Educational Requirements
The educational requirements for taking the uniform certified public accountant exam and becoming certified as a Texas CPA are defined by the Texas Public Accountancy Act. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution of higher education recognized by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA). Applicants must have completed at least 150 semester hours in board-recognized courses.
Salary
In May 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranked Texas third among U.S. states for the number of employed accountants, with 83,560 accountants employed in the state. The average annual salary in Texas was $70,120. Across the country, employment for accountants is expected to grow through 2020. Accountants with professional certification, especially CPAs, will have an advantage in the job market.
CPA Licensing in Texas
Texas certified public accountants (CPAs) are certified by the TSBPA. Before being certified, a person must take the CPA exam.
Requirements to become eligible to apply for the CPA exam:
- Hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree at an accredited institution recognized by the TSBPA.
- Complete at least 150 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents of college credit in board-recognized courses.
- Complete 30 semester hours or quarter hour equivalents of upper-level board-approved accounting courses.
- Complete 24 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents of upper level board-approved business courses.
- Complete a 3-semester-hour board-approved ethics course.
- Submit an application of intent to the TSBPA.
Requirements to be issued a certificate (license):
- Determined by the TSBPA to be of good moral character.
- Pass the CPA exam.
- Meet board-approved work experience requirements.
- Pass the open-book exam on the TSBPA’s rules of professional conduct.
Continuing Education Requirements
Texas CPAs are required to renew their license once a year. Texas CPAs must complete at least 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credit hours in each three-year period, with a minimum of 20 hours completed in each one-year period. Texas CPAs are also required to complete a four-hour board-approved ethics course within the two-year period after their first year of being licensed, and then once every two years after that.
Individual licensees can use TSBPA’s online services to manage every step of the license renewal process.
Licensees can participate in board-approved CPE courses offered as classroom, online, blended, and/or self-study programs.
Accounting Jobs in Texas
Throughout Texas, the energy industry continues to fuel job growth across many fields, including accounting. Oil and gas exploration and refining companies as well as scientific and technical consulting companies dedicated to energy employ accountants and auditors. Texas is a major player in the area of global commerce, and accountants familiar with International Financial Reporting Standards may find employment facilitating international trade for such globally recognized companies as URS Corporation and Marathon Oil.