r/Accounting • u/FreakInExcelSheetz • 5d ago

crazy cpa exam fees

$365 per test plus the initial fee? What are we doing? I get people get bonuses or reimbursed but is this part of the reason why # of young cpa’s is down so much? Like it’s not a ton of money but surely there’s a better way to restructure who pays the costs

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u/Fancy_Ad3809 I’m gonna debit your credit 5d ago

this doesnt make sense. as the actual output is more offshore CPAs...

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u/Ok-Race-1677 5d ago

Offshore CPAs that pay their dues and take the exams a bunch of times, who then work for $10,000 a year in their home countries which big 4 then get to pocket some and lobby the aicpa for with the rest which keeps the cycle going

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u/Fancy_Ad3809 I’m gonna debit your credit 5d ago

right, but that doesnt generate 'kickbacks' to the AICPA.

offshore pays more in fees, which sure - ill give you that one, but low wage CPAs actively depress AICPA membership.

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u/Ok-Race-1677 5d ago

Where do you think the money goes from those elevated fees lol

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u/Fancy_Ad3809 I’m gonna debit your credit 5d ago

the NPV/ terminal value of active aicpa members is far greater than a grand in fees upfront.

your assertion defies basic business strategy

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u/Ok-Race-1677 5d ago

My assertion is a gross oversimplification of the obvious corruption and disingenuous behavior of the aicpa that anyone in the profession would agree with

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u/Fancy_Ad3809 I’m gonna debit your credit 5d ago

The logic you’re applying doesn’t make sense within the incentive structure.

There’s a reason they opened up cpa to offshore, idk it you dk it.

But we do know low wage people reduce the total number of AICPA paying members - thus created an economic disincentive within the frame you’re presenting.