CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in West Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WV
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in West Virginia
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in West Virginia, candidates must meet educational, examination, and experience requirements set by the West Virginia Board of Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2000 hours of qualifying work experience. West Virginia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other substantially equivalent jurisdictions, provided they meet specific criteria and undergo a criminal history record check.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in West Virginia
| Detail | West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | West Virginia 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 ($1,051) |
| Application Fee | $170 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18 to sit for the CPA exam. A Social Security Number is required. Candidates must be a resident, employee, or maintain an office in West Virginia for licensure. A criminal history record check is required for new applications. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in West Virginia
The median cpa salary in West Virginia is $74,520 per year, which is 8.8% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,400 |
| 25th | $58,680 |
| 50th (median) | $74,520 |
| 75th | $95,110 |
| 90th (experienced) | $113,730 |
West Virginia employs approximately 5,310 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 West Virginia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,250 and a median salary of $74,520 in West Virginia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: West Virginia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.