CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Georgia
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Georgia, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience. As of January 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure offer flexibility in education and experience. Georgia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states, provided they meet Georgia's educational standards and hold an active license.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Georgia
| Detail | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Georgia State Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 30 semester hours in accounting above the elementary level and 24 semester hours in business-related subjects. (Note: As of January 1, 2026, alternative pathways include a Master's degree in accounting or taxation, or a Bachelor's degree in accounting.) |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,051) |
| Application Fee | $140 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: 18 years old. U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency/qualified alien status required. No ethics exam is required for licensure, but 4 hours of ethics CPE (including 1 hour specific to Georgia Board laws) are required for renewal. Experience must be verified by a licensed CPA and completed within one year preceding the application date. As of January 1, 2026, experience requirements vary based on education pathway: 1 year (2,000 hours) for 150 semester hours or Master's degree, or 2 years (4,000 hours) for a Bachelor's degree in accounting. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Georgia
The median cpa salary in Georgia is $80,100 per year, which is 1.9% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,140 |
| 25th | $62,230 |
| 50th (median) | $80,100 |
| 75th | $105,600 |
| 90th (experienced) | $140,640 |
Georgia employs approximately 45,000 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 Georgia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,200 and a median salary of $80,100 in Georgia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Georgia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.