CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in North Dakota

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

Median Salary
$72,180
North Dakota (2024)
National Median
$81,680
All states
Est. Total Cost
$1,250
Education + exams + fees
Time to Complete
1-4 years post-bachelor's degree
From start to licensed

How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in North Dakota

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the North Dakota State Board of Accountancy. This includes a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of qualified accounting experience within one to four years. Additionally, candidates must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam and fulfill annual continuing education requirements to maintain their license.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in North Dakota

DetailNorth Dakota
Licensing BodyNorth Dakota State 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$120
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education120.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age: None. Requires passing the AICPA Ethics Exam. Social Security Number is required. Must complete 24 semester hours of accounting courses (excluding principles of accounting) and 24 semester hours of business courses. At least 20 CPE hours are required annually, with 6 hours of ethics CPE every 3 years. New licensees are exempt from CPE for the first annual renewal period.

Source: North Dakota State Board of Accountancy

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in North Dakota

The median cpa salary in North Dakota is $72,180 per year, which is 11.6% below the national median of $81,680.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$49,470
25th$60,090
50th (median)$72,180
75th$85,580
90th (experienced)$103,400

North Dakota employs approximately 4,110 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 North Dakota Worth It?

With an estimated total investment of $1,250 and a median salary of $72,180 in North Dakota, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in North Dakota?
To become a cpa in North Dakota, you need to 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 ($120 fee).
Is a cpa license required in North Dakota?
North Dakota mandates state licensure for cpas. North Dakota State Board of Accountancy oversees the process, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Examination.
How much does a cpa make in North Dakota?
The median cpa salary in North Dakota is $72,180 per year. This trails the $81,680 national median by 12%. The range spans from $49,470 at the entry level to $103,400 for top earners.
What's the total cost to get cpa certified in North Dakota?
Plan on spending $1,250 total — that covers exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($120) plus your education and training.
What's the timeline to become a cpa in North Dakota?
The typical timeline in North Dakota is 1-4 years post-bachelor's degree. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.
What's required to renew a cpa license in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires 120.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your cpa license.

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