CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Michigan

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MI

Median Salary
$77,720
Michigan (2024)
National Median
$81,680
All states
Est. Total Cost
$1,200
Education + exams + fees
Time to Complete
5+ years
From start to licensed

How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Michigan

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Michigan, candidates must meet the requirements set by the Michigan Board of Accountancy. This involves completing 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and accumulating 2,000 hours of qualifying work experience. Michigan offers reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs who meet substantially equivalent requirements, and there is no minimum age to sit for the exam, but applicants must be at least 18 for licensure.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Michigan

DetailMichigan
Licensing BodyMichigan Board of Accountancy
State License Required Yes
EducationBachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience Required2,000.0 hours
Exam Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application Fee$300
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education80.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age for licensure is 18. Michigan does not require a separate ethics exam for initial licensure, but ethics education is part of the continuing professional education. New licensees are exempt from CPE for the first 12 months. 2,000 hours of qualifying experience must be completed within a 1- to 5-year timeframe and verified by a licensed CPA. Experience more than five years preceding the application will not be counted.

Source: Michigan Board of Accountancy

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Michigan

The median cpa salary in Michigan is $77,720 per year, which is 4.8% below the national median of $81,680.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$50,240
25th$62,260
50th (median)$77,720
75th$100,020
90th (experienced)$130,320

Michigan employs approximately 43,910 cpas.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+4.6%
Faster than average
Annual Openings
124.2
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
1,579.8
Nationwide

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 Michigan Worth It?

With an estimated total investment of $1,200 and a median salary of $77,720 in Michigan, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.

Factors to consider: Michigan's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's required to work as a cpa in Michigan?
The path to cpa licensure in Michigan: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($300 fee).
Is a cpa license required in Michigan?
You cannot practice as a cpa in Michigan without a state license from Michigan Board of Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.
How much does a cpa make in Michigan?
cpas in Michigan earn a median of $77,720 annually. That's roughly in line with the $81,680 national median. Wages range from $50,240 (10th percentile) up to $130,320 (90th percentile).
How much does it cost to become a cpa in Michigan?
The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,200, factoring in exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($300) and required training.
How long does it take to become a cpa in Michigan?
Most candidates in Michigan complete the process in 5+ years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.
What are the continuing education requirements for cpas in Michigan?
Yes — cpas in Michigan must complete 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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