Michigan CPA requirements

Wondering how to become a CPA in Michigan? The first thing you'll want to do on the road to becoming a CPA is to check the requirements to become a CPA in Michigan, as the Michigan Board of Accountancy will ultimately license you. This page serves as a resource for Michigan's eligibility requirements for the CPA Exam, earning CPA licensure and maintaining licensure through CPE credits. 

Michigan CPA Exam requirements

Getting a CPA license in each state mandates different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. In order to be eligible to take the CPA Exam in Michigan, candidates must meet the Michigan CPA requirements.

Michigan CPA Exam education requirements

Before taking the CPA Exam in Michigan, you must meet a set of education requirements. First, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. You must also have completed 120 semester hours with a concentration in accounting.

Minimum education requirements

In order to be eligible for the Uniform CPA Examination in Michigan, you must meet one of the two following requirements:

1. Have completed a curriculum required for a baccalaureate degree consisting of not less than 120 semester hours with a concentration in accounting from a regionally accredited U.S. educational institution, including the completion of:
   1. 3 semester hours (4.5 quarter) hours in auditing
   2. 21 semester (31.5 quarter) hours in accounting, including study in each of the following:
      1. Financial accounting and accounting theory
      2. Managerial accounting, including cost accounting
      3. Accounting systems and controls
      4. U.S. federal taxation
      5. Governmental/fund accounting
   3. 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in general business subjects

OR

2. Have completed a curriculum required for a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent educational institution) consisting of not less than 120 semester hours including the completion of:
   1. 3 semester hours (4.5 quarter) hours in auditing
   2. 21 semester (31.5 quarter) hours in accounting, including study in each of the following:
      1. Financial accounting and accounting theory
      2. Managerial accounting, including cost accounting
      3. Accounting systems and controls
      4. U.S. federal taxation
      5. Governmental/fund accounting
   3. 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in general business subjects

CPA license Michigan requirements

In order to become a licensed CPA in the state of Michigan, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Pass all four sections of the CPA Examination
• Submit application along with the $300 nonrefundable fee to the Michigan Board of Accountancy
• Be of good moral character
• One year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience verified by a Certified Public Accountant of this state, another state, or any jurisdiction of the United States.
• Qualifying experience is experience gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice in one or more of the following areas:
  • Audits of financial statements in accordance with the applicable standards at the time of engagement
  • Reviews of financial statements in accordance with the applicable standards at the time of engagement
  • Compilations of financial statements with complete disclosure in accordance with the applicable standards at the time of engagement
  • Attestation engagements in accordance with the applicable standards at the time of engagement
  • Other auditing in accordance with applicable standards at the time of engagement that leads to an expression of a written opinion including any of the following:
    • Reviews regarding internal control
    • Operational audits
    • Compliance audits
    • Expressions of an opinion on financial forecasts and projections
    • Performance of an independent internal audit function
    • Compliance audits of government contracts performed on behalf of a government agency that result in the issuance of an opinion or report
    • Audits performed on behalf of a government audit agency that result in the issuance of an opinion or report
    • Preparation of income and nonprofit tax returns for any taxing jurisdiction
    • Properly documented tax research
    • Representation of a client before a government agency on a tax matter
    • Financial forecasts, analyses, and projections
    • Management advisory services including, but not limited to, business valuation, forensic accounting, and fraud examination services that meet applicable standards
    • Management and supervision of accounting functions and preparing financial statements for profit or nonprofit entities
    • Professional accounting-related work in a public accounting firm
    • Other work generally associated with the profession of public accounting

Michigan CPA license renewals

Michigan CPAs must have their license renewed biennially. All CPA licenses expire on July 1st of each odd numbered year. 

Michigan CPA license CPE requirements

Michigan CPA CPE requirements mandate 40 hours of CPE after the first 12-month license period. CPE hours must include: 

• 8 of the 40 hours must be in auditing and accounting
• 2 of the 40 hours must be in professional ethics
  • 1 of the 2 ethics hours must be Michigan statutes and rules relating to public accountancy
  • Every two years, one of your 4 total ethics hours needs to be in Michigan specific ethics.

Qualifying CPE subjects:

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Management advisory services
• Information technology
• Mathematics, statistics, probability, and quantitative application to business
• Economics
• Finance
• Business law
• Business management
• Professional ethics for certified public accountants
• Taxation
• Financial advisory services
• Business valuations
• Any other subjects which contribute to the professional competency of a licensee

Qualifying ethics subjects:

• Behavioral ethics in any of the following areas:
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Ethical philosophy
  • Ethics enforcement
  • Ethical practice in business
  • International ethical professional standards
• Technical ethics in the following areas:
  • Business transactions with clients
  • Competence
  • Conflict of interest
  • Contingent fees, commissions, and other considerations
  • Discreditable acts
  • General and professional standards
  • Independence
  • Integrity and objectivity
  • Malpractice
  • Professional conduct
  • Public interest and responsibilities state rules and regulations

Ready to become an MI CPA? Start your CPA Exam preparation with Becker CPA Exam Review. 

Sources:

CPE, fees, education, experience

CPE

Renewals

Fees