CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Colorado
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Colorado
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado, candidates must meet specific education, experience, and examination requirements. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, completing 1,800 hours of supervised accounting experience, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, applicants must pass the AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher. The Colorado State Board of Accountancy handles the licensing process, and reciprocity is available for CPAs licensed in other substantially equivalent jurisdictions.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Colorado
| Detail | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Colorado State Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 1,800.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $160 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires passing the AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher within two years preceding the application date. No minimum age, residency, or citizenship requirements to sit for the exam, but a Social Security number is required. Experience must be obtained within five years preceding the application date. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Colorado
The median cpa salary in Colorado is $90,030 per year, which is 10.2% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $59,540 |
| 25th | $71,290 |
| 50th (median) | $90,030 |
| 75th | $119,470 |
| 90th (experienced) | $155,590 |
Colorado employs approximately 35,580 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 Colorado Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,250 and a median salary of $90,030 in Colorado, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Colorado's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.