CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Alaska
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Alaska
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Alaska, candidates must obtain a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration. They must pass the Uniform CPA Examination and complete 4,000 hours (two years) of qualifying accounting experience, verified by a licensed CPA. An application and a background check are also required, along with passing an ethics exam.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Alaska
| Detail | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Alaska Board of Public Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration. As of January 1, 2026, the 150 semester hour requirement for licensure has been removed, and a bachelor's degree (typically 120 semester hours) is sufficient. To sit for the exam, candidates need a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration, or be within 18 semester hours of completion with at least 15 semester hours of accounting coursework completed. |
| Experience Required | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,475) |
| Application Fee | $200 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 19 years old. Requires two years of experience (4,000 hours) in accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills, verified by a supervising CPA. Experience can be gained in government, industry, academia, or public practice. An ethics exam is required. A background check is required. As of January 1, 2028, license renewal will require verification of residency in Alaska or another U.S. state. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Alaska
The median cpa salary in Alaska is $81,950 per year, which is 0.3% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $56,020 |
| 25th | $66,570 |
| 50th (median) | $81,950 |
| 75th | $99,810 |
| 90th (experienced) | $128,150 |
Alaska employs approximately 2,440 cpas.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Job Outlook
AI Impact on CPAs
High AI Exposure (Score: 1.48/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a CPA in Alaska Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,375 and a median salary of $81,950 in Alaska, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Alaska's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.