Educational Requirements
Certified Public Accountants in Oregon are licensed and regulated by Oregon’s Board of Accountancy, which determines the requirements for becoming a CPA in the state. Applicants must pass the Uniform CPA Exam and meet the education requirements, which include completing 150 semester hours of education, a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited school, 24 semester hours in accounting, and 24 hours in accounting or related subjects.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2011, accountants and auditors in Oregon earn an annual average wage of $62,210, and 11,280 are employed in the state. Nationally, accountants earn $70,130 on average each year. Through 2020, job prospects are expected to grow as individuals and companies continue to cope with the effects of the recession and recent financial scandals. Accountants who are CPAs or hold other professional recognitions are projected to have the greatest job prospects.
CPA Licensing in Oregon
To become a licensed CPA in Oregon, applicants must pass all sections of the CPA exam, pass the ethics exam adopted by the board, have 12 months of experience under a supervisor licensee, and meet the education standards required to sit for the CPA exam. To sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, applicants must meet these requirements:
- Completed a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
- Completed 150 semester hours of education
- Completed 24 semester hours in the study of accounting
- Completed an additional 24 semester hours in accounting or related subjects, including business, finance, economics, and written and oral communication
Continuing Education Requirements
Active CPAs must renew their licenses every two years. During each two-year period, CPAs must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education, with at least 24 hours completed each year. Four hours of professional conduct and ethics are required during each two-year period.
Accounting Jobs in Oregon
Many accountant jobs in Oregon can be found in the manufacturing sector. The state exports large amounts of paper products, computer equipment, electronics, chemicals, and more. Management/cost accountants, tax accountants, and auditors can find jobs with both large and small manufacturing companies here. High-tech companies in Oregon also have need for accountants beyond the manufacturing stage, and may attract tech-savvy CPAs who are interested in auditing information systems or helping manage accounting information systems.