What does the CPA exam consist of?
James Craig
Published Mar 14, 2026
The CPA exam consists of four sections: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Regulation (REG), and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC).
What are the 4 parts of the CPA exam?
All candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination ® (CPA Exam), which comprises four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG).
Is CPA Financial Accounting?
Someone earning a CPA degree generally ends up as an accountant of some sort. That is, they put together, maintain, and review financial statements and related transactions for companies. Many CPAs file tax forms or returns for individuals and businesses.
How hard is the Uniform CPA exam?
With national CPA Exam pass rates hovering around 50%, the Uniform CPA Examination is one of the most difficult professional credentialing exams.
How many people pass all 4 sections of CPA on first try?
Of CPA candidates, what percentage pass all four parts of the CPA exam the first time? About 20%, or one in five, CPA candidates pass all four parts of the exam on the first try.
How many times can you fail a CPA exam?
Luckily, there is no limit on how many times you can retake the exam for the section you failed in. However, if you have cleared the first section, you should clear the remaining sections within 18 months. If you are thinking about retaking a different section for your CPA exam, rethink it.
How much should accountants charge per hour?
Although accountant cost is affected by location, the work to be done, the accountant’s level and experience, and the accountant’s fees, the Bureau of Labour Statistics states that on average, the rate per hour for an accountant in the U.S is $40.
Who makes more money CPA or CFA?
CPA vs CFA Salary CPAs earn anywhere between $40,000 and $120,000 or more, whereas CFA salaries typically fall between $70,000 and $150,000 or more. Overall, the CPA is the more widely recognized, safer, and more traditional path for those interested in a career in finance or accounting.
Is Series 7 harder than CPA?
I would say that Series 7 is more challenging than a single section of CPA exam but if you were to take the CPA exam as a whole, it is more difficult because it covers a wider range of topics. Series 7 will also depend on how much your company does for you.
Why is CPA pass rate so low?
The pass rate is low because of the sheer volume of material that must be mastered especially when all four sections are considered together. The CPA exam has always been considered one of the most difficult professional exams.
How long do you have to pass all 4 parts of CPA exam?
18 months
While every state/jurisdiction has its own unique requirements for obtaining a CPA license, they all require that a candidate pass the CPA Exam, and you have 18 months to finish all four parts of the CPA Exam (clock begins ticking after you pass your first section), so be mindful of scheduling and studying.
What happens if I fail a CPA Exam?
If you just failed a section of the CPA exam and can sit for it in the next month or two and scored at least a 50 or above. You only need 2-6 weeks to study for this retake assuming you can put in around 15-20 hours per week of CPA exam study time.
How long does it take the average person to pass the CPA Exam?
6-12 months
How long does it take to pass the CPA Exam? The average CPA candidate may need 6-12 months to pass the entire CPA Exam.