Educational Requirements
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides CPA licensing services for the NH Board of Accountancy. Educational requirements to become certified in New Hampshire include having a bachelor’s degree, completing 120 semester hours of education, with 12 hours each in Accounting and Business.
Salary
The average annual wage of accountants and auditors in New Hampshire is $66,230, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to a national mean annual wage of $70,130. About 3,730 accountants and auditors are employed in the state, with a statewide concentration lower than the national average. Employment for accountants across the U.S. is expected to grow into 2020, with the greatest prospects going to CPAs and other accountants with professional recognitions.
CPA Licensing in New Hampshire
To become certified as a public accountant in New Hampshire, you must have fulfilled the education requirements, passed the Uniform CPA Exam, paid the fees (generally $150), and meet the experience requirements. If you have a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience in public accounting is required; if you have a master’s degree, one year of experience is required.
The educational requirements to apply for a CPA license are as follow:
- Earned a bachelor’s degree
- Completed 120 semester hours
- Completed 12 semester hours in Accounting
- Completed 12 semester hours in Business
Continuing Education Requirements
Licenses must be renewed every three years, and 120 hours of continuing professional education are required within each three-year period. Four hours of ethics must be included in the 120 hours. Among the options for CPE classes are those offered by state CPA societies, such as the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants and the New Hampshire Society of Accountants.
Accounting Jobs in New Hampshire
The real estate industry contributes the most to the New Hampshire economy and can be a profitable specialization for accountants in the state. Some options include becoming a property accountant, who track the financial state of a certain property, or a real estate accountant, who work closely with real estate investors and must understand changes in tax law and the market. The manufacturing industry also provides many opportunities for New Hampshire CPAs.