CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Wisconsin
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Wisconsin
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board, under the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Key steps include completing 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, passing a state-specific ethics exam, and accumulating 2080 hours (1 year) of qualified accounting experience. Wisconsin also offers reciprocity for licensed CPAs from other substantially equivalent jurisdictions.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Wisconsin
| Detail | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 2,080.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,635) |
| Application Fee | $43 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires passing a state-specific ethics exam with a score of 80% or higher. Minimum age of 18. Must complete 12 months of experience within 5 years prior to applying for certification. At least 20 CPE credits must be earned each year, with 3 hours in ethics. A maximum of 40 CPE credits can be carried over to the next cycle. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Wisconsin
The median cpa salary in Wisconsin is $78,150 per year, which is 4.3% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $56,360 |
| 25th | $63,890 |
| 50th (median) | $78,150 |
| 75th | $99,450 |
| 90th (experienced) | $126,180 |
Wisconsin employs approximately 25,060 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 Wisconsin Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,182 and a median salary of $78,150 in Wisconsin, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Wisconsin's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.