Accounting & Tax
There are 8 accounting & tax credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 8 national certifications awarded by a single body.
CPA, Enrolled Agent, management accounting, bookkeeping and payroll credentials.
- Credentials
- 8
- Specialisms
- 3
- National
- 8
How do the main accounting & tax credentials compare?
Verified figures for 6 of the national accounting & tax credentials, drawn from each awarding body's published material. Fees change — confirm with the body before you book.
| Credential | Awarded by | Exam fee | Length | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Bookkeeper | American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) | Registration $25 member / $60 nonmember (nonrefundable) + $100 each for Prometric Parts 1 & 2; Parts 3–4 have no exam fee (study workbooks extra) | 2 hours each for Prometric Parts 1 & 2; Parts 3–4 are untimed open-book finals | 75% on Prometric Parts 1 & 2; 70% on workbook Parts 3 & 4 |
| Certified Fraud Examiner Exam | Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) | Exam and membership fees (retake $110) | 2.5 + 2.5 + 1.5 hours | ACFE published pass standard |
| Certified Internal Auditor Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing | Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) | Member and non-member exam fee (plus application fee) | 2.5 hours | IIA published pass mark (scaled) |
| Certified Public Bookkeeper Licence Exam | National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) | Each exam $80 member / $100 nonmember; retake $40 member / $50 nonmember; $100 nonrefundable license processing fee | 2 hours per exam | Minimum 75% on each exam |
| CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics | Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) | Exam fee per part (member rates; entrance fee separate) | 4 hours | Scaled 360 / 500 |
| CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management | Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) | Exam fee per part (member rates; entrance fee separate) | 4 hours | Scaled 360 / 500 |
Which accounting & tax credentials lead to the highest published pay?
Ranked by the median annual wage published for the occupation each credential unlocks — the most recent figure per occupation, quoted from the source named in the guide (usually the BLS occupational series). A credential is the entry ticket to an occupation, not a pay guarantee: these are occupation medians, not starting salaries.
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Certified Fraud Examiner Exam
$81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024)
ACFE publishes no overall pass rate — what it publishes is the per-section passing requirement of 75%
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Certified Internal Auditor Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing
$81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024)
IIA-reported global pass rate for Part 1 is roughly 44% — the lowest of the three CIA parts — with a scaled 600 of 750 as the pass line
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CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics
$81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS SOC 13-2011, May 2024)
IMA does not publish official CMA pass-rate percentages — independent compilations commonly cite a first-time rate near 45% — and the published pass mark is 360 on a 0-500 scale
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CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management
$81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS SOC 13-2011, May 2024)
IMA does not publish official CMA pass-rate percentages — independent compilations commonly cite a first-time rate near 45% — and the published pass mark is 360 on a 0-500 scale
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Uniform CPA Examination
$81,680 median annual wage for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024)
Section pass rates range ~42% (FAR, BAR) to ~78% (TCP), 2025
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Enrolled Agent (Special Enrollment Examination)
$54,920 median for Tax Preparers (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — the closest BLS proxy for EA work
IRS publishes NO official per-part SEE pass rate
Accounting & Audit 6 credentials
- Certified Bookkeeper AIPB's four-part national bookkeeping credential — the experience-based benchmark for full-charge bookkeepers.
- Certified Fraud Examiner Exam The anti-fraud credential earned through the CFE exam and ACFE membership.
- Certified Internal Auditor Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing CIA Part 1: the essentials of internal auditing every candidate must pass first.
- Certified Public Bookkeeper Licence Exam NACPB's CPB license — three online exams plus verified experience that let you place 'CPB' after your name.
- CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics CMA Part 1: financial planning, performance and analytics for management accountants.
- CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management CMA Part 2: strategic financial management for the corporate accountant.
Public Accounting 1 credential
Tax Practice 1 credential
Frequently asked questions about accounting & tax credentials
How many accounting & tax credentials are there?
There are 8 accounting & tax credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 8 national certifications awarded by a single body.
How much do accounting & tax exams cost?
Across the 6 national accounting & tax credentials we have verified fee data for, exam fees run from $25–$110. Renewal, membership and study-material costs are additional and vary by awarding body — each guide breaks out its own full cost table.
Do you need a certification to work in accounting & tax?
None of the 8 credentials in this field is a state-issued licence — all 8 are national certifications awarded by a professional body. That usually means the certification is not legally mandatory, but employers, insurers or clients may require it as a condition of the work.
Which accounting & tax credential should you start with?
Start with the one your target employer or state board names. The most widely recognised national options in this field are Certified Bookkeeper, Certified Fraud Examiner Exam, Certified Internal Auditor Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing — each has a full guide with eligibility rules, fees and a week-by-week study plan.
How often do accounting & tax requirements change?
Fees are revised most years and eligibility rules change whenever a state legislature or awarding body acts. Every guide on TestPrepPilot links to the primary regulatory source it was verified against, and the "Sources" section is the authoritative place to confirm current figures before you book.