Accounting Degrees in Hawaii

Introduction

Hawaii is home to nearly one and a half million people, more than 4,800 of whom are accountants working the public and private sectors. While the state’s economy relies heavily on tourism, the medical field and military employment, retirees make up a significant portion of residents as well. Lenient tax regulations make Hawaii one of the most tax-friendly places for retirees, and the despite its small size and relatively small economy, the state boasts the 17th highest per capita income in the country. Three of the “Big Four” international CPA firms have branches located in Hawaii, including Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, and KPMG. Investment strategy and financial advisory firm Edward Jones has personal financial advisors and accountants on Oahu in Honolulu and Kailua as well as in Hilo on the Big Island.

Hawaii at a glance

Population	1,427,538
Per Capita Income	$29,736
Unemployment Rate	2.2%
Fortune 500 Companies	0
Licensed CPA Firms	312

Accounting Programs in Hawaii

Search our comprehensive school directory to explore the accounting programs in Hawaii, including campus-based, online and hybrid programs.

Accounting Salaries and Employment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for accountants and auditors to rise 13% by 2022. In Hawaii alone, the number of employed accountants has an average annual increase of 1.1%, making it one of the top jobs in the state in terms of estimated growth. The average salary for accountants in Hawaii is $61,200, with those in the top 10th percentile working in Honolulu making $96,910 on average.

Three of the nation’s four largest accounting firms have office branches in Honolulu, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG, making it top-paying city for accountants in Hawaii.

Projected Job Growth for Accountants

Accounting Salaries by Specialty

Top-paying cities for accountants

Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) in Hawaii

CPA licensure in Hawaii is administered by the State Board of Accountancy. The state exam may be waived if a candidate already holds a CPA license or certificate issued under the laws of another U.S. state or does not hold a CPA certificate or license but did pass the Uniform CPA exam.

Eligibility for CPA Licensure in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii requires CPA licensure candidates to meet the following qualifications:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Meet the 150 credit hour educational requirement
• Hold a baccalaureate degree in accounting, or an baccalaureate plus 18 semester hours of upper-division accounting or auditing subjects, or an official document stating the applicant will graduate within 120 days of taking the exam or an educational equivalency report approved by the State Board of Accountancy
• Successfully pass the state board of accountancy CPA exam within an 18-month period

Potential CPA license holders are required to meet the 150 credit hour requirement to receive CPA licensure in Hawaii. Once the educational requirements have been met, an official transcript must be submitted to the NASBA CPA Examination Services.

Age Requirement	18
Citizenship Requirement	Yes
Residency Requirement	No
Social Security # Requirement	Yes
Education Requirement for Licensure	Bachelor's degree (150 hours)
Participates in International Programs	Yes
Hours in Accounting	18 semester hours
Exam Sitting Requirements	120 hours
Experience Requirements	1,500 hours of auditing experience or 2 years of accounting experience
Ethics Exam	N/A

As of December 2011, all Hawaii CPAs seeking to renew their state license must complete 4 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) in either ethics or professional conduct.

Source: The American Institute of CPAs

CPA exam fees in Hawaii

Certifying and Professional Organizations

The Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants HSCPA is a professional organization in Hawaii dedicated to promoting the integrity and competence of CPAs in the state, as well as administering a qualified peer review program. The Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy strives to ensure fair and honest business practice in order to promote a healthy business environment by protecting the community from deceptive business practices.