[JRCPA24]

Hello all,

I’ve got a question related to Florida’s CPA Licensure Requirements. I have a BA and a master’s degree in a non-accounting field. I work in tax and decided to start my journey to a CPA license. I have taken 24 credits of accounting courses at the undergraduate as a non-degree seeking student. My plan was to avoid having to spend an exorbitant amount on a master’s in accounting to fulfill the education requirement when I don’t really need another master’s degree.

I’m concerned that the language in Florida’s statutes require a degree in accounting. I wasn’t really planning on getting another bachelor’s degree. I was just planning on taking the accounting courses required and then sit for the CPA exam. Does anyone have any experience on whether on actual accounting degree is needed or will the courses satisfy the requirement?

Thanks in advance.

[Mayo]

Not sure where you're seeing that language you mentioned.

This is what I found:

“TOTAL REQUIRED HOURS: 150 semester or 200 quarter hours

TOTAL UPPER DIVISION ACCOUNTING HOURS: 36 semester or 54 quarter to include the following: Taxation, Auditing, Financial, Cost/Managerial and Accounting Info Systems.

TOTAL UPPER DIVISION GENERAL BUSINESS HOURS: 39 semester hours or 58 quarter hours to include the following: six (6) semester hours or eight (8) quarter hours of business law. One course can be at a lower lever (freshman or sophomore), the other course must be upper division (junior level or higher). Business Law 1 and Legal Environment of Business are often considered duplicate.”

Source: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/cpa/licensure.html

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[JRCPA24]

Thanks for you answer Mayo. The language I was referring to was part of the administrative code:

“61H1-27.002 Concentrations in Accounting and Business.

(1) For purposes of Section 473.306, F.S., if application for the Uniform CPA Examination was made prior to August 2, 1983, an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, or its equivalent, with a concentration in accounting and business subjects. A concentration in accounting and business is defined as an educational program that includes at least 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours, or the equivalent, in accounting education above elementary (principles of) accounting and 27 semester or 40 quarter hours, or the equivalent, in general business education. In order to meet the provisions of Section 473.306, F.S., the application must have been filed, completed and approved and show on its face that all educational and other requirements were met prior to August 2, 1983.

(2) For purposes of Section 473.308, F.S., if application for licensure is made after August 1, 1983, an applicant must have at least 150 semester hours or 200 quarter hours of college education, including a baccalaureate degree or higher conferred by an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, or its equivalent. The applicant’s total education program shall include a concentration in accounting and business as follows:

(a) 36 semester or 54 quarter hours in accounting education at the upper division level which shall include coverage of auditing, cost and managerial accounting, financial accounting, accounting information systems, and taxation. Not more than 3 semester or 4 quarter hours may be internship programs which may be applied to the 36 semester or 54 quarter hours in accounting (internship courses must be taken in conjunction with other traditional coursework at an institution and must appear on the transcript). Further, any remaining internship credit if otherwise acceptable would be applied to the general business requirement, and”

[Mayo]

For me, I read the part that says “baccalaureate degree…in accounting..or its equivalent” to mean that a Bachelor's unrelated to Accounting plus the necessary 36 credit hours in upper level accounting and plus the 39 semester hours of general business knowledge.

I don't think you need a degree in accounting, but it seems like you do need plenty of business credit hours.

Also, keep in mind that Upper Level accounting courses more than likely do not count Principles I and II of accounting.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Givemesleep]

I am confused about the general business credits. Are the 39 hours all upper division jr/sr level courses. Who has 75 upper division in total that sounds like a lot

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Givemesleep]

I am confused about the general business credits. Are the 39 hours all upper division jr/sr level courses. Who has 75 upper division in total that sounds like a lot

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Mayo]

“Who has 75 upper division in total that sounds like a lot “

Sounds like a lot probably because mostly people with Business/Accounting degrees have that much. It sounds like they're wanting you to have the core Business classes that a business related major would have.

For example, my undergrad in accounting gave me about 24 upper level accounting hours and 30 hours of general business. Don't forget, the 150 hr requirement is usually fulfilled by (and might be designed for) a Master's in Acc degree. So yah, sounds like a lot mainly because you don't have a business degree.

I'd check with the board to make sure though. I think all they care about is 1.) Bachelor degree and 2.) All accounting and business credits.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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