Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Illinois 2025

The accounting profession opens many career options in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Accountants prepare financial statements, perform auditing tasks, and help large companies manage complex budgets. While the education process may be rigorous, we can help you find the fastest way to become an accountant. Illinois has specific requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), which we'll discuss in this article.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Illinois accountants analyze financial records, perform audits, improve tax compliance, offer financial advice, and perform other managerial accounting duties. They work for accounting firms, non-profit companies, small and large businesses, and directly with individual clients. Accountants also conduct forensic accounting, which uncovers fraud and financial discrepancies.

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

The fastest path to an accountancy career involves completing 150 credit hours of education, two years of work experience, and CPA licensing as fast as possible. You can complete 120 credit hours by completing a bachelor's degree, whereas the remaining 30 semester hours involve getting a graduate degree. It takes at least two years of accounting experience to qualify to sit for the CPA exam.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Illinois

The fastest way to become an accountant involves following certain steps to become an accountant, which explain the education requirements, CPA testing, and accounting work experience.

1. Get a Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree opens doors to entry-level jobs in accounting. This credential can give a future CPA the necessary work experience for certification later. Even just a Bachelor's in Accounting (BAcc) might qualify new accountants for lower-level jobs in finance, consulting, or tax preparation.

If you would like your degree to count toward CPA certification, it should include at least 30 hours of accounting credits and 12 semester hours of business courses.

2. Get Two Years of Work Experience

Illinois requires accountants to possess at least two years of relevant accounting experience before taking the CPA exam. The state may soon allow candidates to use this work experience to substitute for some of the semester-hour requirements. This would negate the need to pursue a master's degree to reach the required education (150 semester hours), but the change is still pending legislation in Illinois.

This work experience should involve accounting, taxation, consulting, and similar duties. Unlike other states, Illinois does not require CPA candidates to have their work verified by another CPA.

3. Pursue a Master's Degree

A master's degree helps accountants obtain their CPA certificate because Illinois requires 150 credit hours of accounting, whereas a bachelor's degree only accounts for 120 hours. You can also become a licensed CPA faster by exploring academic programs with accelerated degree programs.

The master's-level study delves into advanced accounting concepts such as financial reporting, auditing and attestation, and other topics that appear on the CPA exam.

4. Take the CPA Exam

The Uniform CPA Examination can be a tremendous hurdle if you do not prepare properly. That's why prospective accountants devote significant time and money to preparatory materials, which target specific exam sections. Many candidates also review courses to prepare for the Uniform CPA exam.

Prospective accountants should familiarize themselves with the exact CPA Exam requirements. The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) administers this test, consisting of four exam sections.

Three of the four sections are the same for all CPA candidates � auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, and taxation and regulation. Exam takers choose the fourth section from the following accounting areas:

• business analysis and reporting
• information systems and control
• tax compliance and planning

We recommend studying well for this difficult exam. According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), less than half of test takers achieve a passing score.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in Illinois

You can expedite the education process by enrolling in accelerated online accounting degrees. These help CPA candidates complete Illinois education requirements quicker, allowing them to begin their careers sooner.

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois offers an accelerated Master's of Accounting (MACC) degree, which you can take 100% online. Northern Illinois is one of only 4% of business schools to possess international accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) at all levels. Students receive a quality master's education with accounting courses like Accounting Information Systems, Principles of Taxation, and Advanced Issues in Taxation.

• Time to completion: Two years or less
• Tuition cost: $27,390 (full-time enrollment)
• Accreditation: AACSB

Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois has a master's program that is 100% online, which students can complete in as little as 10 months. It claims to be the only Illinois university offering an accredited online accounting master's, designed for CPA certification preparation. The accounting department also provides several paid internship opportunities to build valuable experience.

• Time to completion: 10 to 24 months (master's)
• Tuition cost: $16,156.50
• Accreditation: AACSB

DePaul University

DePaul allows students to finish school faster by enrolling in a ''combined degree program.'' This permits undergraduates to take 12 semester hours of master's degree credits while still completing their bachelor's degree. Those credits apply to both degrees simultaneously, allowing students to save time and money.

• Time to completion: Five years (bachelor's and master's together)
• Tuition cost: $1,146 per credit hour
• Accreditation: AACSB

FAQs About the Fastest Way to Become an Accountant in Illinois

The fastest way to become an accountant involves following those previous CPA licensing steps. We've also identified the following FAQs to help you further.

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

It costs less to become an accountant if you pursue your higher education coursework as an in-state resident rather than out-of-state. Most accounting degrees are less expensive with full-time enrollment compared to part-time.

The typical cost for an accounting education is about $37,000 at private institutions, but you can reduce the financial burden by attending public universities or choosing online programs. Many students offset the costs by pursuing accounting internships, fellowships, Pell grants, and other financial aid.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in Illinois?

Accounting degree holders play a substantial role in the Illinois business environment. They also earn jobs in local and state government jurisdictions. Accountants serve clients through financial advisory, assisting with tax compliance for large business payrolls, and other essential public practices.

CPAs command generous salaries for their services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Illinois accountants earned a median salary of $79,880 in 2023; that's the equivalent of $38.41 per hour.

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

Illinois CPAs must complete 150 hours of higher education in accounting, which they must fulfill with a bachelor's degree along with graduate education. This must include four hours of business ethics training and one hour of sexual harassment prevention training.

CPA licensure expires every three years, so CPA license holders must renew them at these intervals. Renewal requires 120 credit hours of continuing professional education (CPE) in accounting. Half of those 120 hours must be from verifiable programs, according to Illinois' CPE requirements.

Explore Accounting Degrees

Check out accounting degrees and other important accounting-related resources on Learn.org. Research financial aid, online degrees, accelerated degrees, and many other ways to become an accountant faster and affordably.