Finance
Resources to help you enter or advance your career in finance.
CPA
Grow your finance career by passing your CPA exams.
CPA Requirements By State
In order to practice public accounting in one of the 55 states or jurisdictions in the United States, you must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
Each state/jurisdiction will have its own requirements covering education, work experience, residency and more. In general, most states will require a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting plus an extra year of study ("150 hour rule"). States also typically require a minimum of two years of public accounting experience.
State Specific CPA Requirements
View the CPA exam requirements for specific states below:
In order to become a Certified Management Account, one must pass the CMA exam. Passing the CMA certifies accountants to work in corporate financial account and management settings.
This qualification covers separate topics from those who receive a certified public accountant (CPA) certification. The CMA exam and resounding certification focuses on management and other executive duties.
A CMA designation shows that you are a strategic management and financial accounting expert. While public accountants focus on the day-to-day, detail-oriented matters, CMAs are focused on big-picture planning.
A Certified Internal Auditor is an accountant who has been designated to conduct internal audits. In order to become certified, candidates must take the CIA exam.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is in charge of the CIA certification.
In general, internal auditors are subjected to a code of ethics, meaning that they are guided by a set of principles that they use to conduct their business with integrity.
Many finance professionals seeking to advance their careers pursue certifications and licenses recognized in their field. Two of the most recognized in the field of accounting and finance are the Certified Public Accountant and the Chartered Financial Analyst.
The choice to pursue a CPA or a CFA will decide your career path. Both careers can be rewarding, but each has different advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, we look at the CFA vs CPA and compare both designations to help you choose the right one for your personality and skills.
Enrolled agents represent US taxpayers in front of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Enrolled agents have complete practice rights which means the can represent individuals, corporations, or any other entity that files taxes.
An enrolled agent course is the perfect way to ensure you are ready to pass the EA exam the first time around.
Enrolled agent courses are a great way for students to refresh their memories on various laws and regulations and learn about new material they may be tested on.
Almost all of the enrolled agent courses we reviewed below include practice questions, practice exams, video lectures, flashcards, and technology to make your life easier.
Use our reviews of the best enrolled agent courses to make your choice based on budget, learning style, guarantees and more.
The Series 7 Exam, also referred to as the General Securities Representative Exam (GSRE), is a test administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Once passed, the Series 7 Exam licenses the test taker to sell securities products. Stockbrokers need to pass the exam to trade. Make sure you are ready for the exam by taking one of the Series 7 practice exams below.
The exam focuses on things like investment risk, equity, taxation, retirement plans, and more.
It’s considered to be an introductory-level exam (not nearly as hard as the CFA Exam), as it is used to test the candidate’s basic knowledge of industry concepts that are critical to working in the financial sector.
