Educational Requirements
Licenses for CPAs in Oklahoma are provided by the Oklahoma Accountancy Board. To apply to become a CPA, candidates must have graduated from a four-year, accredited college or university with an accounting major or its equal. Applicants must complete 48 semester hours in accounting and business- or finance-related subjects with at least 30 hours in accounting courses, including one course in auditing. The applicant must have completed 150 semesters of education.
Salary
Accountants and auditors in Oklahoma have an annual average wage of $56,940, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2011, and there’s a slightly higher concentration of accountants in the state than the national average. The job outlook for accountants and auditors is good, with growth expected through 2020. Certified public accountants and accountants with other professional recognitions have an advantage in the job market.
CPA Licensing in Oklahoma
To be licensed as a CPA in Oklahoma, applicants must be an individual of good character, have one year of public accountancy experience, pass an ethics exam prescribed by the Board, meet the education requirements required to sit for the CPA exam, and pass the Uniform CPA Exam. To sit for the exam, applicants must have the following qualifications:
- Graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in accounting or its equivalent
- Completed 150 semester hours, with 76 at the upper-division level of college or above
- Completed 48 semester hours in accounting and related subjects, with 30 hours in accounting courses beyond principles including one course in auditing or assurance, and nine hours in economics, statistics, business law, finance, business management, marketing, business communication, risk management, insurance, management information systems, or computer science
Continuing Education Requirements
Active CPAs in Oklahoma are required to earn 120 hours of continuing professional education in every rolling three-year period. At least 20 hours must be earned every year, and four hours of Ethics are required in every rolling three-year period. CPAs working in industry must complete 72 hours of the 120 hours in subjects related to the practice of public accounting, with eight hours every year in the areas of taxation, assurance, or accounting. Licenses must be renewed annually.
Accounting Jobs in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a booming energy industry, as one of the top states in the country for natural gas production. In this field, a variety of accountants are needed to manage large companies’ finances, internal audits, and taxes, as well as to account for resources within the company. Aviation is also a prominent industry in the state, providing opportunities for accountants to work for large aerospace firms or even the government.