CPA

Certified Public Accountant(CPA)

CPA is a globally recognized financial course offered by AICPA (The American Institute of Public Accountants ) USA.

A CPA is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals

All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs.

How to become CPA?

3 E’s are required for licensure:

• Education
• Exam or Uniform CPA Examination
• Experience

State Boards of Accountancy determine the laws and rules for each state/jurisdiction
Education

• Requirements vary by state/jurisdiction (see state requirements)
• Most states now require 120-150 semester hours
• Number of accounting hours (in the 150 total) is dependent on state requirements

Uniform CPA Examination

Computer-based format

Consists of 4 sections

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Regulation (REG)
• Same test no matter where it is taken
• Passing score is 75 on a 0-99 scale
• Question types include multiple choice, simulation and written communication
• Eligibility to sit for exam depends on state
• Examination Center
• Prometric centers in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Japan & Brazil subject to conditions.

Exam Format

• MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions      2 Test lets 
• TBS – Task Based Simulations
• WCT – Written Communication Task

Experience

• A candidate is an applicant for a CPA license
• Many states require the candidate to have 1 – 2 years’ experience under a CPA
• Additional requirements vary by the candidate’s
• Education – e.g., Graduate degree vs. 150 hours of undergraduate
• Employer(s) – e.g., Public accounting firm vs. industry
• Type of work – e.g., Tax professional vs. auditor