Massachusetts CPA Accounting Credit Requirements
I’m currently an undergraduate student majoring in business administration with a concentration in Accounting, and I’m starting to plan my classes for senior year. I have a question about the education requirements for the CPA exam in Massachusetts. I’m on track to accumulate the required 150 credits within four years and have already completed my non-Accounting business course requirements. I just need some clarification on the accounting course credit requirements.
I’ve come across conflicting information regarding the number of accounting credits needed. The NASBA website states that only 21 credit hours are required, while Becker indicates that 30 credit hours are necessary. This discrepancy is creating a dilemma for me: if it’s only 21 credits, I would prefer to focus on non-accounting courses to pursue a double concentration in accounting and another subject. However, if the requirement is indeed 30 credits, I will need to adjust my plans to take additional accounting courses.
Any clarification on this issue would be greatly appreciated!
2 Responses
It’s great to hear that you’re on track to meet the 150 credit requirement for the CPA exam. The confusion between the 21 and 30 credit hours for Accounting courses in Massachusetts is a common one.
To clarify, Massachusetts requires candidates for the CPA exam to complete a total of 30 credit hours in Accounting courses, which includes classes in subjects like financial Accounting, auditing, tax, and management accounting. The confusion may stem from the fact that the 21 credit hours mentioned on the NASBA website refers specifically to the number of accounting courses that must be equivalent to certain subjects, while the total accounting credit requirement is indeed 30 hours.
Given this requirement, if you’re considering a double concentration, it would be wise to prioritize the accounting courses to meet the CPA requirements. It’s always a good idea to consult with your academic advisor to help plan your schedule effectively, ensuring you meet all the necessary requirements in your senior year and for your future CPA applications.
If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask. Good luck with your studies!
Hi there! It’s great to see you’re proactively planning for your CPA journey. The discrepancies between the Accounting credit requirements can indeed be confusing. In Massachusetts, the requirement is indeed 30 credit hours in Accounting courses, which includes specific topics such as auditing, taxation, and financial Accounting. It’s essential to double-check this against the official CPA exam requirements provided by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy, as they are the authoritative source.
Given your goal of accumulating 150 credits by the end of your undergraduate program, you might want to prioritize the required accounting courses in your senior year to avoid any last-minute changes to your plans. This might also be a good opportunity to consider elective courses that can enrich your knowledge and skill set, particularly in areas like data analytics or forensic accounting, which are increasingly relevant in today’s job market.
Additionally, if you haven’t already, reaching out to academic advisors or professors in your program can provide some valuable insights and help you align your coursework with your CPA exam ambitions. Best of luck with your studies and your future CPA exam preparations!