Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Pennsylvania 2025

If you are someone who loves numbers and keeping things orderly, then a career as a certified public accountant (CPA) may be the perfect fit. CPAs can be found in almost every business or organization, assisting with financial planning, keeping detailed financial records, and ensuring that everything follows appropriate laws and regulations.

It may seem like a long path to becoming an accountant, but we will outline the fastest ways to become an accountant below. Before getting to work, you will need a bachelor's degree, at least a year of professional work experience, and to pass the CPA exam to receive your license. Often, the fastest way to become an accountant is by completing an accelerated online degree program. Keep reading to learn more.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants must be organized, detail-oriented, and analytical. They analyze and observe financial records, look for opportunities to grow or search out potential risks, and ensure financial records are accurately following the law. An accountant must be aware of potential risks and fraud, and they may also ensure taxes are paid properly.

An accountant may look for ways the company or organization can improve. What are the best ways to invest any financial assets, or spread those benefits across the company? Are there ways to reduce overhead costs or use gains more efficiently?

Every company or organization that turns a profit needs someone to help balance the books. An accountant may find herself working in any of the following roles:

• government accountant
• public accountant
• external or internal auditor
• IT auditor
• forensic accounting
• managerial accounting

Whatever your chosen field, before you can begin auditing, you must obtain your bachelor's degree and pass the CPA exam. Below are tips for the fastest way to become an accountant.

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

In Pennsylvania, there are essentially three steps to become an accountant. You must complete a bachelor's degree with 150 academic credit hours, you must complete at least 1,600 hours of work experience, and you must apply for CPA licensure. For comparison, the average bachelor's degree requires just 130 credit hours, so accounting students will need 20 extra hours of coursework.

However, due to rising demands for licensed CPAs, Pennsylvania proposed a bill in February 2025 that would eliminate the additional semester credit requirement, and instead roll that into work experience. If this bill passes, accounting students would complete their experience requirements in two years after graduation, instead of one.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Pennsylvania

If you are hoping to pursue a career as a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania, then you are doing to need to meet a few requirements. Take a look at the list below to see how you can streamline this process and get to work fast.

1. Complete Your Bachelor's Degree

Make sure you choose an accredited school or one that is recognized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. This will ensure your degree program adequately prepares you for the Pennsylvania CPA exam.

While you do not have to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, you will need at least 24 semester hours in any or all of the following:

• accounting
• auditing
• business law
• economics
• finance
• taxation
• technology subjects

You will also need 12 additional credits in auditing, taxation, or accounting courses. It takes a while to complete the required 150 credit hours, but you can expedite things with transfer credits and by taking a full-time course load.

2. Complete Work Experience Requirements

In Pennsylvania, prospective CPAs must complete one year (or 1,600 hours) of work experience before becoming licensed. You can complete these hours by working for the government, a private industry, academia, or a public practice.

As part of your 1,600 hours, you may be doing accounting work, or you may be doing attestation and compilation, financial or management advisory, or taxation and financial consulting. Your hours must be approved by a currently licensed CPA, and you must document it on the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy's verification of experience form.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to complete these hours more quickly. But again, working full-time to get as many hours as you can helps you complete the work in just one year.

3. Take the CPA Exam

When you have met all necessary licensing requirements, then you are ready to sit for the Uniform CPA examination. Contact the National Association of State Boards of Accounting (NASBA) to schedule your exam. There is an application fee of $65 for initial licensing and $100 for renewal.

There are four exam sections: three four-hour core sections in auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, and taxation and regulation, as well as one four-hour discipline section of your choosing.

You must score at least a 75 on each exam section. After you finish the exam, expect to receive your scores from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in a few weeks.

4. Consider Licensure by Reciprocity

If you have already been licensed to practice by another state, then you can receive a certificate as a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania without having to retake tests or meet additional requirements. This is a faster way to become a practicing CPA in Pennsylvania without needing additional CPA certification.

States must have similar requirements to those in Pennsylvania, and the individual must have active licensure, be in good standing, and have no discipline or criminal convictions.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in Pennsylvania

When you are ready to step into the world of professional accounting, you want to get to work quickly. There are several options for accelerated online accounting degrees. Take a look at three options below in Pennsylvania.

Temple University

Temple offers both online and accelerated accounting programs. Coursework will include tax subjects, data analytics, auditing techniques, and more that will prepare you for CPA exam requirements. Interested students can also complete their Master of Accountancy degree at Temple.

Focus your studies on accounting or pursue a specialization in data analytics. Students of the Fox School of Business will also have internship opportunities to help them connect with local accounting firms. You can complete your degree at Temple in just three years and be ready to get started on your required work hours.

• Time to completion: three years
• Tuition cost: $988 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

DeSales University

With rolling admissions and flexible application dates for this 100% online Bachelor of Science degree, it's easy to complete your accounting degree quickly at DeSales. It takes, on average, three to four years to complete the 120 credit hours for this program. Faculty are experts in their fields and will help you not only grow your skills but make business connections as well.

Courses will include topics like federal income taxation, strategic cost management, and the legal environment. Students can also specialize in forensic accounting or data analytics. Graduates of this program will be ready to pursue their CPA license.

• Time to completion: three to four years
• Tuition cost: $575 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Penn State World Campus

Penn State's online accounting degree is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online programs. It is designed for CPA candidates who want a high-quality but flexible education. Courses will include accounting information systems, business ethics, working with federal income taxes, and many others.

Financial aid is available, and additional benefits are available to members of the military and their families.

• Time to completion: four years
• Tuition cost: $678 per credit hour
• Accreditation: AACSB

FAQs About the Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Pennsylvania

If you still aren't quite sure about what it takes to become an accountant in Pennsylvania, then take a look at some frequently asked questions and answers below.

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

An accountant will need a bachelor's degree, one year of work experience, and to pass the CPA exam. Program costs vary, but Pennsylvania Western University and Slippery Rock University offer two of the cheapest accounting degrees at just $322 per credit hour.

The CPA exam also has a $65 application fee for initial licensing and $100 for renewal. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an accountant makes almost $80,000 per year on average. So for many, upfront costs will balance out once you finish school, get licensed, and get to work.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in Pennsylvania?

There are many career paths for an accountant. You may find yourself working for a nonprofit as a public accountant, or providing financial planning and preparing tax returns for individuals. An accountant may work for the government, maintaining records and ensuring federal, local, and state governments are following proper rules and regulations.

A management accountant may work for a business, preparing budgets and evaluating costs and performance. A forensic accountant searches for evidence of fraud or embezzlement. Generally, an accounting degree will give you specialization options that will guide you into your future career.

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

In Pennsylvania, a CPA must have a bachelor's or master's degree with 150 completed credit hours. They must have finished one year of work experience with their time documented and approved by a licensed CPA, and they must score a 75 or higher on each section of the CPA exam.

A CPA will also need to follow continuing professional education requirements, to ensure they are up to date on all laws and procedures related to their work.

Explore Accounting Degrees

If you are someone who is highly focused and analytical, then a career in accounting may be perfect for you. Several of the featured schools on Learn.org offer accounting degree programs. Reach out to one today to discuss your educational and career goals.