{"id":13161,"date":"2026-06-24T10:49:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.academy.intuit.com\/?p=13161"},"modified":"2026-06-24T10:49:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:49:55","slug":"cpa-vs-accountant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/academy.intuit.com\/blog\/job-readiness\/accounting\/cpa-vs-accountant\/","title":{"rendered":"Accountant vs. CPA: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Accounting<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

Accountant vs. CPA: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n
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Intuit Academy Blog Team<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

11 Mins read<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The terms CPA and accountant often get tossed around interchangeably, but they describe 2 different things. Learning the distinction is a must if you\u2019re thinking about a career in accounting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accountants offer a broad range of services, including accounting, tax prep, and bookkeeping. A certified public accountant (CPA) does much of the same work but holds a state-issued license that signals a higher level of training and professional accountability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPAs have passed the CPA exam and obtained a license from their state\u2019s board of accountancy. Many CPAs follow a 150-semester-hour education path with at least 1 year of experience, but requirements vary by state. Some jurisdictions recognize alternative pathways involving fewer credits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we explore how the accountant and CPA career paths stack up and how to decide which direction makes sense for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Points<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n