Educational Requirements
The New York State Board for Public Accountancy licenses CPAs in the state and lays out the educational requirements. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accounting program approved by the State Education Department or accredited by an approved accrediting agency and must have completed 150 semester hours of education, with the required number in accounting and general business.
Salary
The average annual salary of accountants in New York is $85,070, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to a national average of $70,130. This makes it the second-highest-paying state in the country. New York also has the second-highest employment level for accountants in the country, with 92,630 employed in the state. Nationally, the job outlook for accountants and auditors is good, with growth expected into 2020. CPAs have an advantage in the job market, as do accountants with other professional recognitions or advanced degrees.
CPA Licensing in New York
Accountants applying for CPA licensure in New York must be of good moral character, be at least 21, and meet the education, exam, and experience requirements. Licenses must be renewed every three years. Applicants must meet the following requirements to be licensed in New York:
- Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam
- Complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited accounting program
- Complete 150 semester hours of education
- Complete 33 semester hours in accounting with at least one course in financial accounting and reporting, cost or managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing and attestation services
- Complete 36 semester hours in general business electives
- Have taken courses involving the study of business or accounting communications, ethics and professional responsibility, and accounting research
- Have one year of full-time experience or the part-time equivalent in accounting services under the supervision of a CPA licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction or a public accountant licensed in New York
Continuing Education Requirements
CPAs in New York are required to complete at least 40 contact hours each year of acceptable formal continuing education in any of the recognized subject areas or 24 hours concentrated in one subject area. At least four of the hours must be in professional ethics. Recognized areas of study include accounting, attest, auditing, taxation, advisory services, and specialized knowledge and applications related to specialized industries.
Accounting Jobs in New York
New York is a great state for accounting and auditing opportunities. New York City, of course, provides a multitude of different kinds of accounting jobs. As a global financial hub and the location of corporate headquarters for companies from many different industries, accountants with many specializations are likely to find work here. Corporate accountants, financial managers, tax accountants, and more have great opportunities for employment in New York City and beyond.