Educational Requirements
The North Dakota State Board of Accountancy lays out the requirements for becoming a CPA in North Dakota. Applicants must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, complete Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course, and have at least 150 semester hours of education including a bachelor’s degree or higher. The 150 hours must include a concentration in accounting with 24 hours of other business courses.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average wage in North Dakota for accountants and auditors is $54,080. Because of recent financial crises and scandals, stricter national regulations and laws are being put into place, increasing the need for accountants to help with compliance nationwide. Because of this and other factors, the job outlook for accountants and auditors is good, with growth expected through 2020. CPAs should have a better chance of finding employment than those who aren’t certified.
CPA Licensing in North Dakota
To hold themselves out as CPAs in North Dakota, accountants must be licensed by the North Dakota State Board of Accountancy. The requirements to be licensed are:
- Be of good moral character
- Pass the CPA Exam
- Take the ethics course provided by AICPA, Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course
- One year of experience providing service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills
- 150 semester hours of education
- 24 semester hours in accounting beyond principles courses
- 24 semester hours in other business courses
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
Continuing Education Requirements
Active CPAs in North Dakota must renew their certificates annually. Those who perform accounting, auditing, management or financial advisory, consulting, bookkeeping, or tax services for a client or employer’s client, while holding out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 hours of continuing professional education in every three-year period, with 20 hours each year. All others who hold themselves out in any way as an active CPA in this state must have completed 60 hours in the prior three years, with 16 each year.
Accounting Jobs in North Dakota
Agriculture is a major industry in North Dakota, which is a leading producer of wheat, corn, and other products. This makes it a great state for those aspiring to be agricultural accountants. Those who are familiar with the Farm Financial Standards Council will have the best chance in this field. Manufacturing is also a vital part of North Dakota’s economy and provides opportunities for accountants to work as financial managers, cost accountants, management accountants, and more.