Will the new CPA Exam be harder in 2024?

The 2024 CPA Exam (CPA Evolution) isn't inherently "harder" but different, focusing more on critical thinking, data analytics, and tech, with a new "Core + Discipline" model making it feel harder for some due to less familiar content in disciplines (BAR, ISC, TCP) and content shifts in Core sections (AUD, FAR, REG). While some felt FAR got easier, new discipline exams (especially BAR/ISC) tested advanced, unfamiliar material, leading to lower pass rates in those areas and making the overall experience more challenging for those not prepared for the specialized focus.

Which CPA Exam is the hardest in 2024?

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.

How has the CPA Exam changed in 2024?

In 2024, the CPA exam will feature three core examinations and one discipline exam of your choice. These core exams encompass: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

Is the CPA Exam easier in 2025?

How hard is the CPA Exam? From Q1 2024 - Q3 2025, the overall pass rate was just over 50%, which shows that the exam is difficult, but certainly not impossible.

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Yes, a CPA can absolutely make $300k, especially in senior leadership roles like Partner, CFO, or Director in large firms or corporations, or by owning a successful practice, though it typically requires significant experience (10+ years), specialization, business development, and working in high-cost areas like major cities, with partners at large firms often earning well over $300k. 

How I Passed The CPA Exam & Is The CPA Worth It?

Is there a CPA decline in 2025?

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.

What's the hardest part of the CPA Exam?

Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) is widely considered the hardest CPA exam section due to its immense scope, comprehensive topics (like US GAAP), and typically the lowest pass rates, though difficulty is subjective, with some finding Auditing & Attestation (AUD) or Regulation (REG) tougher based on personal strengths, especially for non-accounting grads finding BEC hard.
 

How many people passed the CPA Exam in 2024?

74,165 candidates took the CPA exam in 2024, of which 27,994 were new candidates, with 13,070 candidates passing their final section. By comparison, 84,980 candidates took the exam in 2023, of which 41,415 were new candidates, with 20,036 passing their final section.

Which country's CPA is the easiest?

It's a prestigious and highly respected designation that prepares you for an accounting career in Canada. It also has higher pass rates and facilitated modules. US CPA exams are somewhat easier due to the objective format of the questions and extended exam windows.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Is series 7 harder than CPA?

The CPA exam is generally considered harder than the Series 7 because it's much broader, covering accounting, auditing, regulation, and business, while the Series 7 focuses specifically on securities, requiring four times the material (four exams vs. one), with lower pass rates for each CPA section (around 50%) compared to the Series 7's ~65-70%, making the CPA a greater test of endurance and comprehensive knowledge. However, the Series 7's length and detailed investment questions can be challenging, especially without prior finance knowledge, notes Sacramento Bee and Miami Herald. 

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like partner at a large firm, C-suite executive (like CFO) at a major corporation, or owning a highly successful firm, often involving significant experience, high-leverage skills, business development, and substantial sacrifice, far beyond typical staff accountant roles. 

Can I pass the CPA in 3 months?

You may wonder, can you really pass all four sections of the CPA exam in 3 months? The answer is yes, you can! While the preparation will be tedious, it's definitely doable.

Is a CPA harder than a bar?

There's no definitive answer, as it's subjective, but many who've taken both find the CPA Exam harder due to its four distinct sections, breadth of technical accounting knowledge, and the need to pass all within 18 months (a marathon), while the Bar Exam is often seen as a more intense, physically demanding sprint over two days testing broad legal concepts. The CPA's difficulty often comes from its multifaceted nature and the challenge of mastering different accounting/tax areas, whereas the Bar's challenge lies in the sheer volume of legal information and mental stamina required over consecutive days. 

Which CPA Exam is the hardest in 2025?

In 2025, the Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) discipline has statistically been the hardest CPA exam section based on the lowest pass rates (around 38-40%), closely followed by Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), due to its massive content and complexity, though some find AUD's subjectivity tough; however, difficulty is subjective, with BAR and FAR being the toughest statistically, while Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) is generally the easiest. 

What percent of people pass all 4 CPA exams first try?

Only a small percentage of candidates pass all four CPA exam sections on their first try, with estimates generally falling between 13.9% and 20%, though some older data suggests around 13.6%. While individual section pass rates vary (often 40-70% depending on the section and quarter), successfully completing all four parts on the first attempt is a challenging feat, with many candidates taking longer or needing multiple attempts to pass all sections within the 18-month window, say sources like Accounting Today and UWorld. 

Is the CPA Exam harder now?

Is the CPA exam harder than it used to be? Yes, the CPA exam is just as hard today as it was 30 years ago. Although the AICPA makes changes to the CPA exam every year, they make a conscious effort to maintain the professional standards and level of difficulty.

Why are CPAs quitting?

CPAs are quitting due to significant burnout from long hours, low pay compared to other fields, a lack of work-life balance, and the perception of the work as monotonous, with many seeking more creative or tech-focused roles, compounded by a widening talent shortage and concerns about AI impacting jobs. Many feel stagnant, seeing limited advancement beyond senior roles, and a desire for more autonomy and rewarding work pushes them to industries like tech or finance. 

Is CPA losing its value?

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.

Is CPA still worth it in 2025?

Yes, the CPA remains highly valuable in 2025, offering enhanced job security, higher earning potential, increased credibility, and broader opportunities in a tight market with growing demand, acting as a career catalyst against automation by validating specialized skills for leadership roles in audit, tax, finance, and consulting, despite challenges with entry-level pay and work-life balance. 

Do CPAs become millionaires?

Breaking the Stereotype. While accounting might seem like a conservative and unexciting career choice, history tells a different story. Many of today's billionaires started their careers as accountants, and their financial acumen laid the groundwork for their later success.

What profession makes $400,000 a year?

Professions making $400,000 a year generally fall into medicine (specialty surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists), high-level corporate roles (CEOs, C-Suite), finance (investment banking, top finance execs), law (partners), technology (senior engineers, tech sales), and top-tier sales (medical equipment, enterprise software). These roles demand significant education, experience, specialized skills, or high performance, often with compensation including bonuses and stock. 

What salary is top 1% in the USA?

To be in the top 1% of earners in the U.S., you generally need a household income between approximately $700,000 and over $1 million, with the exact amount varying significantly by state, though national estimates hover around the $790,000 mark for average individual wages, while some analyses show thresholds from under $400k in low-cost states to over $1 million in high-cost areas like Connecticut.