Whether auditing finances to uncover fraud, exploring how to make companies more efficient, or preparing tax returns for individuals and businesses, Certified public accountants are critical to the economic health of Chicago. These professionals earn well above the national average for their expertise and can expect substantial pay bumps with every increase in experience, specialized skills, or roles at larger firms like Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and Ernst & Young.

Certified Public Accountant in Chicago: Expertise You Can Trust

Certified public accountant in Chicago, candidates need a bachelor’s degree with at least 120 credits that include accounting courses. Students can meet this requirement through traditional 4-year undergraduate programs, online certificate programs, or accounting bachelor’s-to-master’s degrees. Candidates must also complete a year of full-time work experience to sit for the CPA exam. This can be gained through employment in industry, government, academia, or public practice, and may include the completion of attest, management advisory, financial advisory, or tax services.

Forensic accountants, for example, can earn 10-15% higher starting salaries compared with their non-certified peers and realize greater high-end earning capacity as their career progresses. This premium reflects their advanced expertise, specialized knowledge, and heightened professional credibility. Developing technical accounting skills like data analysis and AI/ML can also help Illinois accounting professionals unlock more lucrative opportunities in the industry.