Public accounting is only one branch of accounting.
Public accountants work for multiple clients preparing taxes, doing audits, and providing consulting services. The CPA certificate is required by Arkansas law only if one conducts audits, however, many individuals have traditionally chosen to pursue the CPA as a prestigious credential even if they do not go into public accounting. Beginning in 1998 in Arkansas everyone takes the CPA exam in Arkansas will be required to have 150 semester hours of education. The Accounting bachelors degree currently entails 127 hours, or approximately four years of full time class work. That means that those wishing to sit for the CPA exam will need an additional 23 hours beyond the four year degree, or slightly less than one additional year of study.