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Newly Certified CPAs

Congratulations on becoming a Certified Public Accountant! Make the most of your hard-earned professional designation. Take these next steps!

 

FICPA Membership

Get connected to the pulse of the CPA profession. The FICPA is the state's premier membership association for CPAs and finance professionals. We're here to help you through every stage of your career in a rapidly changing profession. The FICPA is all about connections, leadership, and growth, and joining is one of the best first steps you can take as a new CPA. We can help you transform your career.

Join FICPA at 50% off!

Your membership is half off when you join within 3 months of certification.

The Best Continuing Professional Education 

The FICPA offers affordable CPE opportunities designed with your needs in mind. Our CPE courses and conferences are relevant, topical, and taught by instructors leading the profession forward. They’re available online, in-person, and on-demand. In addition to member discounts and early registration opportunities, FICPA members have access to up to 20 hours of free CPE (an $800 value) each year. That essentially pays the cost of your membership.


Networking and Leadership Opportunities

With 22 local chapters across the state, volunteer opportunities and active on-line communities via FICPA Connect, FICPA membership makes it easy
to meet and collaborate with your peers. Take on a leadership role at the local level and advance to represent the State. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or join a committee or working group, you can give back to your community and profession as an FICPA member.


Advocacy that Let's You Be Heard

The FICPA’s Governmental Affairs team is located just steps away from the capital, and works to bring you news and legislative updates to help you make sense of what's happening in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Advocating on behalf of the CPA profession and educating lawmakers on the issues that affect CPAs is the cornerstone of the FICPA's mission. Member involvement is crucial to ensuring CPAs count in the political process.


Plus

20 Hours of Free CPE Every Membership Year

Valued at $800, free members-only CPE means your membership pays for itself.

Discounted Registration

Access hundreds of events in every format with extra discounts when registering early, with your member rate, and training groups of five or more.

Local Chapters

Make connections and find local CPAs in 22 chapters around the state.

Member Committees

Shape the future of our association by participating on our committees and knowledge resource groups.

Member Discounts

Leverage FICPA’s connections for exclusive member discounts on products, services, and resources for your practice and personal benefit.

Advocacy Updates

Stay connected to the most important developments before, during, and after session.

Volunteer Opportunities

Give back to the community through CPA Day of Service and other philanthropic opportunities.

Legislative 

Support our efforts to educate Florida lawmakers on the value of the CPA profession.

Award-winning Member Publications

Florida CPA Today magazine, NEWSFLASH, and Premier CPE keep you connected to what's important to you and the profession.

FICPA Connect

Collaborate with other members online – anywhere, anytime.

Communities for Young CPAs, Students, and Women in Accounting

Be inspired and learn from those new to the profession and those who are already establish.

Scholarship Foundation

Make a difference by supporting the next generation of CPAs by contributing your time, talent, and financial support.


Knowledge, resources, and networking make the FICPA your go-to
resource for all things “CPA” in Florida.

 


Frequently Asked Questions for New CPAs

When is my first renewal with DBPR?

It depends if you are licensed prior to June 30 or after. Rule of thumb: go to the next June 30th and add two years to determine your first CPE reporting period.  You will have to renew your license the next year but your 80 hours of CPE is not due until the third June 30.

Example:  If you are licensed Dec.1, 2022, you will renew your license by Dec. 31, 2023 but your CPE is not due until June 30, 2025.  Your reporting period is July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025.

How Much CPE will I need?

By the final June 30 of your CPE re-establishment period, you will need 80 credit hours that include:

  • 8 hours of Accounting & Auditing credit (AA).
  • At least 4 hours of board-approved Florida Ethics credit (ET).
  • No more than 20 hours of Behavioral credit (BE).

There is no requirement limitation on Technical Business credit (TB). Note that excess hours cannot be carried over to your next CPE re-establishment period.

How do I report my CPE?

Beginning with licenses expiring Dec. 31, 2024, licensees must upload proof of completion documents to the DBPR Reporting Tool by the end of their reporting period before renewing. To help our members prepare for these changes, the FICPA has created a series of tutorial videos, walking you through how to navigate the new reporting tool. We are also highlighting the advantages of the FICPA CPE Tracker, which provides one comprehensive certificate you can submit to DBPR, listing all your completed FICPA-sponsored courses in one place. More information can be found here.

What if I miss my deadline?

There are two automatic extensions granted that require additional A&A hours:
Sept. 15:  additional 8 hours of A&A
Dec. 31:  additional 16 hours of A&A

When does the Board of Accountancy email renewals?

Effective in 2021, the Board no longer mails renewals. Email reminders are sent the beginning of Oct. with payment due by Dec. 31. If you have specific questions concerning your license, visit www.myfloridalicense.com or call the BOA at 850-487-1395. For the statutes governing Public Accountancy (Chapter 473), visit www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes.

Do you have to take 40 hours of CPE per year?

No, you can take CPE at any time as long as the 80 hours are completed by June 30 of your reporting year.

Am I required to have a certain percentage of in-person or live instruction?

No, Florida does not differentiate between in-person or online/virtual learning.


Newly Certified Ceremony

At our premier event, MEGA, each year in June, we honor your achievement as a newly certified CPA.
You'll join other fellow newly licensed CPAs as you take a professional oath and are celebrated by FICPA leadership and special guests.


Young CPA Opportunities

Every year, we host events that help young CPAs get involved in your community and the profession in order to take the next step in your career.


Questions About FICPA Membership?

Contact Member Services

800-342-3197   |   850-224-2727 x1   |   membership@ficpa.org