Massachusetts CPA Requirements

In 2023, Massachusetts was home to more than 42,000 accountants and auditors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS data also reveals Massachusetts accountants work in one of the top-paying states for these professionals, making it a great place to launch a career in this field.

Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) can increase your earning potential and qualify you for advanced roles. For instance, Massachusetts CPAs file taxes and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reports for Fortune 500 companies like General Electric and Boston Scientific. They also work in Big Four accounting firms and network through associations like the Massachusetts Society of CPAs.

To earn a CPA license, accountants need to meet education, experience, and exam requirements. These stipulations include passing the four-part CPA exam, earning relevant professional experience, and completing 150 college-level credits. The Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy manages CPA licensure in the state.

This guide covers crucial information about Massachusetts CPA requirements.

Education Requirements for Becoming a CPA in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, CPAs must complete 150 college-level credits and earn at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. While CPAs do not have to major in accounting, earning a degree in the field ensures they meet course-specific requirements for licensure.

Bachelor's degrees typically only require 120 credits, so aspiring CPAs have a few options to earn the additional 30 credits: Some undergraduate accounting programs include 150 credits to meet state CPA requirements, while others allow learners to take additional classes before they graduate. Additionally, students can pursue a standalone certificate program or a master's degree.

An accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program in accounting can also meet the education requirement and let enrollees earn two degrees on a condensed timeline.

Prospective CPAs who don't hold accounting graduate degrees with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International accreditation must meet additional course requirements to qualify for licensure.

Concentrations, Credits, and Course Acceptance

Earning an accounting bachelor's degree only meets the Massachusetts CPA requirements under certain circumstances. Aspiring CPAs with a master's in accounting from an AACSB-accredited program automatically meet the credit requirements. All other licensure applicants must satisfy the following stipulations:

• Bachelor's degree: College graduates with an accredited bachelor's degree must complete at least 30 credits of accounting courses covering financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. Candidates also need 24 credits of business courses covering areas like business law, information systems, and finance.
• Master's degree: For non-AACSB-accredited master's in accounting or master's programs in fields such as business administration, applicants must complete 30 credits of accounting courses at the undergraduate level or 18 credits of accounting credits at the graduate level, including classes covering the aforementioned accounting topics. Applicants also need 24 business course credits at the undergraduate level or 18 business course credits at the graduate level, including classes covering the aforementioned business topics.

Applicants can apply CPA review courses toward the credit requirements if they take these classes at an institutionally accredited school. Accounting internships can also meet the accounting course credit requirement. The state's Board of Public Accountancy reviews official transcripts to determine whether candidates meet the educational requirements for a CPA license.

Massachusetts Experience Requirements

To qualify for licensure, Massachusetts CPAs need at least 2,000 hours of experience.

Candidates working in public accounting need at least one year of experience within a three-year period. Candidates working in other accounting fields need at least three years of experience over a nine-year period.

Massachusetts dictates that qualifying experience for prospective CPAs must demonstrate accounting attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, and accounting skills, plus consulting experience. An internship at a public accounting firm counts toward the experience requirements if it demonstrates these skills and the internship lasted at least two months. Volunteer experience cannot be used to meet the CPA experience requirement.

Licensure candidates submit a letter attesting to their experience. The letter must include a signature from a CPA at the business where they completed the experience. When candidates submit their experience letter, it must be dated within the past year, list employment dates, and clarify whether they worked full time or part time. They must also write the letter on official company letterhead and address the document to the Board of Public Accountancy.

CPA Exam Requirements

In every state, CPAs must pass the Uniform CPA Examination for licensure, though each jurisdiction maintains its own eligibility requirements and scheduling process. This section examines the requirements for Massachusetts. Check out our CPA exam guide for more information about the test.

Eligibility to Take the Exam

While CPAs in Massachusetts need 150 credits of college coursework to qualify for licensure, they only need 120 credits and a bachelor's degree to sit for the CPA exam. The state does not maintain a residency requirement for test-takers.

The eligibility requirements for the CPA exam in Massachusetts include:

• Bachelor's degree: Examinees need a bachelor's degree and at least 120 credits, including 21 credits in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management or cost accounting, plus nine credits in business, including business law, finance, and information systems. Massachusetts also allows CPA candidates to sit for the exam if they are within 90 days of completing their bachelor's degree.
• Age requirement: Test-takers must be at least 18 years old to take the CPA exam.

Applying for and Scheduling the Exam

After meeting the eligibility requirements, candidates submit an application through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which offers CPA Examination Services (CPAES) for several states, including Massachusetts.

First, applicants create an online account through NASBA. Next, they submit their candidate information. Then, they upload educational documents such as official transcripts and proof of enrollment to their CPA Portal.

CPAES reviews official transcripts to determine whether candidates meet the educational requirements. Applicants who qualify receive a letter from CPAES with instructions on how to apply and schedule the CPA exam. The review process costs $130 and typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Eligible applicants can apply to take a section of the CPA exam, at which point NASBA issues a Notice to Schedule (NTS). The NTS gives examinees a six-month window in which they can take the test. Each section of the exam costs $404.64, and Massachusetts only allows test-takers to apply for one exam section at a time.

Prospective CPAs can take the four sections of the CPA exam in any order, but they must finish the exam within a 30-month period. This window begins when test-takers receive their first passing score. Once candidates pass all four sections, their scores do not expire.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the CPA exam and satisfying all other stipulations, applicants submit an online application through the state's Board of Public Accountancy. In addition to documentation for their completion of the education, exam, and experience requirements, applicants must submit three character reference letters. Initial licensing costs $175.

Maintaining Licensure

Massachusetts CPA licenses expire every two years on June 30. Accountants who fail to submit their license renewal application and the $161 fee before June 30 must pay an additional late fee of $57.

CPAs must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) each cycle to maintain their license. Massachusetts allows CPE for the learning opportunities such as:

• Professional development programs offered by accounting organizations
• Technical sessions at accounting professional organization meetings
• College-level courses, at the rate of 15 CPE hours per semester credit
• Non-credit courses at the rate of one CPE hour per classroom hour

The state's continuing education committee may also award credit for publishing articles or books. As part of the 80 CPE hours, CPAs must complete at least four hours in professional ethics each renewal cycle.

Questions About CPAs in Massachusetts