Alaska Pacific University |
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4101 University Dr (907) 561-1266 |
Institution Type:4-year, Private not-for-profit Accounting Degrees Offered:Accrediting Agency: |
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Charter College-Anchorage |
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2221 E Northern Lights Blvd Ste 120 (907) 277-1000 |
Institution Type:4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit Accounting Degrees Offered:Bachelor's in Business Management Accounting Accrediting Agency: |
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Ilisagvik College |
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Narl Facility (907) 852-3333 |
Institution Type:2-year, Public Accounting Degrees Offered:Accrediting Agency: |
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University of Alaska Anchorage |
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3211 Providence Drive (907) 786-1800 |
Institution Type:4-year, Public Accounting Degrees Offered:Associate and Bachelor's in Accounting Accrediting Agency: |
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University of Alaska Fairbanks |
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505 South Chandalar Drive (907) 474-7211 |
Institution Type:4-year, Public Accounting Degrees Offered:Accrediting Agency: |
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University of Alaska Southeast |
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11120 Glacier Highway (877) 465-4827 |
Institution Type:4-year, Public Accounting Degrees Offered:Bachelor's in Accounting, Certificate in Accounting Technician Accrediting Agency: |
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Educational Requirements
To become a CPA in Alaska, you’ll need to meet all of the educational requirements defined by the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination and be awarded licensure. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to take the exam, and a 150 semester hours of education with an accounting focus to be eligible for licensure.
Salary
According to the 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants made an annual mean wage of $70,700 working in Alaska. In the same year, accountants held 2,380 jobs throughout the state. The BLS states that experienced accountants, especially CPAs, will have the best job prospects in the coming years.
CPA Licensing in Alaska
Candidates must meet specific educational and/or work experience requirements to sign up for CPA exam and take it. First-time applicants must be of good moral character, and meet one of the following degree requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) and accounting concentration; completion of 24 semester hours in accounting, three hours in business law, three hours in economics, and three hours in college level math, statistics, and/or computer science.
- Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) and accounting concentration; completion of 15 semester hours in accounting.
- Within 18 semester hours of completing a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent); completion of 15 semester hours in accounting.
- Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent); completion of less than 15 semester hours in accounting, at least one year of public accounting experience under the direct supervision of a CPA.
To obtain CPA licensure in Alaska, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Pass all four sections of the CPA exam.
- Pass AICPA Professional Ethics Exam for initial licensure.
- Complete a total of 150 semester hours in postsecondary education.
Continuing Education Requirements
Alaska CPAs must renew their licenses on or before the expiration date, typically December 31 of odd-numbered years, to continue practicing public accountancy in Alaska. Those seeking CPA license renewal and reinstatement are required to complete 80 hours of approved continuing education within the two-year concluding licensing period, with a minimum of 20 hours completed within each year. At least four hours of the continuing education must cover Alaska-specific ethics, statutes, and regulations. See the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy for a list of board-accepted ethics courses.
Accounting Jobs in Alaska
Accountants in Alaska can find numerous jobs in the fields of finance and insurance, as well as tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services. In fact, Anchorage is home to several large accounting firms, such as KPMG, that have many exciting opportunities in international CPA and professional accounting services.