The median salary gap between a licensed CPA and an uncertified accountant is roughly $30,000 per year—and that gap widens at the senior level. If you're already working in accounting or finance and haven't pursued an accounting certification yet, that number is worth sitting with for a moment. This guide cuts through the noise on which certifications actually move the needle, how long they take, and which courses are worth your time and money.
Which Accounting Certification Is Right for You?
There's no universal answer, but the decision usually comes down to three factors: the work you want to do, who you want to work for, and how much exam time you can realistically commit. Here's how the main credentials stack up:
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
The CPA is the most recognized accounting certification in the United States. It's required for signing audit reports and tax returns filed with the SEC. If you want to work in public accounting, corporate finance leadership, or government auditing, this is the baseline credential. The exam has four sections, requires 150 credit hours of education (in most states), and has a combined pass rate of around 45-50% per section. It's difficult, but the ROI is well-documented.
CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
The CMA is issued by the IMA and targets corporate finance and management accounting roles—think FP&A, cost accounting, and CFO-track positions in industry. Two exam parts, lower barrier to entry than the CPA, and increasingly recognized globally. If you're not interested in public accounting or audit, the CMA often provides a better return per hour of study time.
EA (Enrolled Agent)
The EA is the IRS's own credential for tax professionals. It authorizes you to represent taxpayers before the IRS—something CPAs and attorneys can also do, but EAs specialize in it. Three exam parts, no education requirements beyond passing, and strong demand in tax practices and solo consulting. Underrated relative to the CPA for people who want to stay in tax work.
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
Issued by the IIA, the CIA is the go-to credential for internal audit professionals. Required or strongly preferred at most large corporations and financial institutions. Three exam parts, solid global recognition.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
The dominant accounting certification outside the U.S.—particularly in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. If you're working internationally or for a multinational, ACCA carries serious weight. The qualification is more coursework-heavy than the CPA but covers similar ground.
How Long Each Accounting Certification Takes
Estimates vary, but here are realistic timelines based on average candidate data:
- CPA: 12–18 months of study after completing education requirements. Most candidates take 12–24 months to clear all four sections due to the 18-month rolling window.
- CMA: 6–12 months. The IMA estimates 170 hours of study per part. Most candidates complete both parts within a year.
- EA: 3–6 months. Each part is narrower in scope. Candidates with tax experience often pass faster.
- CIA: 6–12 months. Three parts, strong focus on internal control frameworks and risk management.
- ACCA: 3–4 years if starting from scratch with no exemptions. Faster with prior accounting degree.
What These Certifications Actually Pay
Salary data from Robert Half's 2026 Accounting & Finance Salary Guide and the IMA's annual compensation survey gives a clearer picture than generic claims:
- CPA: Average salary $78,000–$130,000 depending on specialization and firm size. Partners at Big Four and regional firms earn significantly more.
- CMA: IMA's survey puts CMA holders at a 58% premium in total compensation over non-certified peers in the U.S. Average around $115,000 at mid-career.
- EA: $55,000–$85,000 in practice settings; $80,000–$110,000 as a self-employed tax professional with an established client base.
- CIA: $85,000–$120,000 for experienced internal auditors at large companies.
The CMA premium is often undersold. Many finance professionals who've held both credentials say the CMA was a faster path to senior corporate finance roles than the CPA would have been for them specifically.
Top Accounting Certification Courses Worth Taking
The courses below were selected for rating, content depth, and instructor quality—not just name recognition. Each has a specific use case.
Financial Accounting Fundamentals — Coursera
Rated 9.7/10 and built on the University of Virginia Darden School curriculum, this is one of the cleaner foundations for anyone preparing for CPA FAR or CMA Part 1. The emphasis on interpreting financial statements (not just preparing them) reflects what exam sections actually test.
Introduction to Financial Accounting — Coursera
Penn's Wharton School version, also rated 9.7. Where the Darden course leans analytical, this one is more procedural—journal entries, T-accounts, the full debit/credit cycle. If you're newer to accounting or need to close gaps before sitting for a certification exam, start here.
Accounting in 60 Minutes — Udemy
Rated 9.2 and genuinely concise. Not a replacement for a full exam prep course, but useful as a pre-study refresher or a quick diagnostic to identify where your conceptual gaps are before you invest time in heavier prep material.
The Complete Introduction to Accounting and Finance — Udemy
Rated 9.0 and broader in scope than the title suggests—covers managerial accounting concepts that align directly with CMA Part 1 topics, not just financial accounting fundamentals. Good for career changers who need to cover a lot of ground efficiently.
AI Automation for Accounting: APIs, n8n & Financial AI — Udemy
Rated 9.2 and increasingly relevant. This course won't help you pass a certification exam, but it addresses a real skills gap: accountants who can automate reconciliation workflows and build AI-assisted reporting pipelines are commanding higher salaries. Worth adding to your stack once you're certified.
The Complete Advanced Accounting and Finance Course — Udemy
Rated 8.8 and covers consolidation accounting, lease accounting under ASC 842/IFRS 16, and segment reporting—topics that appear in CPA FAR and CMA Part 1 but are underserved in most introductory courses. If you've passed foundational courses and want advanced prep, this fills the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accounting Certification
What's the easiest accounting certification to get?
The EA (Enrolled Agent) has the lowest barrier to entry of the main credentials—no education requirements, three focused exam parts, and a pass rate around 70-80% per section. If you have tax experience, it's achievable in three to six months of part-time study. "Easiest" is relative, but the EA is both attainable and genuinely marketable, which isn't true of every entry-level cert.
Do I need a degree to get an accounting certification?
It depends on the certification. The EA requires no degree—just passing the three-part exam. The CPA requires 150 credit hours in most states, which typically means a bachelor's plus additional coursework. The CMA requires a bachelor's degree (in any field) and two years of relevant work experience. The ACCA offers exemptions based on prior education but doesn't strictly require a degree to start.
Is the CPA worth it if I don't want to work in public accounting?
It depends on your target role. For CFO-track positions at large corporations, the CPA is still a recognized differentiator. But for FP&A, corporate accounting, and internal finance roles, the CMA often maps more directly to the job requirements and takes less time to earn. If public accounting isn't your goal, evaluate the CMA first before committing to CPA exam prep.
How much does it cost to get an accounting certification?
Rough totals including exam fees and prep materials:
- CPA: $3,000–$5,000 (exam fees vary by state, plus $1,500–$3,000 for review course)
- CMA: $1,500–$2,500 (IMA membership required; fee discounts for students)
- EA: $600–$1,200 (Prometric exam fees plus prep course if needed)
- CIA: $1,200–$1,800
Many employers reimburse exam fees for staff pursuing CPA or CMA credentials—worth negotiating before paying out of pocket.
Can I prepare for an accounting certification entirely online?
Yes. The major CPA review providers (Becker, Roger, Wiley) are all online. CMA prep is also primarily online through IMA's own resources and third-party providers like Gleim and Hock. The actual exams for CPA, CMA, and EA are all taken at Prometric testing centers, so you won't need in-person classes—but you will need to physically show up for the exams.
What accounting certification should I get first if I'm starting from zero?
If you have no accounting background: take a foundation course (the Wharton or Darden courses above are solid), then decide based on your career direction. If you want to stay in tax work, study for the EA—it's the fastest credentialed path. If you want corporate finance, pursue the CMA. Reserve the CPA for when you're committed to the 150-hour education requirement and have the study time to spend 12-18 months on exam prep.
Bottom Line
Most people overthink the accounting certification decision. Here's the short version: if you want to sign audit reports or work at a CPA firm, you need the CPA. If you want to work in corporate finance and FP&A, the CMA will get you there faster. If you're a tax specialist, the EA is undervalued and underutilized. The ACCA is the right call if you're working outside the U.S.
None of these certifications are easy, and courses alone won't carry you through the exams—but strong foundational coursework shortens your total prep time significantly. Start with the Wharton Introduction to Financial Accounting or the Darden Financial Accounting Fundamentals to verify your baseline, then move into dedicated exam prep for whichever credential fits your path.
The salary premium is real. The question is which certification earns it fastest given your specific situation.
