Wisconsin CPA Requirements

Wisconsin features a robust manufacturing industry, as well as thriving agriculture and tourism sectors. These industries, among others, require knowledgeable, qualified, and experienced accountants to handle complex financial tasks.

The Badger State currently has a strong demand for accounting professionals, such as certified public accountants (CPAs). The U.S. Department of Labor projects an 8.9% increase in demand for accountants in Wisconsin from 2022-2032, amounting to about 2,500 new job openings in that time frame.

Considering the state's relatively low cost of living, CPAs can live quite well in Wisconsin. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state's accountants and auditors made an average wage of $82,630 in 2023, nearly 30% more than the average for all jobs in the state.

Becoming a CPA in Wisconsin involves a few steps, including earning an accounting degree, gaining professional experience, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Continue reading to learn about Wisconsin CPA requirements.

Education Requirements for Becoming a CPA in Wisconsin

Wisconsin law requires CPAs to hold a bachelor's degree or higher, with significant coursework in accounting and at least 150 total credits of coursework. Additionally, you must complete at least 120 credits, including advanced accounting coursework, before you qualify for the CPA exam.

Since bachelor's degrees usually involve 120 credits of coursework, prospective CPAs in Wisconsin typically need education beyond the undergraduate level. Graduates can pursue certificate programs, standalone credits, or graduate degrees to fulfill the 150-credit CPA requirement in Wisconsin.

Alternatively, they can pursue an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's accounting program. These accounting programs allow students to earn bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously without separately applying to graduate school.

Concentrations, Credits, and Course Acceptance

Aside from the specific accounting and economics requirements outlined below, you can fulfill the 150-credit requirement with coursework from any institution of higher education accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Business School: Each candidate who holds a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited business program or college of business must complete at least 24 credits of accounting coursework at the undergraduate level or 15 credits of accounting coursework at the graduate level. These credits must include the following courses:

• Financial accounting
• Cost or managerial accounting
• Taxation
• Auditing
• Accounting information systems

Other Educational Institution: Bachelor's-level graduates from other types of accredited institutions must meet the same requirements. In addition, they must complete 24 credits of coursework in business and economics at the undergraduate level or 15 credits at the graduate level. These credits must include the following courses beyond the introductory level:

• Economics
• Finance
• Statistics or data analytics
• Business law
• Information technology

AACSB-Accredited Master's Program: A student with a bachelor's degree can also satisfy the educational requirements by earning a master's degree in accounting from a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Wisconsin Experience Requirements

Wisconsin requires all CPA applicants to acquire at least one year of professional accounting experience after completing the educational requirements to qualify for the CPA exam. This experience must take place no more than five years before applying for CPA licensure.

You may also use relevant industry, law, government, or teaching experience to satisfy this Wisconsin CPA requirement. When evaluating your experience, the examining board considers your duties, the extent of your responsibility, and hours worked per week. Part-time work may count but typically receives less consideration.

Wisconsin's application for CPA licensure includes an Experience Record and a Verification of Employment and Experience. Applicants use the Experience Record to document their relevant work experience, providing enough detail that a peer could judge the character of their work. Next, they forward the Verification of Employment and Experience to their employers for completion.

CPA Exam Requirements

All CPAs must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, administered by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Most find the exam challenging, so be sure to prepare thoroughly.

In 2024, the CPA exam underwent major changes, allowing applicants to tailor the examination to their specialization. Check out our CPA exam guide to become familiar with the current iteration of the test.

Eligibility to Take the Exam

Before applying for the exam, candidates need to complete educational requirements. Although they need to hold at least a bachelor's degree to qualify for CPA licensure, they do not necessarily need it to apply for the CPA exam. However, sitting for the exam requires 120 credits of coursework, with the required credits in accounting and, if necessary, business and economics. These classes cannot be in process.

In addition to satisfying educational requirements, you must be at least 18 years old to sit for the CPA exam. Wisconsin does not maintain residency requirements for exam eligibility. Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens or provide Social Security numbers.

Applying for and Scheduling the Exam

To apply for the CPA exam in Wisconsin, visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website.

Each school listed on your application must send official transcripts directly to CPA Examination Services. Additionally, you must pay a $90 Education Evaluation Application fee.

If you're currently enrolled in a program but have not yet graduated, you may still qualify to take the exam, but you must have completed 120 credits, along with the required accounting and business coursework.

Once deemed eligible, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS). The NTS expires after six months, and it is generally not possible to receive an extension or a refund of examination fees.

You must pass all four sections of the CPA exam within 18 months. You can only apply for one section per Exam Section Application, and each application requires a $405.64 fee.

You must schedule three core sections that all test-takers complete, including auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, and taxation and regulation. Additionally, you must schedule a fourth test in one of the following: business analysis and reporting, information systems and control, or tax compliance and planning.

If you need to reschedule, be sure to do so as soon as you can. If you cancel more than 30 days before your appointment, there is no cancellation fee. If you do not cancel and you miss your appointment, you'll be marked as a "no-show" and must forfeit your exam fees.

After Passing the Exam

After passing all four sections of the PA exam within an 18-month period, there are a few more steps to becoming a CPA in Wisconsin.

First, you must meet the educational requirements to become a CPA. Additionally, you must complete 12 months of accounting experience. After meeting the educational and experience requirements, you must submit the Certified Public Accountant License Application Information form.

After your application and supporting documents are processed, you will receive instructions on how to complete an open-book ethics exam administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) online. This exam focuses on practicing public accounting in Wisconsin.

Once certified, you can verify your certification to an employer using the Wisconsin DSPS credential search or NASBA's CPA Verify lookup tool.

Maintaining Licensure

In Wisconsin, you must renew your CPA license in Dec. of every odd year by meeting certain continuing professional education (CPE) requirements.

You must take at least 80 CPE credits each two-year period. At least 40 of those credits must come from formal learning activities, and at least three formal credits must cover ethics. You must have at least 20 CPE credits per year.

You can complete informal CPE by listening to lectures online, participating in webinars, listening to podcasts, watching videos, and reading books and articles. You should document any activity that you claim for informal CPE credit.

CPE activities do not need to be approved or accredited by any organization. However, formal CPE activities require participation that an appropriately experienced program sponsor can verify, materials that document the subject matter, prerequisites, preparation, format, and number of credits awarded.

You must keep a detailed record of all CPE activities for at least five years. The Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants provides ample CPE opportunities each year.

Questions About CPAs in Wisconsin