2026 Best Accounting Schools in Alaska – How to Become a CPA in AK

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Choosing an accounting school in Alaska is not just a question of which program has the right name. The better question is whether the program will help you meet Alaska CPA education requirements, build marketable technical skills, manage the cost of extra credits, and prepare for accounting work in a state with distinct industries, geography, and employer needs.

Accounting remains a practical option for students who are comfortable with numbers, financial records, compliance, problem-solving, and business systems. At the same time, the profession is facing a smaller student pipeline. According to the AICPA's 2025 Trends Report, graduates who earned a bachelor's or master's degree in accounting fell to 55,152, down 6.6% and the lowest total in two decades. For students who complete the right education and gain experience, that decline may mean less competition for some entry-level accounting roles.

This guide explains how to become an accountant or CPA in Alaska, how long the process can take, what accounting programs cost, which Alaska schools offer accounting pathways, and what to compare before enrolling. If you are still deciding which credential fits your goals, Research.com’s guide to the types of accounting degrees explains the differences among certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate accounting programs.

Best Accounting Schools in Alaska Table of Contents

1. Quick answer: Is accounting a good career choice in Alaska?
2. How to become an accountant or CPA in Alaska
3. How long accounting programs and CPA preparation take
4. Tuition and cost considerations for Alaska accounting students
5. Best accounting schools in Alaska for 2026
6. How to evaluate an accounting program in Alaska
7. Why accounting internships matter
8. How school choice affects your accounting career
9. Online accounting programs for Alaska CPA candidates
10. Accounting skills in Alaska healthcare finance
11. CPA salary considerations in Alaska
12. Forensic accounting opportunities in Alaska
13. Technology trends in accounting education and careers
14. Accounting and healthcare management careers
15. Challenges of accounting practice in Alaska
16. Combining accounting and education credentials
17. Other careers for people interested in numbers and education
18. Using teaching skills in accounting careers
19. How legal knowledge supports accounting work
20. Certifications that can strengthen an accounting career
21. Cross-disciplinary career options in Alaska

Quick Answer: Is Accounting a Good Job in Alaska?

Accounting can be a strong career option in Alaska for students who want stable business, government, nonprofit, tax, payroll, audit, or financial reporting roles. The field is especially relevant for people who want work that combines analysis, compliance, technology, and communication with managers or clients.

Alaska accountants earn an above-average wage compared with the national median for the occupation. Accountants in Alaska have a median annual wage of $87,710, compared with the national median wage of $79,880. Employment for accountants in Alaska is projected to grow by 6% through 2031, which suggests continued demand for accounting skills across public and private employers.

The profession also offers several entry points. Some students begin with bookkeeping, accounting technology, or associate-level study. Others complete a bachelor’s degree and continue toward CPA licensure. The largest employers of accountants include tax preparation, payroll, and accounting and bookkeeping services, which account for 24%.

How to Become an Accountant or CPA in Alaska

The route to an accounting career in Alaska depends on the role you want. Bookkeeping, accounting technician, payroll, and clerical accounting jobs may require less education than CPA-track positions. If your goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant, you need to plan for education, the Uniform CPA Exam, and qualifying experience.

Step 1: Choose the Right Accounting Education Path

Most professional accountants begin with college-level business or accounting coursework. A bachelor’s degree is common in the field; 71% of working accountants possess a bachelor’s degree. Some professionals major in accounting from the start, while others move into accounting from business administration, finance, management, or another related major.

Admissions requirements vary by school. In general, undergraduate applicants should expect to submit proof of a high school diploma or equivalent, and some institutions may request standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT. Transfer students should ask how previous business, math, economics, or accounting courses will apply toward the degree.

Alaska requires at least 15 semester hours of accounting coursework for certain CPA eligibility pathways, and CPA-focused bachelor’s programs should help students move toward that requirement. A strong accounting curriculum should include financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, business law, economics, information systems, ethics, and data-focused coursework. Students comparing formats can also review Research.com’s guide to online accounting programs vs on-campus programs.

Step 2: Meet CPA Exam Education Requirements

Students who want CPA licensure should confirm Alaska’s current requirements before enrolling, transferring, or changing majors. CPA rules can change, and the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy is the authority for licensing decisions.

CPA candidates are typically expected to complete 150 credit hours of college education for licensure. Some students meet that total by combining a bachelor’s degree with graduate coursework, additional undergraduate credits, or a master’s program. Students considering a graduate route can compare online masters in accounting programs.

To be eligible to take the CPA exam in Alaska, candidates need:

1. A Bachelor’s degree
2. 24 semester hours in accounting
3. Three semester hours in Economics
4. Three semester hours in Business Law
5. Three semester hours in one of these subjects: Computer science, Statistics, or Math

Accounting bachelor’s programs in Alaska are often designed to cover these subject areas, but students should verify the match course by course. Do not assume that every business degree automatically satisfies CPA exam eligibility.

CPA Exam Eligibility Without an Accounting Degree in Alaska

Students who did not major in accounting may still have a route toward CPA exam eligibility in Alaska if they complete the required business and accounting coursework. For candidates asking how to become a CPA without a degree in accounting in Alaska, the minimum pathway described in the source material includes:

1. Being close to completing 18 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree
2. Completing 15 credit hours of accounting-related coursework

Because this is a licensure issue, students should ask the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy or the school’s accounting advisor to confirm whether their exact credits qualify.

Step 3: Pass the Uniform CPA Exam

The Uniform CPA Exam is a major milestone for candidates who want CPA licensure. Accounting programs can help prepare students by covering audit, financial accounting, tax, regulation, business concepts, and related topics, but passing the exam usually requires dedicated review after coursework is complete.

Students should budget time and money for CPA exam review materials, exam fees, and repeated study. The CPA exam is not just a graduation test; it is a professional licensing exam that requires structured preparation.

Step 4: Complete Alaska Work Experience Requirements

Education and exam completion are not enough on their own. Alaska, like other jurisdictions, requires relevant experience before CPA licensure. The AICPA overview of becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant explains why practical experience is central to the profession.

Alaska offers two main experience pathways:

1. Work under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA. This path allows candidates to learn from an experienced professional while applying accounting, reporting, tax, or audit concepts in practice.
2. Complete one year of public accounting experience. This route typically involves accounting firm or public practice work involving tax, audit, financial reporting, or advisory services for clients.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in Alaska?

The timeline depends on your starting point, enrollment status, transfer credits, exam preparation pace, and work experience. A student beginning after high school and pursuing CPA licensure should expect a multi-year process.

If you already have college credits, an associate degree, or prior accounting coursework, your timeline may be shorter. If you study part time, need prerequisite courses, or delay CPA exam preparation, the timeline may be longer.

Tuition and Costs of Accounting Programs in Alaska

Accounting students should look beyond the advertised tuition price. CPA-track students may need a 120-credit bachelor’s degree plus additional coursework to reach the 150-credit expectation for licensure. That extra coursework can affect total cost, time in school, and financial aid planning.

Recent surveys identified three major barriers to entering the accounting profession: the financial burden of the additional 30 credit hours required for licensure, the time commitment required to study for the CPA exam, and the high cost of CPA preparation courses. These barriers can be especially difficult for students from underrepresented minority groups (AICPA, 2024; NASBA, 2024).

Students who need a lower-cost pathway can compare affordable accounting programs online, but they should still verify accreditation, transfer policies, CPA coursework alignment, and total program cost.

Based on available data, an undergraduate degree in Alaska costs $8,004 for tuition and required fees at a public institution, while tuition and required fees at a private university cost $19,329. The table below lists additional tuition and required fee figures from the source material.

Cost Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

• Does tuition include online course fees, technology fees, lab fees, or proctored exam costs?
• Will transfer credits reduce the number of courses you must take?
• Does the program help students reach the 150-credit CPA expectation, or will you need extra coursework elsewhere?
• Are accounting scholarships, employer tuition benefits, or military benefits available?
• How much should you budget for CPA exam review materials and exam-related expenses?

Best Accounting Schools in Alaska for 2026

The best accounting school for you depends on your goal. A student seeking CPA licensure may prioritize an AACSB-accredited bachelor’s program with CPA-aligned coursework. A working adult may prefer an online or transfer-friendly option. A student who wants faster workforce entry may prefer an accounting technician certificate or applied associate program.

The schools below offer accounting-related programs in Alaska. Use this list as a starting point, then confirm current admissions requirements, tuition, modality, accreditation, transfer rules, and CPA alignment directly with each institution.

1. University of Alaska Anchorage B.B.A. in Accounting

1. Accreditation: Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
2. Type of Institution: Public
3. Programs Offered: Accounting B.B.A.

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with a broad business foundation. The program is designed for students interested in public accounting, private-sector accounting, government accounting, or nonprofit accounting.

Students can use the degree as preparation for professional credentials such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). UAA also supports accounting students through an accounting club, workshops, career events, professional networking, and scholarship opportunities such as the KPMG Accounting Scholarship and Lenore and George Hedla Accounting Scholarship.

2. Alaska Pacific University B.A. in Accounting

1. Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
2. Type of Institution: Private
3. Programs Offered: B.A. in Accounting

The Accounting program at Alaska Pacific University emphasizes professional competencies, including accounting knowledge, ethical behavior, research, and applied problem-solving.

Prospective students should pay close attention to admissions expectations. The program requires prior accounting or related business experience, or an AA in Accounting. Applicants also need accounting foundation knowledge equivalent to at least one year of basic college-level accounting. Students who do not meet that preparation level may need to complete specific accounting coursework before entering the program.

3. Alaska Career College Business Administration and Accounting Technology

1. Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
2. Type of Institution: Private for-profit institution
3. Programs Offered: Accounting Technology

Alaska Career College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree program focused on accounting administration, accounting concepts, and accounting software. The program is taught by experienced professionals and covers applied skills such as transaction analysis and financial statement preparation.

Graduates may pursue accounting support roles in private companies, public organizations, nonprofit entities, and government agencies. Coursework includes payroll accounting, advanced accounting, corporate accounting, cost accounting, management accounting, Microcomputer Accounting/Quickbooks, records management, business ethics, Microsoft Windows & Office Database Access, business law, electronic calculations, and human resources & organizational management.

4. University of Alaska Fairbanks BBA in Accounting

1. Accreditation: Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
2. Type of Institution: Public
3. Programs Offered: BBA in Accounting

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is built around a business foundation and a pathway for students interested in becoming Certified Public Accountants.

The program highlights small class sizes, student clubs, career counseling, networking, internship opportunities, and development of both technical and communication skills. According to the university, its BBA in Accounting is the only program of its kind in Alaska accredited by the Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

5. University of Alaska Southeast Accounting Technician Certificate

1. Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
2. Type of Institution: Public
3. Programs Offered: Accounting Technician Certificate

The UAS Accounting Technician Certificate is a non-degree pathway for students who want practical accounting preparation. It may fit students seeking entry-level accounting work, current accounting employees who want more formal training, or learners who are not ready to commit to a full bachelor’s degree.

The certificate covers foundational areas such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. Students considering this route should ask whether credits can later transfer into an associate or bachelor’s program.

How to Compare Accounting Programs in Alaska

A school’s reputation matters, but it should not be the only reason you enroll. The strongest accounting program for one student may be a poor fit for another if the format, prerequisites, CPA alignment, or cost structure does not match the student’s goals.

Accreditation

Start by confirming institutional and business-program accreditation. Accounting and business programs may hold accreditation from agencies such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Accreditation can influence transferability, employer confidence, graduate school options, and CPA-related planning.

Curriculum and CPA Alignment

Review the actual course list, not just the program title. A CPA-focused curriculum should include financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, ethics, business law, economics, data or technology coursework, and enough upper-level accounting content to support CPA exam preparation.

Faculty and Professional Connections

Faculty experience can affect how practical and current your accounting education feels. Look for instructors with public accounting, audit, tax, government, nonprofit, corporate accounting, or research backgrounds. Also ask whether the program brings in local employers, alumni, CPA firms, and government finance professionals.

Format: Online, Campus, or Hybrid

Online programs can help working students and rural Alaska residents avoid relocation or commuting. Campus programs may offer stronger in-person networking, clubs, advising, and internship access. Hybrid programs can provide a balance of flexibility and local connection.

Career Support

Ask about internship placement, accounting career fairs, resume support, CPA exam advising, employer partnerships, and alumni outcomes. A program with strong career support can be more valuable than a cheaper program that leaves students to navigate the job market alone.

How Can an Accounting Internship Benefit Your Career Path?

An accounting internship can turn classroom learning into evidence of job readiness. Employers often want candidates who can work with real transactions, deadlines, software, reconciliations, and professional communication—not only students who have completed coursework.

• Applied accounting practice: Internships help students use financial accounting, tax, audit, budgeting, and reporting concepts in workplace situations.
• Skill development: Interns can build experience with spreadsheets, accounting systems, documentation, account reconciliation, financial analysis, and client or department communication.
• Professional network: Supervisors, coworkers, alumni, and clients can become future references, mentors, or job leads.
• Career testing: Exposure to tax, audit, nonprofit accounting, government finance, payroll, or corporate accounting can help students choose a specialization before graduation.
• Resume strength: Internship experience shows employers that you have worked in an accounting environment and understand professional expectations.
• Job pipeline: Some internships convert into full-time offers, especially when students perform well and the employer has hiring needs.

Why the Right School Matters for an Accounting Degree

The school you choose can affect more than your classroom experience. It can influence your CPA readiness, internship access, professional network, transfer options, cost, and confidence in the job market.

Students comparing accounting programs should also look at the broader business school environment. The best business schools in Alaska may offer accounting students stronger access to business faculty, employer relationships, alumni networks, student organizations, and career services.

Before choosing a program, compare each school against your long-term goal. A CPA-track student should prioritize CPA coursework alignment and upper-level accounting depth. A working adult may value flexible scheduling and transfer credit. A student seeking quick entry into accounting support work may prefer an applied associate degree or certificate.

Questions to Ask Admissions or an Accounting Advisor

• Does the program prepare students for Alaska CPA exam eligibility?
• How does the school help students reach the 150-credit CPA expectation?
• What accounting internships are available in Alaska?
• Which employers recruit from the program?
• How many accounting credits are upper-division courses?
• Can online students access the same advising and career services as campus students?
• What scholarships are available specifically for accounting students?

Why Choose Online Accounting Programs for Aspiring CPAs in Alaska?

Online accounting programs can be a practical option for Alaska students who cannot relocate, commute regularly, or attend classes on a fixed daytime schedule. They may be especially helpful for working adults, military-connected students, parents, and students in rural areas.

• Flexibility: Asynchronous courses can make it easier to study around work, caregiving, and seasonal employment.
• Access: Online study can expand the number of accounting programs available to Alaska residents without requiring relocation.
• Potential cost savings: Students may avoid housing, commuting, and some campus-related expenses, though they should still check fees and tuition policies.
• Accelerated options: Some online programs offer faster terms or condensed courses for students who can handle a heavier pace.
• Technology exposure: Online coursework often requires students to use digital collaboration tools, spreadsheets, accounting software, and learning platforms.
• CPA-focused curriculum: Reputable online accounting programs should cover financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, business law, and other CPA-relevant topics.
• Virtual networking: Online programs may offer discussion boards, virtual career events, alumni groups, and remote advising, but students should verify how active these supports are.

Can Accounting Skills Support Leadership in Alaska Healthcare Finance?

Accounting skills can transfer into healthcare finance roles, especially in budgeting, cost analysis, revenue cycle support, grant tracking, and resource allocation. Alaska’s healthcare environment includes remote service delivery, complex logistics, and evolving infrastructure needs, so finance professionals who understand both accounting and healthcare operations can be valuable.

Students interested in interdisciplinary healthcare careers can explore related clinical and administrative pathways. For example, Research.com’s guide on how to become a nurse practitioner in Alaska shows how healthcare education and finance knowledge can intersect in leadership settings.

How Does CPA Salary in Alaska Compare to Other States?

CPA compensation in Alaska can be affected by experience, employer type, specialization, location, cost of living, and the demand for accounting services. Accountants with CPA licensure, audit experience, tax expertise, or management responsibilities may have stronger negotiating power than candidates with only entry-level experience.

Students and professionals comparing earnings across locations can review Research.com’s state-by-state CPA salary guide. Use salary data as a planning tool, not a guarantee. Individual results depend on credentials, job performance, employer budget, industry, and local labor conditions.

What Are the Advantages of Specializing in Forensic Accounting in Alaska?

Forensic accounting combines accounting, investigation, documentation, and fraud analysis. This specialization can be useful for employers that need help identifying irregular transactions, supporting litigation, strengthening internal controls, or meeting compliance obligations.

In Alaska, forensic accounting skills may be relevant in corporate finance, government, insurance, law enforcement-adjacent work, and consulting. Students interested in evidence analysis and investigative methods can also compare related paths such as a forensic science degree in Alaska.

How Technology Is Shaping Accounting Education and Careers in Alaska

Accounting work is increasingly digital. Employers expect accountants to use spreadsheets, accounting platforms, payroll systems, tax software, reporting tools, and data analysis methods. Tools such as QuickBooks, Xero, and SAP have changed how financial data is entered, reconciled, analyzed, and reported.

Accounting programs are responding by adding software practice, analytics, automation concepts, and technology-focused assignments. Students should look for programs that teach not only accounting rules but also how to work with data, identify errors, produce reports, and communicate financial insights to non-accountants.

Artificial intelligence and automation are also changing the profession. Routine tasks such as data entry, transaction categorization, and basic reconciliations may become more automated. That does not eliminate the need for accountants, but it raises the value of judgment, ethics, interpretation, internal controls, advisory skills, and data literacy.

Students who want a faster route can compare an accounting degree online fast, but speed should not come at the expense of accreditation, CPA alignment, or adequate support.

Can Accounting Skills Lead to Healthcare Management Opportunities in Alaska?

Accounting knowledge can support healthcare management roles that involve budgeting, cost control, billing, revenue cycle management, compliance, and financial planning. Professionals who understand both financial systems and healthcare workflows may be able to contribute to operational improvement in clinics, hospitals, and health organizations.

Students considering healthcare administration alternatives may also want to understand related administrative credentials. Research.com’s guide on how to be a medical coder in Alaska explains another pathway where finance, documentation, compliance, and healthcare operations overlap.

What Are the Unique Challenges in Accounting Practice in Alaska?

Accounting professionals in Alaska may face challenges tied to geography, industry concentration, remote work, seasonal business cycles, and limited access to certain in-person professional development opportunities. These factors can affect networking, recruiting, client communication, audit logistics, and financial forecasting.

Students should prepare by building strong technology skills, joining professional networks early, seeking internships, and staying current on licensing and continuing education expectations. Those focused specifically on public accounting should review CPA requirements in Alaska before choosing courses or changing degree plans.

Can a Dual Degree in Accounting and Education Improve Career Options in Alaska?

Combining accounting and education can make sense for students interested in financial literacy, school finance, business education, training, nonprofit administration, or education-sector budgeting. This combination may also support roles that require explaining financial information to students, staff, boards, or community stakeholders.

If you are weighing teaching and accounting together, Research.com’s guide on what degree do you need to be a teacher in Alaska can help you understand the education side of that decision.

Other Career Paths for People Interested in Numbers and Education in Alaska

Not every student who likes numbers needs to become an accountant. Some may prefer teaching, school administration, education data work, budgeting, financial aid advising, or training roles. Students who enjoy explaining concepts may find education careers more satisfying than audit, tax, or financial reporting work.

For example, students interested in elementary education can review the elementary school teacher requirements in Alaska to compare certification and education expectations with accounting pathways.

How Can Accounting Professionals Benefit from Teaching Skills in Alaska?

Accountants who can teach, train, and explain complex information often stand out. These skills are useful when presenting budgets, training staff on accounting procedures, explaining audit findings, helping clients understand tax obligations, or mentoring junior accountants.

Professionals who want to strengthen their instructional skills can explore education-related pathways such as how to become a high school math teacher in Alaska. Even if you do not become a teacher, the ability to communicate numbers clearly can improve your effectiveness as an accountant.

How Can Legal Knowledge Complement an Accounting Career in Alaska?

Accounting work often intersects with contracts, regulations, tax rules, audits, business formation, documentation, and dispute resolution. Legal knowledge can help accountants understand risk, communicate with attorneys, strengthen compliance procedures, and support more careful financial decision-making.

Students interested in law-adjacent work can explore how to become a paralegal in Alaska as a complementary path. Legal training does not replace accounting credentials, but it can broaden career options in compliance, forensic accounting, tax support, and business administration.

How Can Supplementary Certifications Enhance Your Accounting Career in Alaska?

A degree can qualify you for many accounting roles, but additional credentials may help you demonstrate expertise in a narrower area. Depending on your goals, you may consider certificates or certifications related to management accounting, forensic accounting, fraud examination, bookkeeping, payroll, data analytics, or financial analysis.

Students who want targeted training without immediately pursuing a full degree can compare accounting certificate programs. Before enrolling, ask whether credits are transferable, whether the credential is recognized by employers, and whether it supports your CPA or non-CPA career plan.

Can Cross-Disciplinary Expertise Broaden Career Opportunities in Alaska?

Accounting pairs well with fields that require budgeting, resource allocation, compliance, grant management, or financial reporting. Public administration, healthcare, education, nonprofit leadership, legal support, and planning roles can all benefit from accounting knowledge.

For students interested in public-sector budgets and community development, Research.com’s guide on how to become an urban planner in Alaska offers another example of a field where financial analysis and strategic planning can overlap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Accounting School in Alaska

Preparing for Your Accounting Studies

Before applying, decide whether you want fast workforce entry, a bachelor’s degree, CPA licensure, or a specialized accounting career. That decision should guide the type of school, credential, cost structure, and course plan you choose.

Visit each school’s website, request a degree plan, and contact admissions or the accounting department. Ask direct questions about CPA eligibility, internships, transfer credits, faculty support, online course availability, scholarships, and career outcomes.

If you are not ready for a bachelor’s degree, an associate program may be a practical first step. Research.com’s guide to an associates in accounting degree explains how that credential can support entry-level roles or later transfer into a four-year program.

Key Insights

• Accounting can be a practical Alaska career path: Alaska accountants have a median annual wage of $87,710, above the national median wage of $79,880, and employment is projected to grow by 6% through 2031.
• The CPA route requires planning: Students should map coursework, CPA exam eligibility, 150-credit planning, and one year of experience before choosing a program.
• Program type should match your goal: Certificates and applied associate degrees can support faster entry into accounting support roles, while bachelor’s programs are stronger for CPA-track and professional accounting careers.
• Cost is more than tuition: CPA candidates may need extra credits, exam preparation, fees, and time away from full-time work, so total cost matters more than sticker price.
• Accreditation and curriculum are essential: Do not assume a program meets CPA expectations. Confirm accreditation, required accounting hours, business law, economics, and technology coursework.
• Technology skills are no longer optional: Accounting students should build strength in spreadsheets, accounting systems, data analysis, and digital reporting tools.
• Internships can change outcomes: Practical experience helps students test specialties, build networks, strengthen resumes, and move more smoothly into accounting jobs.

What Are the Daily Responsibilities and Tasks of an Accountant?

Accountants prepare, review, organize, and interpret financial information. Their work may include preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, reviewing income and expenses, supporting tax filings, assisting with audits, managing budgets, monitoring compliance, and explaining financial results to managers, clients, or stakeholders.

Many accountants also analyze trends, identify errors, recommend cost controls, support investment or budgeting decisions, and use accounting software to maintain accurate records. The exact duties depend on the role. A tax accountant, auditor, payroll specialist, government accountant, nonprofit accountant, and corporate accounting manager may all use accounting knowledge in different ways.

References:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants & National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. (2025). Model CPA licensure pathway updates. https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-and-nasba-approve-model-legislation-for-new-cpa-licensure-path
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (n.d.). Continuing professional education (CPE) requirements. https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/toolkit/cpe-requirements
• Alaska Board of Public Accountancy. (n.d.). Certified Public Accountant licensing requirements. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofPublicAccountancy.aspx
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. (2025). NASBA releases CPA mobile app for future CPAs. https://nasba.org/blog/2025/09/05/nasba-cpa-mobile-app-release/
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. (n.d.). CPA exam. https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. (2025). Enforcement law and rule updates for 2024–2025. https://nasba.org/blog/2025/07/01/enforcement-law-and-rule-updates-for-2024-2025/
• U.S. Department of Labor. (2024). Business and financial occupations overview. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Accountants and auditors: Occupational outlook handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm