CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Maine
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ME
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Maine
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Maine, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Maine Board of Accountancy. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, including specific accounting, auditing, and ethics coursework, and must pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, two years (approximately 4160 hours) of qualifying work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA is required for licensure.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Maine
| Detail | Maine |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Maine Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 4,160.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $56 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 40.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | No minimum age, U.S. citizenship, or Maine residency is required. A Social Security Number is required. A criminal background check is required for licensure. 4 hours of ethics CPE are required every 3 years. Up to 20 excess CPE hours can be carried over to the next renewal period. The CPA exam can be taken after completing 120 semester hours, but 150 semester hours are required for licensure. The experience must be gained in a public accounting firm or equivalent, under the supervision of a licensed CPA. |
Source: Maine Board of Accountancy
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Maine
The median cpa salary in Maine is $77,680 per year, which is 4.9% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $52,920 |
| 25th | $63,040 |
| 50th (median) | $77,680 |
| 75th | $99,000 |
| 90th (experienced) | $124,990 |
Maine employs approximately 4,020 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 Maine Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,156 and a median salary of $77,680 in Maine, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Maine's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.