It takes years of on the job training to be a competent CPA or attorney. I’m both a lawyer and CPA and can say with certainty there are no shortcuts. And for the record, the bar exam was a breeze compared to the CPA exam.
When I graduated all of the Big 8 firms had strict requirements for new hires. I started my career with Arthur Andersen in a tax consulting role. I can’t imagine what that job would have been like without an education.
Been there, done that.