll likely need to earn a master's degree. This will take an additional one to two years in most cases.

Students are also strongly encouraged to gain work experience through internships or entry-level opportunities. They may choose to gain this experience while still in school or after graduating. To become a CPA, you'll need to meet specific experience requirements equivalent to one year of full-time work experience.

All told, the typical timeframe for becoming an accountant in Florida is four to seven years. You may also want to commit extra time to studying and preparing for the CPA exam.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Florida

You'll need to fulfill several steps to become an accountant. Below, we'll look at each of those steps and talk about how you can complete them quickly�sometimes in as little as one to three years.

1. Complete an Accelerated Degree Program

The fastest way to become an accountant is to complete your education quickly. You can do this by completing accelerated degree programs that allow you to study on a faster-than-average timeframe or transfer previously earned college credits to save time.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs can be completed in as little as one to three years; master's degrees require an additional year or less. Combined bachelor's and master's degrees, also known as 4+1 or 3+2 programs allow you to complete undergraduate and graduate coursework concurrently and earn both degrees in five years or less.

2. Pursue Internships While in College

Internships can benefit many accounting career paths, and students often have options to complete these experiences while still in school. Working an internship while working toward your degree can help you save time.

If you're planning to become a licensed CPA, you'll need to ensure any internship or professional opportunity you pursue meets licensing requirements. You'll need to gain the equivalent of a year of work experience in academia, government, an accounting firm, or a private industry. Check with an academic advisor at your school for guidance.

3. Look for Entry-Level Jobs

You can begin working as an accountant after obtaining your bachelor's degree, making it possible for you to get started within just a year or two. Working entry-level accounting jobs will help you gain hands-on experience and may be necessary if your plan is to become a CPA.

Aspiring CPAs are encouraged to consider working entry-level accounting jobs before or after earning their master's degrees; however, those looking for an accelerated path can complete both academic and experience requirements concurrently. This will take hard work and dedication but can pay off by helping you meet specific requirements for your accounting career quickly.

4. Earn a CPA License

You can take the CPA exam after completing 120 semester hours of education; however, CPA requirements for licensure state you must acquire 150 hours of education. You will also need to demonstrate that you meet experience requirements either before or after completing the exam, according to Florida Board of Accountancy (FBOA) requirements.

You will need to complete all four sections of the CPA exam within a 30-month period. Each section costs $362.54 to complete, and you'll also need to submit a $50 application fee when signing up for the exam. To earn your license more quickly, consider studying for the exams while still in school or gaining work experience and completing each exam section sooner rather than later.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in Florida

Pursuing fast accounting degrees can help you start your accounting career more quickly. Let's look at some top schools in Florida providing accelerated study options.

Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, provides various online and in-person business degrees. Students have several options to complete bachelor's and master's programs in accounting quickly.

One of the options is a three-year Bachelor of Science in accounting. Students hoping to pursue a master's degree can opt instead to enroll in either a four-year or a five-year bachelor's-to-master's program. All programs teach essential competencies through accounting and general business courses, preparing students to meet CPA eligibility requirements.

• Time to completion: three to five years
• Tuition cost: $532.50 to $816.67 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Florida Southern College

Florida Southern College is a public school offering flexible study options so focused students can complete their education quickly. Both bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting are available, and the programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The bachelor's program features flexible seven- and 14-week course sessions, multiple yearly start dates, and the ability for students to complete all coursework online and on their own schedules. The master's program prepares students for CPA licensure and can be completed in just one year.

• Time to completion: one to five years
• Tuition cost: $375 to $1,035 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

University of West Florida

The University of West Florida provides various accounting and business degrees for students from all backgrounds and career interests. One of the options available is an accelerated bachelor's to master's degree in business administration and accountancy.

Students can complete up to 12 graduate-level credit hours (including nine in the accounting specialization) while completing their undergraduate degree. Those pursuing this option can finish in five years or less. Those pursuing one degree or the other can complete them online through flexible coursework, potentially accelerating their graduation time to a year or less for a master's degree and one to three years for a bachelor's degree

• Time to completion: one to five years
• Tuition cost: $211.98 to $384.60 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

FAQs About the Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Florida

If you still have questions about professional education for accountants and CPA certification in Florida, keep reading. Below, we'll explore some commonly asked questions you may be curious about.

How Much Does It Cost To Become an Accountant in Florida?

Average tuition costs and other college expenses can vary widely depending on the school you attend and the level of degree you're seeking. In Florida, average tuition rates at public schools range from $6,000 to $15,000 per year for in-state students. Among the public and private schools featured in this article, tuition rates range from $211.98 to $1,035 per credit hour.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in Florida?

Accountants can pursue careers in cost accounting, general business, business law, auditing, financial advisory, and more. A few common job titles for those with an accounting degree include:

• financial analyst
• financial manager
• sales manager
• financial examiner
• bookkeeper

What Are the Education Requirements To Become a CPA in Florida?

You must meet several accounting standards to sit for the CPA examination in the state of Florida. Education requirements include:

• 120 semester hours of education (or 180 quarter hours)
• 24 semester hours of upper-division accounting courses (or 36 quarter hours)
• 24 semester hours of upper-division business courses (or 36 quarter hours)

Once you have met these requirements, you can apply for the exam through Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or through the Florida chapter of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

Explore Accounting Degrees

If you're ready to become an accountant in Florida, explore the colleges featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools today to learn more about their accelerated options and to choose the right program for you.