A critical component of providing superior client service is the requirement that our employees obtain and maintain professional certification(s) in their area of specialty. As such, our service lines have established policies regarding required certifications, including those required for consideration for promotion.
Upon joining EY, you will have access to the firm’s complete Professional Certification policies and responsibilities. You will at all times be responsible for understanding and complying with the standards you find there.
Please use the buttons below to find the applicable certification guide for your service line.
If you are unsure of your service line or sub-service line, please refer to your offer letter or contact your recruiter.
In keeping with the firm’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development. Competencies/practices within Assurance that have specific and/or required certifications are listed below. If a practice/competency is not listed, there are not required certifications, and personnel are expected to have high-level academic credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus.
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank and sub-service line.
Manager and Sr Manager: CPA certification and license required in your work location state
Senior and Staff: Prior to starting with EY, the eligibility requirements for the CPA exam must be met and the educational requirements for licensure must be complete in the state where your base office is located. In most cases, these hours should lead to a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field with a designated minimum number of hours in accounting, business and ethics. Refer to the board of accountancy website for the state in which your base office is located for information on educational requirements for licensure. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a delayed start date.
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank.
Individuals who are hired to perform internal control specialist work should pursue certification in accordance with internal control qualifications, such as:
CIA — Certified Internal Auditor
CISA — Certified Information Systems Auditor
CPA — Certified Public Accountant
Manager and Sr Manager: CPA certification and license required in your work location state
Senior and Staff: required to be actively working towards CPA certification and license in your work location state
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank.
Manager and Sr Manager: CPA certification and license required in your work location state
Senior and Staff: required to be actively working towards CPA certification and license in your work location state
ABV—Accredited in Business Valuation
CA— Chartered Accountant (Canada)
CA-IFA—Chartered Accountant (Canada) w/Specialization in Investigative and Forensic Accounting
CAMS—Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist
CCEP—Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional
CEDS—Certified E-Discovery Specialist
CEM—Certified Emergency Manager
CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst
CFCE—Certified Forensic Computer Examiner
CFE—Certified Fraud Examiner
CFF—Certified in Financial Forensics
CGFM—Certified Government Financial Manager
CIPM—Certified Information Privacy Manager
CIPP—Certified Information Privacy Professional
CPA—Certified Public Accountant
CPCU—Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter
CRM—Certified Records Manager
ENCE—Encase Certified Examiner
GASF—GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics Certification
GCFA—GIAC Certified Forensics Analyst
GCFE—GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner
GCFR—GIAC Cloud Forensics Responder
GCIH—GIAC Certified Incident Handler Certification
GIME—GIAC iOS and macOS Examiner
GNFA—GIAC Network Forensic Analyst
GREM—GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware Certification
IGP—Information Governance Professional
MCFE—Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner
PE —Professional Engineer
PMP—Project Management Professional
RCA—Relativity Certified Administrator
CGMS—Certified Grants Management Specialist
GSLC—GIAC Security Leadership Certification
LL—Law License (as appropriate for work location state)
PDAA—Power BI Data Analyst Associate
APP—Associate Protection Professional
PSP—Physical Security Professional
CPP—Certified Protection Professional
CDFM— Certified Defense Financial Manager
CGFM— Certified Government Financial Manager
CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst
CTP—Certified Treasury Professional
CA —Chartered Accountant (Canada)
CQF—Certified Quantitative Finance
GARP – FRM—Global Association of Risk Professionals – Financial Risk Manager
SCR—Sustainability and Climate Risk
CDFM — Certified Defense Financial Manager
CGFM — Certified Government Financial Manager
CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst
CMA—Certified Management Accountant
CGMA—Chartered Global Management Accountant
CBIP—Certified Business Intelligence Professional
CISA—Certified Information Systems Auditor
Individuals who are delivering FAAS Capital Advisory services as part of our FAAS practice are expected to have high level credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus.
Manager and Sr Manager: CPA certification and license required in your work location state
Senior and Staff: required to be actively working towards CPA certification and license in your work location state
CISA— Certified Information Systems Auditor Certificate
CPEA— Certified Professional Environmental Auditor
CPG— Certified Professional Geologist
CSDP— Certified Sustainable Development Professional
CSM— Certified Scrum Master
CSP— Certified Safety Professional
CSSGB— Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
GARP— Global Association of Risk Professionals Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate
GHG Verifier— Greenhouse Gas Emissions Verification (issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB))
GRI— Global Reporting Initiative Professional Certification
ISSP – SEP— International Society of Sustainability Professionals – Sustainability Excellence Professional
ISSP – SEA— International Society of Sustainability Professionals – Sustainability Excellence Associate
LEED— Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
PE — Professional Engineer
PMP— Project Management Professional
SASB— Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Fundamentals of Sustainability Account Credential
CPA — Certified Public Accountant
CISA— Certified Information Systems Auditor
CISSP— Certified Information Systems Security Professional
CA— Chartered Accountant
In keeping with the firm’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development. Competencies/practices within Consulting that have specific and/or required certifications are listed below. If a practice/competency is not listed, there are not required certifications, and personnel are expected to have high-level academic credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus.
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank and sub-service line.
AIGP Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional
CA Chartered Accountant/Associate Chartered Accountant
CIA Certified Internal Auditor
CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor
CMA Certified Management Accountant
CPA Certified Public Accountant
CRISC Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
FSA Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential (SASB)
GARP – FRM GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
GARP – SCR GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate (SCR)
IRM – ERM IRM International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management
IRM – ORM IRM Certificate in Operational Risk Management
ISF – Level 3 IASE International Sustainable Finance (Level 3)
RIMS-CRMP Certified Risk Management Professional
AIGP Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional
CA Chartered Accountant/Associate Chartered Accountant
CIA Certified Internal Auditor
CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor
CMA Certified Management Accountant
CMDA Certified Medical Device Auditor
CPA Certified Public Accountant
CQA Certified Quality Auditor
RISC Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
FSA Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential (SASB)
GARP – FRM GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
GARP – SCR GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate (SCR)
IRM – ERM IRM International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management
IRM – ORM IRM Certificate in Operational Risk Management
ISF – Level 3 IASE International Sustainable Finance (Level 3)
RAC Regulatory Affairs Certification
RIMS-CRMP Certified Risk Management Professional
AIGP—Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional
AWSCSA—AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
CA—Chartered Accountant
CCSP—Certified Cloud Security Professional
CIA—Certified Internal Auditor
CIPP—Certified Information Privacy Professional
CIPT—Certified Information Privacy Technologist
CISA—Certified Information Systems Auditor
CISM—Certified Information Security Manager
CISSP—Certified Information Systems Security Professional
CGEIT—Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT
The Actuarial practice requires certification from any one of the following designations from the Society of Actuaries®: Associate of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Fellow of the Society of Actuaries or Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) for those who are to be promoted to manager on the actuarial path.
The Actuarial practice within HR Transactions & HR Actuarial Services requires certification from any one of the following designations from the Society of Actuaries®: Associate of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Fellow of the Society of Actuaries or IRS Enrolled Actuary for those who are to be promoted to manager on the actuarial path. Foreign equivalents will be taken into consideration (e.g., Fellow, Canadian Institute of Actuaries) and will require support of the Actuarial leadership team. Approval from the Actuarial leader is required.
In addition to the certifications for Risk Consulting, the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification is also an acceptable certification to meet the promotion requirement for professionals in the FSO – Risk Consulting subservice line.
In addition to the certifications for Risk Consulting and People Consulting, the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) and Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certifications are also acceptable certifications to meet the promotion requirement.
In keeping with the firm and the Consulting service line’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development.
CBS personnel are expected to have high-level credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus. In keeping with the firm’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development.
If you are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in CBS, and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank and sub-service line.
In keeping with the firm’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development. Competencies/practices within Strategy and Transactions that have specific certifications are listed below. If a practice/competency is not listed, there are no recommended/required certifications, and personnel are expected to have high-level academic credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus.
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank and sub-service line.
The following certifications are recommended where applicable in EY-P:
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Practitioner)
CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional)
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
PCI (various Payment Card Industry certifications)
CIRA (Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor)
The following certifications are recommended where applicable in TCF:
ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
AM-BV (Accredited Member-Business Valuation)
ASA-BV (Accredited Senior Appraiser-Business Valuation)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
AM-MTS (Accredited Member - Machinery & Technical Specialties)
ASA-MTS (Accredited Senior Appraiser - Machinery & Technical Specialties)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
MCR (Master of Corporate Real Estate) (Managers and above only)
QPCR (Qualified Professional of Corporate Real Estate)
FMP (Facility Management Professional)
Building Digital Competencies in Real Estate Certificate
Data Governance in Real Estate Certificate
PMP (Project Management Professional) (Managers and above only)
LEED Accreditation
WELL AP
Lean Six Sigma (internal pursuit only)
Licensed Real Estate Broker (online pursuit only)
CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation)
AM-BV (Accredited Member-Business Valuation)
ASA-BV (Accredited Senior Appraiser-Business Valuation)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
FRM (Financial Risk Manager)
PRM (Professional Risk Manager)
Shareholder Activism credentialing requirements mirror EY Capital Advisors requirements.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
AM-Real Property (Accredited Member-Real Property)
ASA-Real Property (Accredited Senior Appraiser-Real Property)
MAI (Member of the Appraisal Institute)
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
Minimum of two state-certified appraiser licenses required.
Federal and state licensing requirements vary by state. Speak to your counselor and competency leader to understand the specific requirements based on your work location and duties performed.
Personnel associated with regulated securities practices (e.g., EYCA and EYIA) must maintain securities licenses pursuant to applicable law and federal regulations.
The licenses and certifications listed below are not exhaustive.
Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam (required)
Series 24 exam (required for select Partner/Principals)
Series 63 exam (required)
Series 79 exam (required)
Series 50 exam (required)
Series 54 (required for select Partner/Principals)
In keeping with the firm’s philosophy on professional certification, professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate certification(s) or establish appropriate credentials as an integral part of their professional development. Competencies/practices within Tax that have specific and/or required certifications are listed below. If a practice/competency is not listed, there are not required certifications, and personnel are expected to have high-level academic credentials and qualifications appropriate for their area of focus.
Manager and Sr Manager: CPA certification and license in your work location state
Senior and Staff: actively working towards CPA certification and license in your work location state
If you are a client-serving professional and have or obtain a CPA license, you are required to hold an active (not expired) CPA license in your work location state, regardless of rank and sub-service line.
Advising clients on tax matters or practicing before the IRS — Enrolled Agent
Non-federal tax matters — reference applicable SSL for acceptable alternate credentials
Ten or more years of relevant work experience — applicable in limited situations if not advising on federal tax matters or practicing before the IRS
Certified Payroll Professional
Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources or Global Professional in Human Resources
Certified Payroll Professional
SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP qualification from the Society for Human Resource Management®
Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources or Global Professional in Human Resources qualification from the HR Certification Institute®
Certified Payroll Professional designation offered by the American Payroll Association
Master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management or
Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) from the National
Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals (ASCSP)
Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) credential in personal or real property from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
Marshall & Swift/CoreLogic Cost Approach Certification
Member of Appraisal Institute (AI)
Construction Documents Technology Certification from Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Certified Financial Planner
Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist
Certified Bookkeeper with the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers*
(*Relevant for FOS managers and senior managers only)
Chartered Financial Analyst® from the CFA Institute
Master’s degree in Business Administration
Appropriate work experience as approved by practice leader
Project Management Professional (PMP)® from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
Master’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Business Administration, Finance or Information Systems Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation
Equivalent accounting certification or law license in home country (e.g., Chartered Accountant)
Certified Compensation Professional Certified Benefits Professional
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist
Appropriate work experience as approved by practice leader
Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner from Project Management Institute (PMI)
CSM-Certified ScrumMaster from Scrum Alliance
Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation
Certified Payroll Professional
All professional providing tax advice on federal employment tax must be a licensed CPA or EA
Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation; Enrolled Agent; appropriate work experience as approved by practice leader
Licensed Customs Broker issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Appropriate work experience as approved by practice leader
Proposed Global Trad-SAP/Automation team
Certified Supply Chain Professional certification
CSM-Certified ScrumMaster from Scrum Alliance
Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI)
Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation®
CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Member
ASA from the American Society of Appraisers (within certain disciplines such as M&E Valuation, Business Valuation)
MAI from the Appraisal Institute
Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation
Accredited Petroleum Accountant from The Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies, Inc.
Certified Accounts Payable Professional from The Institute of Financial Operations
Equivalent accounting certification or law license in home country (e.g., Chartered Accountant)
Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean
Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner from Project Management Institute (PMI)
CSM — Certified ScrumMaster from Scrum Alliance
Same as Tax Technology & Transformation (TTT); appropriate work experience as approved by practice leader
SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP - Society for Human Resource Management
PHR / SPHR / GPHR - HR Certification Institute
CCP - American Payroll Association / WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals
CPP - American Payroll Association
FPC - American Payroll Association
CEP - Certified Equity Professional Institute
UIDS - University of Minnesota
PMP / LSSGB - Project Management Institute (PMI)
CSM - Scrum Alliance
ICP - ICAgile
SAFe® POM - Scaled Agile, Inc.
CCP - American Payroll Association / WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals
CEP - Certified Equity Professional Institute
CBP - WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals
CEBS - International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
CSCP - WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals
Any one of the following designations from the Society of Actuaries®:
ASA / FSA - Society of Actuaries
IRS Enrolled Actuary - Internal Revenue Service
ASPPA - American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries
Master's Degree - Accredited College or University
PhD - Accredited College or University
JD - Juris Doctor (not requiring active attorney license)
GMS-T - Global Mobility Specialist
GPHR - HR Certification Institute
Certified Product Manager certified by the AIPMM Certifying Board
Certified Professional in Learning and Performance by the Association for Talent Development
Leadership Certificate Program (Leadership 1 option) by Northwestern School of Professional Studies
Conscious Leadership and Team Management (Leadership 2 option)
UI/UX Design Specialization
Advanced CSS and SASS
Linux System Administrator
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL
WOW Certified Professional Web Developer (CPWDV)
Mobile Web Specialist
PHP Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
Master’s degree in Business Administration
Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Finance, Business, Statistics, Tax, Supply Chain or Computer Science
Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business, Statistics, Tax, Supply Chain, Engineering, Computer Science or related fields and progress toward completion of one of the following certifications is required:
Chartered Financial Analyst from the CFA Institute
American Society of Appraisers Business Valuation Certification
Certified Management Accountant
American Society of Appraisers Accredited Senior Appraiser
For the certifications listed above (Chartered Financial Analyst from the CFA Institute, American Society of Appraisers Business Valuation Certification, Certified Management Accountant, American Society of Appraisers Accredited Senior Appraiser), an equivalent foreign certification in home country is also acceptable.
*Transfer Pricing alternate credentials must be completed in full prior to promotion to senior manager.
Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Mathematics, Business, Finance, Financial Engineering, Management Science and Engineering, Financial Mathematics, Industrial Engineering or Operations Research
Chartered Financial Analyst
Master’s degree or PhD in Taxation, Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Mathematics, Business, Finance, Financial Engineering, Management Science and Engineering, Financial Mathematics, Industrial Engineering or Operations Research
Project Management Professional (PMP)® from Project Management Institute (PMI) or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for managers and Black Belt for senior managers
Master’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Business Administration, Finance, Computer Science, Information Systems or Engineering
Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation®
Equivalent accounting certification or law license in home country (e.g., Chartered Accountant)9
Certified Scrum Professional® from the Scrum Alliance®
SAFe Scrum Master — Certified SAFe® Scrum Master
SAFe for Teams — Certified SAFe® Practitioner
Leading SAFe — Certified SAFe® Agilist
SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager — Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager
Certified SAFe® Professionals:
Leading SAFe — Certified SAFe® Agilist
SAFe Scrum Master — Certified SAFe® Scrum Master
SAFe for Teams — Certified SAFe® Practitioner
SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager — Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager
Certified SAFe® Program Consultant (SPC)
Certified SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE)
Chartered Financial Analyst®
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner®10 from the Project Management Institute
Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals: 1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam AZ-900
Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert:
MS Certified Azure Administrator Required exam AZ 104 OR Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam AZ 204
Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam AZ-400
Microsoft Certified Azure Developer:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam 204
Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect: 1. Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies Required Exam AZ 303 2. Microsoft Azure Architect Design Required Exam AZ-304
Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer: 1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam — DP-200, DP-201 (until 6/30/21); DP-203 (starting 2/23/21)
Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer 1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam — DP 200, DP 201 (Until Jun 30, 2021); DP-203 (starting Feb 23, 2021)
EXAMS DP-200 AND DP-201 WILL BE REPLACED WITH EXAM DP-203 ON FEBRUARY 23, 2021. You will still be able to earn this certification by passing DP-200 and DP-201 until they retire on June 30, 2021.
Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist 1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam DP-100
SQL Server Database Certification 1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate Required Exam DP-300 2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs Required Exam DP 200, DP 201 (Until June 30, 2021); DP-203 (starting Feb 23, 2021)
EXAMS DP-200 AND DP-201 WILL BE REPLACED WITH EXAM DP-203 ON FEBRUARY 23, 2021. You will still be able to earn this certification by passing DP-200 and DP-201 until they retire on June 30, 2021.
Microsoft Certified Power Platform App:
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate Required Exam PL-100
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate Required Exam PL-400
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect Expert Required Exam MB-600
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate Required Exam PL-200
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals Required Exam PL-900
Microsoft 365 Certified Developer Associate: 1. Microsoft 365 Certified: Developer Associate — Learn | Microsoft Docs
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