Fastest Way To Become a Accountant in New Jersey 2025

Being an accountant in New Jersey is a rewarding occupation with various career paths ranging from auditing specialists to forensic accountants and more. The quickest way to become an accountant is to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting. Many accountants go on to earn their certified public accountant (CPA) license, allowing them more job opportunities and flexibility.

The requirements to become a certified CPA can be daunting, with a 150-hour requirement for college credits and a year of work experience needed before sitting the lengthy exam. However, attending one of the excellent universities listed below can meet those academic requirements and get you one step closer to becoming a CPA.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants and auditors examine and prepare financial records and plans for businesses and individuals. They process tax forms, complete audits, and complete risk analysis assessments.

Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) allows accountants more freedom to work with investors, managers, business owners, and others who are looking for financial guidance. It isn't a necessary license to have, and many accountants have fulfilling careers without one. However, it can allow you more freedom and job opportunities.

To become a CPA, you need to complete a bachelor's degree in accounting, gain work experience, and pass the Uniform CPA Examination. There may also be additional state licensure requirements.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Accountant in New Jersey?

There are a few important steps to become an accountant. In total, it can take between four and seven years to become an accountant in New Jersey.

Accountants must have a bachelor's degree. Most programs take approximately four years, though some accelerated options may allow you to earn your bachelor's degree sooner.

Earning your CPA license isn't required to become an accountant, but it can help open up more career opportunities. It requires one year of work experience under a licensed CPA, and then the exam itself.

The CPA exam is 16 hours and is taken in four stages. All four stages must be taken within 30 months of each other. Depending on the amount of time you take to complete the exam, you could add over two years to your licensure journey.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in New Jersey

The fastest way to become an accountant in New Jersey is to take the following steps:

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree From an Accredited Institution

The first step is to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. It doesn't matter if your degree is in accounting, as long as you have at least 24 credit hours in accounting and 24 credit hours in business.

While your bachelor's degree doesn't have to be focused on accounting or business, it helps if one of those options is your major. Choosing a degree program focused on accounting and/or business will help you meet the 24-credit-hour requirements without adding additional courses.

Online programs are viable and cost-effective options for students looking to lower their cost of attendance while still earning a quality education. Many institutions offer the same coursework online as they do in person.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs are also a great option for speeding up the process of becoming an accountant. Many institutions (including some of the options listed below) offer accelerated courses, which can expedite your learning and lower the cost of your tuition.

2. Complete One Year of Relevant Work Experience

This step is only necessary if you wish to sit for your CPA exam. The exam requires one year of relevant work experience under the guidance of a licensed CPA who earned their licensure in New Jersey or a state with equivalent licensure requirements.

Work experience requirements include auditing and financial accounting. Candidates for the CPA exam must submit a statement of experience detailing their work history, which should be verified by the licensed CPA with whom they worked.

3. Sit for the CPA Exam

The CPA exam is a rigorous and intensive exam offered in four parts, totaling 16 hours of material. Three sections are required:

• Auditing and Attestation
• Financial Accounting and Recording
• Taxation and Regulation

There are also three discipline sections for examinees to choose from, though only one must be completed:

• Business Analysis and Reporting
• Information Systems and Controls
• Tax Compliance and Planning

In total, the CPA exam requires four sections to be completed — the three required sections and one discipline section. Each section has between 50 and 85 multiple-choice questions and six to eight task-based simulations to prove your accounting prowess.

All four exam sections must be taken within 30 months. Once all sections are complete, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) scores the exam and sends the results to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The NASBA then sends the scores to the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy (NJSBA) for approval.

Finally, upon NJSBA approval, a CPA license can be granted.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in New Jersey

One of the fastest ways to become an accountant is to earn an accelerated online accounting degree. Coursework in accelerated programs is typically streamlined, allowing you to get the most out of your education in as few semesters as possible.

William Paterson University

William Paterson University offers an accelerated online Bachelor of Science in accounting with multiple start dates per year and lenient admissions requirements. Students will learn about financial accounting, taxation, auditing, management accounting, and more.

This degree program online requires 120 credit hours, so be sure to add an additional 30 if you plan to sit for your CPA exam in the future. There are minors in management, business administration, finance, and economics that can all supplement an accounting degree, helping students with job opportunities after graduation.

• Time to completion: Three to four years
• Tuition cost: $372 per credit
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Rutgers University

Rutgers University offers an online Master of Accountancy that is best for students with a bachelor's degree in business. There are two program options: accounting and analytics, and governmental accounting.

Both programs can be completed in just one year with only 30 credit hours required. Both programs also fulfill the NJ CPA exam requirements as long as students hold a bachelor's degree in accounting.

• Time to completion: One year
• Tuition cost: $15,576
• Accreditation: AACSB

Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University's online Master of Science in accounting is designed for students without a bachelor's degree in accounting. It meets all of the eligibility requirements (barring work experience) for students to sit for the CPA exam in New Jersey, New York, and a host of other states.

Students will study financial accounting, forensic accounting, government and non-profit accounting, and more.

• Time to completion: 12 to 20 months
• Tuition cost: $1,570 per credit
• Accreditation: AACSB

FAQs About the Fastest Way to Become an Accountant in New Jersey

Becoming an accountant in New Jersey can be a complicated task, with education requirements, work experience requirements, and the CPA exam to sit for at the end of it. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the fastest way to become an accountant in New Jersey.

How Much Does it Cost To Become an Accountant in New Jersey?

Many factors go into determining the cost to become an accountant in New Jersey.

Bachelor's degree tuition is typically the most expensive requirement, but choosing an accelerated or online program can help lower the total cost.

A master's degree can help you achieve an in-demand accounting job, but it can be expensive. Rutgers University offers an accelerated online master's degree for just over $15,000.

The CPA exam costs a little over $1,500 to take in its entirety. Each section costs $364, and there is an additional fee of $90 for the application.

Scholarships, online courses, and accelerated programs are all ways to reduce the total cost of earning your CPA license in New Jersey.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in New Jersey?

There are many career opportunities with an accounting degree, leading to careers at accounting firms, the IRS, the FBI, and more. Graduates with an accounting degree may work as credit analysts, actuaries, and auditors. Accountants can also specialize in taxes for both individuals and businesses, helping to properly fill out tax documents each year.

What Are the Education Requirements To Become a CPA in New Jersey?

The education requirements to earn your CPA licensure in New Jersey are:

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution
• 24 semester hours in business courses
• 24 semester hours in accounting courses
• At least 150 semester hours overall

However, your bachelor's degree can be in any field, not necessarily accounting or business.

Explore Accounting Degrees

Becoming a certified public accountant can open doors to numerous professional accounting careers, including forensic accounting, government accounting, tax specialization, and more. You can be an accountant without your CPA license, but going that extra step can help open up more job opportunities and career paths.

Finding the perfect accounting degree program to meet your state's licensure requirements can take time, but it can be made easier with the resources here on Learn.org. Explore the high-quality programs featured on our site to find the one that's right for you and start your career as an accountant.