CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Massachusetts
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Massachusetts
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. This typically involves completing 150 semester hours of college coursework, including a bachelor's degree, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, candidates need to accumulate 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience, which can be in public or non-public accounting, before applying for licensure.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Massachusetts
| Detail | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,631) |
| Application Fee | $195 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Experience must be 2,000 hours in public accounting (1-3 years) or non-public accounting (3-9 years). Public accounting experience is required for those seeking to sign attest reports. 4 hours of professional ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. Three character reference letters are required for licensure. No ethics exam is required. U.S. citizenship is not required, and there is no residency requirement for exam takers. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Massachusetts
The median cpa salary in Massachusetts is $96,580 per year, which is 18.2% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $64,370 |
| 25th | $77,280 |
| 50th (median) | $96,580 |
| 75th | $122,020 |
| 90th (experienced) | $152,960 |
Massachusetts employs approximately 45,520 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 Massachusetts Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,275 and a median salary of $96,580 in Massachusetts, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Massachusetts's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.