CPA Exam Prep, CPE Continuing Education & CMA Exam Prep

Our innovative learning initiative, the Intuit Academy, will provide you with the necessary skills to start working in the field and boost your income in no time. Most states require 150 hours of relevant coursework, while a few will let you slide with only 120 credit hours. You can enroll in online classes to complete the required coursework and register for the exam online. Although, you’ll still have to visit an in-person test site to take the exam.

CPAs report an average salary range between $60,870 and $150,610, while non-CPA staff accountants report a salary range between $47,140 and $82,170. Add it up and you can expect up to 420 hours of studying, or more than 17 straight days. Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for Accounting.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network. Someone on our team will connect you with a financial professional in our network holding the correct designation and expertise.

This duty is paramount as financial statements form the backbone of informed decision-making for investors, regulators, and other interested parties. The exam is computer-based and uses a combination of multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks. Given the trust placed upon CPAs by the public, businesses, and government entities, they must adhere to strict ethical guidelines and professional standards. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an academic degree in management. If you are interested in starting or running a business, the MBA program will help you prepare.

CPA Requirements by States

The CPA exam is a 16-hour exam consisting of four sections, each of which must be completed in four hours. The exam consists of three core sections that must be completed and one discipline section. The Exam is a 16-hour, four-section test that all jurisdictions require you to pass in order to qualify for a CPA license. It is designed to test the minimum knowledge and skills required of a CPA. The CPA Exam is owned by the AICPA, and administered in Prometric test centers by NASBA and the AICPA on behalf of the state boards of accountancy. Use your NTS to schedule your exam sections through the Prometric website.

If you have the available time and resources, it may be best to opt for an MAcc (Master of Accounting). It will be another excellent credential to have on your resume alongside your CPA. However, you don’t necessarily need an accounting degree to take the exam.

• NASBA, the board, or its designee, will then transmit the result to you.
• Our work has been directly cited by organizations including Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Investopedia, Forbes, CNBC, and many others.
• The Exam is a 16-hour, four-section test that all jurisdictions require you to pass in order to qualify for a CPA license.
• Depending on your state, these can include minimum education, age, and citizenship or residency requirements.
• Arkansas requires one year of experience, and Minnesota candidates must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of verified work experience in no less than one year and no more than three years.

CPA Exam scores

This section also deals with federal and widely adopted state laws. They also must review source documents and enter data into subsidiary and general ledgers. Before you get overwhelmed by the massive amount of information tested on the CPA exam, let’s discuss what the CPA exam can do for your career.

He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. If you register through a non-participating jurisdiction, you can test only at approved testing centers in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. Please check with NASBA to see if your jurisdiction what is the cpa exam participates in the international program. Countries that do not meet these criteria to the combined satisfaction of NASBA, the AICPA and Prometric are not considered as testing locations. We appreciate the desire for additional international testing locations and regularly review new locations for possible expansion.

Many CPAs file tax forms or returns for individuals and businesses. Accountants who are CPAs are licensed by their state’s Board of Accountancy after passing the Uniform CPA Exam. There is no provision for withdrawing from the CPA Exam and/or requesting an extension of your current NTS.

What Can CPAs Do That Accountants Cannot?

These professionals handle diverse financial services such as auditing, tax preparation, financial planning, and consultation. CPAs as consultants offer specialized financial advice and guidance to businesses and individuals. They provide insights into tax optimization, financial planning, and strategic financial management. You want to get your CPA license, and you’re ready to start studying and scheduling your exams.

The 18-month rolling window starts after you pass your first section of the CPA Exam. You must pass the remaining three sections within this timeframe, or you risk losing credit for the section(s) you’ve already passed. To avoid forfeiting fees, review your schedule carefully and adjust appointments as early as possible if needed.

Find out how your score is determined by reading about CPA Exam scoring. You should use a 23-inch HD (1920×1080) monitor for an experience similar to an actual test center.The sample test is optimized for the testing environment in the Prometric centers. If you encounter any issues we recommend using the most recent version of the Chrome browser on a desktop HD monitor. You may find out when new content becomes eligible for testing by reviewing the Board of Examiner’s Policy on New Pronouncements. For more information on the topics covered in each section and the number of MCQs or TBSs per testlet, click here. The CPA Exam consists of three, four-hour Core sections and one, four-hour Discipline section.

Most states require residency or U.S. citizenship to take the CPA Exam. However, some states, such as Alaska, don’t require either proof of residency or citizenship within their CPA Exam requirements or licensure requirements. North Carolina requires proof of U.S. citizenship, but not state residency. Passing the CPA Exam and earning your license proves that you have deeper knowledge and understanding of the more technical or complex accounting topics and know how to apply them. Because of their additional skills and experience, CPAs earn an average of $92,795 per year, compared to the average salary for accountants of $61,480.

“CPA” stands for “certified public accountant.” CPAs are experienced accountants who specialize in public accounting, taxation, and auditing. They meet experience, educational, and examination requirements to earn licensure as a CPA. All CPA candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, a four-section exam designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills needed for a newly licensed CPA to practice public accounting.