CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in South Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in South Dakota
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Dakota, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the South Dakota Board of Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of accounting experience within a 1-3 year period. Additionally, applicants must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher and apply for their certificate within 90 days of completing their experience to avoid a late fee. South Dakota offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in South Dakota
| Detail | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | South Dakota Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,171) |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: 18 years. No US citizenship or South Dakota residency required. Must pass AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher. Social Security Number is required for licensure, but not to sit for the exam. Experience must be completed in no less than one year and no more than three years. Application for certificate and passing the AICPA ethics exam must occur within 90 days of completing the experience requirement. If not, an additional $100 late fee applies. If applying for a certificate more than 3 years after passing the exam, the exam grades are nullified unless a waiver is granted. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in South Dakota
The median cpa salary in South Dakota is $77,310 per year, which is 5.4% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $59,190 |
| 25th | $64,300 |
| 50th (median) | $77,310 |
| 75th | $93,350 |
| 90th (experienced) | $110,630 |
South Dakota employs approximately 5,950 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 South Dakota Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,200 and a median salary of $77,310 in South Dakota, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: South Dakota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.