In 2025, the CPA shortage continues to reshape finance hiring nationwide. According to The Wall Street Journal (“Aspiring CPAs Consider Ditching Grad School Plans as States Revamp Laws,” 2025) [1], the number of people sitting for the CPA exam has declined by more than 30 percent since 2016.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 120,000 accounting and auditing openings each year, while the 2025 AICPA/NASBA Trends Report shows a shrinking pipeline of new CPAs and a workforce increasingly concentrated in later-career age groups. This isn't a short-term hiring cycle.
We're also seeing very high demand for many accounting positions through 2025, from entry-level positions up to senior-level management positions. Staff accountants are essential to the day-to-day accuracy of an organization's financial operations and are often the backbone of an accounting department.
Absolutely. While public accounting firms highly value CPA certification, corporate employers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations also prefer CPA-certified candidates for senior financial positions. The credential provides credibility and expertise valuable across all sectors.
2025 CPA Exam testing - Core sections
The Core sections of the CPA Exam (FAR, AUD, and REG) will be available with continuous testing in 2025, so you will have significantly more freedom in when you can schedule your exam.
According to the AICPA, the section with the lowest industry-average pass rate from Q1 2024 – Q2 2025 is BAR, at an average 40% pass rate. This implies that BAR is the hardest CPA Exam section—or at least the hardest to pass. FAR is a very close second, with just a 41% pass rate.
An increase in regulatory complexity, coupled with a growing need for business advisory services, is spiking the demand for CPAs and other accountants. About 124,200 new jobs per year are expected to open up for accountants and auditors through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Can accountants make 300k? Yes, it is possible for accountants to make $300,000 a year or more, especially those working in public accounting or executive finance roles. However, salaries at this high level typically require extensive experience, professional qualifications, and a track record of success.
REG pass rates rose under CPA Evolution from 58% in 2023 to 64% in 2025. The section covers federal taxation, business law, and ethics requirements. The improvement reflects the shift of substantial content to the new TCP discipline section, making the REG core section less voluminous.
The CPA credential remains a cornerstone of the profession, but new data indicate its prominence is steadily declining. Between 2020 and 2024, the average percentage of staff holding CPA licenses across all firms dropped from 56.0 percent to 48.4 percent.
Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant? It is possible, but labor market data suggests it is rare for accountants to earn such a lofty annual salary.
In 2025, the average base salary for a Chartered Accountant in Canada is around CAD 68,000 (₹41.8 lakh) per year. Starting salaries usually fall between CAD 54,000 to CAD 87,000 (₹33.2 lakh – ₹53.4 lakh), depending on city, firm, and work profile.
2025 was the worst year for hiring since 2020, December jobs report shows. The U.S. added 50,000 jobs last month, a mixed report capping off a difficult year for the labor market.
The AICPA/CIMA 2022 Annual Report (https://tinyurl.com/2p8jzfsp) reveals a 7% decrease from 2021 to 2022 for the total number of candidates taking the CPA exam.
The job outlook for accountants over the next decade remains generally positive but varies based on the profession's ability to adapt to these advancements. While automation may reduce some traditional roles, there will continue to be strong demand for accountants with advanced skills and strategic expertise.
Short answer: AI will not replace accountants. It will automate many repetitive accounting tasks, like data entry, invoice processing, reconciliations, and reporting, but accountants will still be needed for work that requires judgment, compliance expertise, interpretation, and/or strategic decision-making.
It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.
A common complaint from CPA candidates concerns the enormity of the exam material. Since accounting concerns itself with frequently changing statutes and laws, there are many details one has to commit to memory. Another way to put it is that there are more than 600 key points packaged into representative tasks.
Depending on the Discipline you choose, you can expect your CPA Exam study time to be between 400 and 600 hours, or between 100 and 150 hours per section. But with a smart study strategy and the right materials, you can keep from getting overwhelmed while making sure you're ready to walk into the exam with confidence.
A $400K salary job typically refers to a high-paying position in industries like medicine, law, finance, or technology. These roles often require advanced degrees, specialized skills, and years of experience. Examples include surgeons, top-level executives (CEOs, CFOs), investment bankers, and successful entrepreneurs.
A CPA's salary is often in the high five figures, with senior CPAs in management earning six figures. CPAs work in a variety of sectors, including forensic accounting, tax preparation, auditing, bookkeeping, and information technology, in both the commercial and public sectors, as well as for the federal government.
Con: Accounting Can Be Stressful at Times
Accountants are under high “stress during busy seasons, especially during tax season, when the hours can be very long,” says Dr. Machuca. Despite the benefits, an accounting career often brings tight deadlines, long hours, and high volumes of work during the annual tax season.
A large segment of experienced accountants are reaching retirement age, and younger generations often prioritize work-life balance, purpose-driven work, and flexible career paths. This causes organizations with more traditional accounting roles to struggle to appeal to emerging talent.
Comparison between CA and CPA
It is difficult to determine which of these professions offers a higher salary, as the salary of a CA or CPA can vary greatly based on several factors. However, in general, CAs tend to earn slightly more than CPAs in India.