CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Montana
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Montana, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Montana Board of Public Accountants. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including specific accounting and business coursework, or, starting January 1, 2026, a bachelor's degree with relevant coursework and one year of experience. Candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination and the AICPA Ethics Exam, and complete 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience within three years of applying for licensure. Montana offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in substantially equivalent jurisdictions.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Montana
| Detail | Montana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Montana Board of Public Accountants |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting courses and 24 semester hours of general business courses. Starting January 1, 2026, a new pathway allows for a Bachelor's degree with required accounting and business coursework and 1 year of relevant experience. |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: None. No U.S. citizenship or Montana residency required. Must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam. Experience must be completed within three years preceding the application date. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Montana
The median cpa salary in Montana is $74,400 per year, which is 8.9% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,730 |
| 25th | $61,490 |
| 50th (median) | $74,400 |
| 75th | $93,360 |
| 90th (experienced) | $121,140 |
Montana employs approximately 4,680 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 Montana Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,250 and a median salary of $74,400 in Montana, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Montana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.