The CPA Exam is a four-part exam that is required to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The exam is developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Overview
The CPA Exam is a challenging exam, but it is achievable with careful preparation. There are a number of resources available to help candidates prepare for the exam, including review courses, study materials, and practice exams.
The conclusion of the CPA Exam is a significant milestone in the career of any accountant. Passing the exam demonstrates a high level of knowledge and skill in the field of accounting. It also opens up a variety of career opportunities, including jobs in public accounting, industry, government, and academia.
Eligibility Criteria
The CPA Exam eligibility requirements vary by state, but there are some general requirements that are common to most states.
To be eligible to take the CPA Exam, you must typically meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Complete a certain number of accounting credit hours (typically 120-150 credits).
Some states may also have additional requirements, such as passing an ethics exam or completing a certain amount of work experience under a licensed CPA.
Exam Pattern
Section | Duration | Question Type | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | 4 hours | 75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), 9 task-based simulations (TBSs), 3 written communication tasks (WCTs) | 50% MCQs, 50% TBSs and WCTs |
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) | 4 hours | 75 MCQs, 9 TBSs, 3 WCTs | 50% MCQs, 50% TBSs and WCTs |
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | 4 hours | 75 MCQs, 9 TBSs | 50% MCQs, 50% TBSs |
Regulation (REG) | 4 hours | 75 MCQs, 9 TBSs | 50% MCQs, 50% TBSs |
Application Process
Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the CPA Exam through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The application process is online and includes the following steps:
- Create a NASBA account.
- Select the state where you will be taking the exam.
- Pay the application fee.
- Provide your personal information and educational background.
- Upload your transcripts and other required documents.
- Review and submit your application.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from NASBA. This ATT will allow you to schedule your exam appointments with Prometric.
Syllabus
The CPA Exam could be a four-part exam that tests candidates’ information of bookkeeping, inspecting, tax assessment, and trade law. The exam is managed by the American Founded of Certified Open Bookkeepers (AICPA) and is required for certification as a CPA.
The CPA Exam syllabus is partitioned into the taking after four areas:
- Reviewing and Authentication (AUD)
- Proficient Obligations and Morals
- Arranging and Supervision
- Inner Controls
- Demonstrative Review Prove
- Review Testing
- Review Reports
- Other Reviewing and Authentication
- Points
- Monetary Bookkeeping and Detailing (Distant)
- Conceptual System, Budgetary
- Announcing, and Misc. Themes
- Current Resources and Liabilities
- Ventures, PP&E and Number
- Bonds, Leases and Annuities
- Conceded Charges, Value, EPS, and
- Cash Streams
- Solidification, Remote Cash,
- Organizations, and NPO
- Administrative Bookkeeping
- Control (REG)
- Tax assessment of People
- Property Exchanges and Devaluation
- Tax assessment of C-Corporations
- Tax collection of Other Substances
- Supplementary Tax collection Themes
- Statutory Reg. and Trade Structures
- Commerce Environment and Ideas (BEC)
Important Dates
Testing Window | Exam Dates |
---|---|
January 1 – March 10 | January 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, February 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, March 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 |
April 1 – June 10 | April 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, May 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, June 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 |
July 1 – September 10 | July 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31, August 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, September 1, 6, 8, 10 |
October 1 – December 10 | October 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, November 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, December 1, 6, 8, 10 |
Tips for Exam Preparation
Here are a few tips for planning for the CPA Exam:
1. Make a consider arrange and adhere to it. The CPA Exam could be a thorough exam, and it is important to have a arrange for how you’ll ponder. Your consider arrange ought to incorporate particular objectives for each week or month, and you ought to plan time in your calendar to ponder frequently.
2. Utilize a CPA audit course. A CPA review course can give you with the structure and bolster you wish to plan for the exam. There are a assortment of CPA audit courses accessible, so select one that best fits your learning fashion and budget.
3. Take hone exams. Practice exams are one of the leading ways to plan for the CPA Exam. They will assist you to distinguish your qualities and shortcomings, and they will moreover donate you a feel for the arrange and trouble of the exam.
4. Shape a consider gather. Examining with other individuals can be a awesome way to stay spurred and to memorize from each other. On the off chance that you know other people who are taking the CPA Exam, consider shaping a study gather.
5. Watch out of yourself. It is critical to require care of yourself both physically and rationally whereas you’re planning for the CPA Exam. Make beyond any doubt to urge sufficient rest, eat sound nourishments, and work out routinely. It is additionally vital to require breaks from considering and to do things that you just appreciate.
FEES
State | Application Fee | Exam Fee per Section |
---|---|---|
Alabama | $125 | $196.75 |
Alaska | $175 | $215.00 |
Arizona | $150 | $208.40 |
Arkansas | $150 | $208.40 |
California | $200 | $238.15 |
Colorado | $150 | $208.40 |
Connecticut | $175 | $238.15 |
Delaware | $150 | $208.40 |
District of Columbia | $150 | $238.15 |
FAQ?
A: The CPA Exam is a four-part exam that is required to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The exam is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
A: Each part of the CPA Exam is four hours long.
A: To register for the CPA Exam, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by your state board of accountancy. Once you are eligible, you can register for the exam online through the NASBA website.
A: The cost of the CPA Exam varies by state. However, the total cost for all four parts of the exam is typically around $2,000.
Conclusion
The CPA Exam could be a four-part exam that covers the center zones of bookkeeping and reviewing. It is advertised by the American Founded of Certified Open Bookkeepers (AICPA) and is required for licensure as a CPA within the Joined together States.
The CPA Exam could be a challenging exam, but it is achievable with cautious planning. The exam covers a wide range of themes, counting financial accounting, inspecting, tax collection, and commerce law.