You may qualify to sit for the CPA Exam by meeting the requirements of one of the 54 jurisdictions granting the CPA license. These 54 U.S. jurisdictions are the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Northern Marianas Islands are not offering the exam yet. Once you pass the exam, you have to prove that you meet the experience and education requirements in order to be licensed to practice.

Applying to Sit for the CPA Exam

Applying to Sit for the CPA Exam is not done through the national organization but rather at the state/jurisdiction level.

Applying to Sit for the CPA Exam can be a time-consuming process, especially if not done correctly or if you have not met all the requirements prior to sitting for the exam. One person stated that it took him over seven months of paperwork done and redone before he was given permission to sit for the exam.

Steps to complete the administrative application process: This is a multi-step process in which you must be very careful to read accurately while filling out the application documentation. If you have questions about: * the documents needed during submission * the fees to be paid and to whom and/or * eligibility requirements for that jurisdiction, you should contact the Board of Accountancy (or the agency representing that Board) in which you wish to practice as a CPA. To apply:

1. Determine in which jurisdiction you qualify to sit for the exam. There are cases where certain states offer reciprocity which means they accept your CPA license from another state if you meet certain conditions. For more on reciprocity, see Reciprocity.

2. Requirements to sit for the exam differ between the jurisdictions. Go to the Board of Accountancy website for that territory or state or go to NASBA (http://www.nasba.org/nasbaweb.nsf/exam). You may wish to review several jurisdictions before selecting one.

3. Begin the application process by getting the application from the jurisdiction you select, gather any requested supporting documentation (such as college transcript), and fill out the application.

4. Send in a Completed Application and Documents along with the Application Fees. Make certain that the name on the application matches the identification you will present on test day. If the application is in the name of “Cindy Jones” but her driver’s license states her name as “Cynthia Jones,” she may not be allowed to test.

5. Turn in your application to your board. Since this is not a national application, there is no national office to which to send your application. Check with the website of your state board for the address to which to send all your documents. Pay attention to details: in certain states, a candidate will send their application materials to the Board of Accountancy in that state but in other jurisdictions, all applications are sent to an organization designated by that Board and to the central processing location to that organization. For instance, a candidate who wishes to be a California CPA will send their application directly to the California Board of Accountancy in Sacramento while a candidate who wishes to become a Connecticut CPA will send their application to central processing organization in Tennessee. Fees differ: a wise candidate rereads the fee schedule to make certain that they are sending in the correct fees.

6. Send in your official college transcript if you are a first time candidate. If you were educated outside the US, the Board may require that your transcripts be evaluated by an agency which the Board has approved. There is a list on the Board’s website.

7. IF you need special accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act, now is the time to ask. If you do not put in a request with your application, you may not get the accommodations you need on test day. Your board has to approve any accommodation which is why any accommodation needs to be dealt with at this juncture. They cannot make adjustments on test day.

9. Read the directions carefully before you send off your application. Make absolutely certain that you have provided all the documentation required (e.g., college transcript and/or work experience). Be careful that you have filled out every line correctly. Delays as long as seven months have been reported when someone did not fill out the application correctly.

10. Send in the application fees to your state board and the fees for the test itself with your application. Read the state website carefully. There are basically two fees: one to the jurisdiction or state and the other fee for each part of the exam. State fees range from a state fee of $30 in Kentucky up to $230 in North Carolina. The fees to take each part of the CPA Exam range as well. Check with your state’s website to make sure that you know what the latest fees are and send in the correct amount. To be doubly sure, call the local board.

11. Guam is an interesting case because they have an additional fee. Application fee: $255 first time applicants Guam surcharge: $100 per section (for non-residents of Guam) Exam Fees/section: range from $180.95 to $230.55. The one Prometric testing center is in Hagatna. There are no residency, no age or US citizenship requirements, which makes it easier for international students to qualify to sit for the exam in Guam.

12. Puerto Rico, another US territory, has a different set of requirements. US Citizenship is not required.

Minimum age is 21. Residency: Applicant must have a place of business in Puerto Rico or be a resident. Certificate of Good Conduct filled out by the Puerto Rico Police Department must accompany the application to sit for the exam.

There is a first time application fee and an examination fee. If the person fails the section, there is an additional fee to retest which is assessed with each section. Like Guam, Puerto Rico has only one Prometric testing center.

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This opens a career path for accountants/CPAs into the CEO chair as well as the CFO chair. (Since the CEO is asked to sign the company’s tax return, this is all the more reason for the person to be a CPA as well as a manager.)

Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance While accounting will be a very fast growing sector at 22% from 2008-2018, the growth in jobs for CPAs is expected to be the sector’s fastest growing niche. Prior to 2002, a multitude of corporate accounting scandals (e.g., Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom) cost investors billions of dollars.

When the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed in 2002, a new layer of accounting oversight was created to thwart the tide of corporate financial malfeasance. The act established new or enhanced standards for all US public company boards, management, and for public accounting firms. By creating a new public agency, the act created a number of jobs for accounting overseers, regulators, and inspectors. Further, the Securites and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented the adoption of dozens of new rules to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Preventing Accounting Scandals Very strong growth (22%) in the number of accountants and auditor jobs (279,400 new jobs) is expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs should have the best prospects for employment with an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants.

Because of financial scandals, investors will be demanding increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders. The need for these “accounting watchdogs” will spur job growth in the accounting sector.

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board While accounting will be a very fast growing sector at 22% from 2008-2018, the growth in jobs for CPAs is expected to be the sector’s fastest growing niche. Passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

PCAOB will expand to hire more accountants and CPAs to provide independent oversight of public accounting firms which audit their corporate clients. The central oversight board will register auditors as well as setting up the procedural framework for compliance audits, inspections and policing conduct and quality control, and enforcing compliance with specific elements of Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX Act).

More Laws = More Jobs Congress has never been at a loss for words…or legislation.

As more corporations cross the legal boundaries, more laws will be written to keep others from erring. Legislation, in this case, is like nail the barn door shut after the horse got out: yes, it keeps the others inside but you have to capture the one that got out!

Changes in laws regarding taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers and other financial matters will lead to an increased need for CPAs, accountants and auditors to police the situation.

Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is enforcing new laws which deal with financial compliance.

Economic Expansion Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accountants and auditor jobs (279,400 new jobs) expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs should have the best prospects for employment with an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants.

This is expected because: IF the economy expands, the number of businesses will increase. New jobs will be created in accounting to set up the books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these new businesses grow, the quantity and complexity of financial information reviewed by accountants and auditors on the costs, expenditures, taxes and corporate internal controls will increase as well.

As the globalization of business accelerates, there will be an increased demand for accounting expertise and services regarding international trade and accounting rules as well as international mergers and acquisitions.

Consulting While accounting will be a very fast growing sector at 22% from 2008-2018, the growth in jobs for CPAs is expected to be the sector’s fastest growing niche.

Because the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act prohibits auditing companies from providing services such as consulting and management advice to their clients, it is expected that there will be job growth in accounting companies which provide consulting and other non-auditing advice to their clients.

Forensic Accounting in Criminal Justice Forensic accountants who detect illegal financial activity will be more in demand as the number of financial crimes increases.

The FBI employs over 1,400 accountants and CPAs who uncover crime with their calculators. As of May 21, 2010, the FBI website listed 11 open positions for forensic accountants.

Crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud by individuals, by corporations, and by organized crime networks are increasing. Computer technology has made these crimes even easier to commit and even harder to uncover. But the “good guys” have weapons as well: the development of new computer software and advanced electronic surveillance technology make detecting financial crimes easier, thereby increasing the likelihood of discovery, investigation, prosecution and conviction.

As the success rates of the “good guys” rise, the demand for forensic accountants will rise as well. Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is forensic accounting.

SEC

Since 2002, funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has nearly doubled, resulting in many more jobs for CPAs.

In Washington, D.C., the SEC hires CPAs who can censure or bar from practice stock brokers, advisors, or dealers through the * Division of Corporation Finance, * Division of Enforcement, * Office of the Chief Accountant.

In regional offices from Boston to LA, the SEC hires CPAs to examine financial statements in public filings, resolve controversial accounting issues, and in rule writing: * Division of Trading and Markets, * Division of Investment Management * Office of Compliance, Inspections and examinations.

The SEC hires experienced CPAs with three to eight years of public accounting experience in the securities industry in the areas of: * audit work involving SEC financial reporting * complex audits of multi-national corporations, or * mergers and acquisitions. Typically, new hires enter at the mid- and senior staff accountant positions in the SK-13 to 17 levels, with grade being based on graduate education and amount of relevant work experience.

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When you are a CPA, your license is recognized from Paris, Texas to Paris, France and your expertise is acknowledged immediately. No matter which niche you practice in-from forensic accounting to tax preparation-being a CPA gives you instant credibility. The same cannot be said about the following designations which are very specific to certain niches and do not translate to career cache’ in other fields within accounting.

The Institute of Management Accountants confers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. As of fall 2009, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify to sit for the exam. (Previously, a good score on the GMAT or GRE graduate school exam was permissible as well.) After you pass a four-part examination on financial statement analysis, working-capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management, you must agree to meet continuing education requirements and comply with standards of professional conduct to be a CMA.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation. You must: * Have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. * Have worked for two years as internal auditors. * Have passed a four-part examination. The IIA also offers the designations of * Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), * Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and * Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) to those who pass the exams and meet educational and experience requirements.

The ISACA, formerly known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, confers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation you after you pass an examination and have five years of experience auditing information systems. Information systems experience, financial or operational auditing experience, or related college credit hours can be substituted for up to two years information systems auditing, control or security experience.

The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation, a satellite organization of the National Society of Accountants, confers four designations: * Accredited Business Accountant (ABA) if you specialize in tax preparation for small and medium-sized businesses must pass the ABA exam. * Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) if you have five years of experience in sophisticated tax planning cases such as qualified retirement plans, complex estates, and the ownership of closely held businesses. ACAT is developing a test consisting of 140 questions for this designation. * Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) if you specialize in tax return preparation for individuals and the self-employed. * Elder Care Specialist (ECS): If you have three years’ experience in accounting or taxation and specialize in estate and trust planning, and retirement planning for senior citizens. The National Society of Accountants provides three tracks which must be completed, and you must pass a test at each level.

Candidates for the other designations must complete the required coursework and for certain designations and licenses, pass an exam as well. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners offers the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation for forensic or public accountants involved in fraud prevention, detection, deterrence, and investigation. To obtain the designation, you must have a bachelor’s degree, two years of relevant experience, pass a four-part examination, and abide by a code of professional ethics. Related work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement.

The Association of Government Accountants grants the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation for accountants, auditors, and other government financial workers at the Federal, State, and local levels. You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 24 hours of study in financial management, two years of experience in government, and passing scores on a series of three exams. The exams cover topics in governmental environment; governmental accounting, financial reporting, and budgeting; and financial management and control.

Each of these certifications is highly specialized and does not necessarily translate into being viewed as an expert in another field. For instance, simply because an accountant is an Elder Care Specialist does NOT mean that the accountant is viewed automatically as an expert in fraud examination.

However, there is one license which garners credibility in every niche of accounting and that is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

The most globally recognized designation for an accountant is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It opens the greatest number of doors around the world for those who have it. For accountants, the career path upwards requires becoming a CPA. Progressing from being an accountant to becoming a CPA offers greater opportunities for promotion into management, greater career opportunities, and higher salaries. In many companies, you must be a CPA before you promoted into upper management and especially at C-Level such as CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

Interested in career as a Certified Public Accountant? Read on! Each of the jurisdictions which offers the CPA Exam has its own qualifications for sitting for the exam. (The exam itself has the same content whether you sit for it in New Jersey or New Mexico but the requirements you have to meet BEFORE you sit for the exam in those two states differ.) For instance, you might not qualify in New York but you may qualify to sit for the exam in Colorado.

In California, the requirements are: * A bachelor’s degree; * 24 semester units in accounting-related subjects; * 24 semester units in business-related subjects; * 150 semester units (or 225 quarter units) of education; * Passing the Uniform CPA Exam; * One year of general accounting experience supervised by a CPA with an active license; and Logging 500 hours of attest or auditing experience will allow you to obtain the authority to sign attest reports. In many firms, having a CPA license is the only way one is promoted into upper management. Becoming a CPA increases your opportunity for promotions and salary increases.

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After you get your application questions answered, send in your completed application, supporting documents and the 2 application fees for applying to sit for the CPA Exam in that jurisdiction and for sitting for that specific section (e.g., BEC or REG).

Pay attention to these specifics: Who is applying? As silly as it may seem, people have been turned away from a testing center because they used a nickname on the application-and this didn’t match their driver’s license. Suggestion: Look at the two pieces of ID you will present on exam day and use that name on your application.

Where do I send the application? Yes, you want to sit for the CPA exam in Connecticut but did you know that you will send your application to Nashville? Sending your application to the wrong location wastes your valuable time. Read the state Board of Accountancy website. If you are not sure, call and ask.

What do I send? Read the fee schedule carefully. In California, there is a first time sitting fee of $145.00 and there is a fee of $180.95 to sit for BEC and $230.55 for AUD (as of 4/15/2010). Therefore, send in the right fee for the right section.

Why do they want to see my college transcripts? To prove you graduated and took the classes required by that state. For example, if you don’t have 24 semester units of accounting and 24 semester units of business-related subjects, you can’t sit for the exam in California. If you were educated outside the U.S., the state board will probably ask that you have your transcript evaluated for academic quality and equivalency. Contact Leslie-Ann Rogers (la@cpaexcel.com) for more information for international students.

How do I request Special Accommodations? You need to request any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) special accommodations for mental or physical challenge at the time you apply to sit for the CPA Exam. Certain test centers are equipped to make some accommodations while others are not. The state board must approve all accommodations at specific testing locations.

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What is the evaluator looking for? Each state has its own requirements to sit for the exam. Some states are very specific about the number of semester hours needed in accounting, business, business law, and ethics which are needed before you can sit for the exam. The evaluator makes certain that you have the required hours. If you were educated outside the U.S., the evaluator will research the academic rigorousness of your college program and if the classes you took meet the state’s requirements.

If you would like a free evaluation of your academic credentials, contact: Leslie-Anne (L.A.) Rogers la@cpaexcel.com. She has evaluated transcripts for over 14 years and helped countless students around the world through the state application process and then prepare and pass the exam.

AICPA: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org and www.cpa-exam.org). AICPA writes and scores the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA Exam). AICPA works with National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric Test Centers to create, deliver, and score the CPA Exam. ATT (not AT & T): Authorization to Test is a form sent electronically by the State Board of Accountancy to NASBA’s National Candidate Database. The process is this:

1. You apply (either online or fill out a paper and pencil application) to a State Board of Accountancy for permission to test for 1-4 parts of the CPA Exam. You send in the state application and credential evaluation fees. 2. When you are approved, the State Board sends an approval letter to you and the ATT to NASBA. The ATT is valid for 90 days. If you do not complete all the steps within 90 days, you have to start over. 3. NASBA sends you the Payment Coupon for your exam fees. (See “Payment Coupon” for a complete list of fees.)

4. About 24-72 hours after you send in your NASBA fees, NASBA sends you the Notice to Schedule (NTS), which is valid for 6 months. If you do not complete all the steps within 6 months, you have to start over. 5. The NTS allows you to call or e-mail Prometric to select a test center location, day, and time to sit for the exam.

6. It is suggested that you contact Prometric at least 45 days before you want to sit for the exam because the seats fill up quickly. Plan ahead! 7. You sit for the exam at a computer workstation in a Prometric Test Center. 8. Prometric sends your testing data to AICPA. 9. AICPA scores your exam.

10. AICPA releases your score to NASBA. NASBA will act in one of two ways. a. If you are approved to sit for the exam in a non-NASBA state (such as California, Illinois or Virginia), NASBA will release your scores to your state. Your state will post your scores on their website. Using your user ID and password, you can look up your scores. OR b. Up to 48 hours after this, if you are in a NASBA state, NASBA will release your scores to your State Board of Accountancy, which shares the information with you. c. Some states, like Texas, never post scores on a weekend. d. If you are approved to sit for the exam in a NASBA state but physically sit for the test in California, Illinois or Virginia, this does not mean that you will get your scores earlier like the non-NASBA states. e. About 5-7 days after your scores are posted, your state will mail you a paper notice which contains the performance diagnostic information for any part(s) you did not pass. This is not available online. f. A passing score is 75. g. There are three situations in which you would submit the application and fees to your state board to retest: i. if you failed the section, ii. if you did not schedule your test day at Prometric, or iii. if you scheduled your test day but did not attend. h. When your state re-authorizes you, you can schedule a test day.

11. The timing of the score releases is rather interesting. a. Wave 1 covers the first day of the testing window up to the 7th or 8th day of the second month of the testing window. This could be Jan. 1-Feb. 7th. Wave 2 covers Feb. 8th. -28th. or in a Leap Year, Feb. 29th. b. Scores from Wave 1 wander in the 3rd. week of the 2nd month or Feb. 15th. c. BUT if you were the lucky person who got a new simulation, you are bumped to Wave 2. d. Wave 2 scores start appearing the third week after the close of the testing window, or in this case, March 15. e. BEC comes out first. The other sections come one at a time, a day a part so it can take a week between the first scores and the last within that wave.

12. Once you pass all four parts, take the “Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course.” For more info, go to www.cpa2biz.com. You can get a free demo CD before you purchase the course. Key in “Professional Ethics” in the “Search” window. This will take you to info about the course’s content and how you can buy the course.

13. After you pass this open book test with a score of 90% or higher, AICPA will send written notice to your state board.

14. When your state is notified that you passed the ethics course and you have fulfilled all your state’s requirements, your state will send you your CPA certificate and the date of issue.

CBT: Computer-Based Testing. Until 2004, the CPA Exam was given in a paper and pencil format. Starting in 2004, the exam was delivered via computer workstation at a Prometric Test Center.

CBT-e: Computer-Based Testing-evolution. According to Darwin, man evolved from monkeys and was an entirely new creature with extensively grander capabilities and possibilities than the apes. AICPA anticipates a similar evolution in January 2011 when the CPA Exam will undergo a technical evolution, and is expected to be far grander and be enhanced with more possibilities than mere CBT. There are those who scoff at evolution so we will wait to see how much of an advancement CBT-e is. NASBA: National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

There are 54 U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 U.S. States, Washington, D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam) which offer the CPA Exam. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements to sit for the CPA Exam so it is very possible to qualify in one state but not another. NASBA maintains a database of the requirements for each jurisdiction, a National Candidate Database of those sitting for the CPA Exam, and releases the exam scores to the states.

NTS: Notice to Schedule. After your state approves you to sit for the exam, your state sends the ATT to NASBA. NASBA then sends you the NTS so you can contact Prometric to schedule your testing location, day and time.

Be aware of: 1. Because the CPA Exam is uniform, you can be approved to sit for the exam in Maine but actually sit in a Prometric center in Utah and take the test. Any combination of states is fine.

2. While Prometric has thousands of test centers around the world, only about 300 centers in the U.S. offer the CPA Exam. Don’t assume that just because there is a Prometric test center in your neighborhood that it gives the CPA Exam. Check and make sure.

3. You can go online to www.prometric.com or call them to schedule when you would like to sit for the exam. Because seats fill quickly, you probably need to pick a test date that is at least 45 days in the future.

4. The NTS has an expiration date: the NTS is valid for 6 months AFTER you pay your exam fees to NASBA. When you finally get your NTS, you may actually have less than 6 months to sit for the exam.

5. Your name on your NTS must match your photo ID exactly: you cannot be “Ty” on one and “Tyson” on the other. If the two do not match, correct this BEFORE test day or you may not be allowed to enter.

Payment Coupon: After your state approves your application, your state contacts NASBA. NASBA, being a capitalist institution, sends you a Payment Coupon which requests that you send NASBA additional fees for scoring the exam (well, that would be helpful), the time to take the test on the Prometric computer, a processing fee, a fee for a digital photo of your smiling face and a biometric thumb print, which are all part of ID scanning at the Prometric test center. NASBA issues the Payment Coupon 48-72 hours after state approval.

Prometric Centers: Prometric is a set of computer-based testing centers located around the world which offer various academic and professional certification tests.

There are over 10,000 Prometric test centers in over 160 nations but out of those, only 300 in the U.S. offer the CPA Exam. Because of the dangers of academic pilfering (a.k.a., cheating), Prometric conducts the tests in an environment only slightly less secure than Fort Knox. Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA Exam): a four part test written and scored by the AICPA and delivered to students at 300 of Prometric’s U.S. test centers. It is only given in English. The four sections or parts of the CPA Exam are:

* Auditing and Attestation (AUD): To pass, you need to know how to apply knowledge of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards and other standards related to attest engagements. (4.5 hours)

* Business Environment and Concepts (BEC): To pass, you need to understand how to apply knowledge of business concepts for and accounting implications of business transactions. (2.5 hours)

* Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): To pass, you need to know the skills to apply knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for business entities, not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities. (4 hours)

* Regulation (REG): To pass, you need to know how to apply knowledge of federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities and business law. (3 hours) Window: Yes, it something you open on a warm day and shut on a cold one and it can be the singular of the latest offering from Microsoft but in the world of accounting it is so much more: it is the time in which you can sit for the CPA Exam.

In every quarter, you are allowed to sit in the first two months of any window: January-February, April-May, etc. This 60 day period (or something relatively close) is called a “testing window.” During the third month of every quarter, you may not sit for the exam because it is not offered.

With the massive changes to 2011 CPA Examlooming, it is more important than ever that you pass the first time. Over 87% of CPA Exam students pass the CPA Exam-that is nearly twice the national average!

Giving your Notice to Schedule from NASBA ((National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) occurs before you sit for the exam so make sure that you use your time to study for the CPA Exam. According to AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), only 46% of those who sit for the CPA Exam pass it. The more you study, the more likely you are to pass. The better you manage your study time, the more likely you are to pass.

One way to organize your study time is with a study organizer such as CPAexcel’s Exam Planner. You can quickly create a personalized study plan. It’s free! You can log on now. (Other courses make you wait to use a study planner until after you buy their course but not CPAexcel!) There are two ways you can use CPAexcel’s Exam Planner: 1. Do you have a specific date that you want to sit for the exam? Great! Exam Planner can tell you exactly how many hours per week you will need to prepare to be ready to pass by that date. OR 2. Do you a particular number of hours each week you can study? Exam Planner can tell you when you will be ready to sit for the exam. CPAexcel’s software designers collated the actual study hours logged by those CPAexcel students who passed the exam and created formulas which can predict the intersection of study hours with exam success. With Exam Planner, you can learn how much time studying is suggested to pass any given section of the exam. Be ready for exam day by preparing with CPAexcel. CPAexcel has more study materials than any other course! Over 87% of CPAexcel’s students pass the CPA Exam-that is nearly twice the national average!

At CPAexcel, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA review course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current exam. If you have not passed all four sections by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!

Order CPAexcel today: one price to pass the exam!

At CPA Exam, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA Exam course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current 2010 CPA Exam. If you have not passed all four sections by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) constructed the exam to be rigorous enough to protect the public interest by ensuring that only very qualified people can become licensed as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) while encompassing a basic knowledge of a wide range of accounting subjects. Failure rate is high (54%).

While the test is written by the AICPA, it is given by Prometric at its 300+ testing centers in multiple cities within each of the 54 U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 U.S. states and four U.S. territories).

Since the test is exactly the same, you can sit for the exam at any location, even a Prometric test center outside the state in which you are approved to sit for the exam. Thus, if you are a college student from Rhode Island who meets the qualifications for the CPA Exam in Texas (where you were hired and will start after graduation), you can sit for the exam in Rhode Island. The scores are sent to Texas and then on to you. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements you must meet before you can sit for the exam. For more information, see “CPA Exam Application Process.”

Prometric offers the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)’s Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA Exam) at certain of Prometric’s test centers. The CPA Exam is given as a Computer-Based Test.

The CPA Exam has four parts: the Auditing and Attestation CPA Exam, the Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) CPA Exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) CPA Exam, and Regulation (REG) CPA Exam. To prepare to pass, you can take an unlimited number of CPA Exam simulations at CPAexcel.

Prometric is a company which is hired by a variety of government and professional organizations to offer their certification exams at Prometric centers. Microsoft, a national veterinary association, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) all offer their certification exams through Prometric’s test centers. Prometric has thousands of test centers around the world but only 300 of those in the United States offer the CPA Exam.

The AICPA writes the exam. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) maintains accurate databases of the requirements to sit for the exam as determined by the 54 jurisdictions* and the database of candidates for the CPA designation.

After your state/jurisdiction approves you to sit for the exam, NASBA sends you the Notice to Schedule (NTS) which allows you to register for one of the Prometric test center locations, and select a day and time to sit for the exam. After you sit for the exam, Prometric sends your test data to AICPA for scoring. AICPA sends the scores to NASBA which in turn distributes the information to the jurisdictions. Your jurisdiction will send you your score.

(*The 54 jurisdictions are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.) In 2004, the CBT format replaced the paper and pencil format which was the traditional method for delivering the CPA Exam.

CBT is the only format in which the test is offered but if requested at the time of application, certain accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be made for specific candidates.

At CPAexcel, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA Prep Course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current 2010 CPA Exam. If you have not passed all four parts by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!

Therefore, being a good consumer means checking the features, costs and benefits of a program before buying to make certain that you are getting the best study tools which support the way you learn best and getting the best value for your dollar.

When comparing CPA Review Courses, you should consider the following: * Does the course give free updates and free course retakes? Many courses do not unless you meet their stringent guidelines such as viewing all of the lectures and completing 90% of the homework. If there are a number of qualifications before getting a free course retake, you should be aware of that and the potential for added costs for these additional services.

For instance, the cost of a Becker course nearly doubles if you have to retake a course. Considering that 54% of those who take the CPA Exam fail it, you would be wise to know if you have to pay more to retake a course. CPAexcel never charges you for electronic updates or course retakes.

* Does the course provider clearly post their passing rates? CPAexcel does: 87% of CPAexcel’s students pass the CPA Exam-nearly double the national average! Other courses, like Becker, simply state that their passing rates are twice the national average but they are not specific about what that is.

* What is the retail price for a complete top-of-the-line course? CPAexcel’s premier course retails for $1690 and it includes a final review; Becker charges $2890 and charges extra for Final Review.

* Is there a student discount? CPAexcel discounts their courses 20% to college students. A premier four-part CPAexcel course with Professor Mentoring has a student price of a mere $1352.

* Does the provider offer a choice in the study tools included in each course? CPAexcel offers six different courses, combining their study tools in various ways, making the course adaptable to the candidate’s budgetary needs and learning styles. Becker offers only one set of course content, which is delivered either live or online.

* Does the course offer both online and off-line learning? Is there are charge for both? CPAexcel offers both online and off-line learning at no additional cost. Becker makes the candidate select either online OR off-line-or pay more to get both!

* How long is the course accessible? Becker: 12 months Roger: 18 months CPAexcel: Until the candidate passes the exam, however long that takes.

* Who writes and delivers the instructional materials? CPAexcel recruits a faculty of award-winning US accounting professors who are published authors. Becker has national instructors, who might not be even professors.

* How many past CPA Exam questions are there for studying? CPAexcel: 5,100 Becker: 3,400 * Are online student discussion groups offered? CPAexcel: yes Becker: no * Are Simulated CPA Exams offered? CPAexcel lets the candidate take an unlimited number of simulated exams. Becker only allows 2. * Who sets the schedule? CPAexcel lets the candidate pick the start date and pace of the course. Becker has a fixed schedule to which the candidate must adhere. * Average duration of a video lecture/longest video lecture? CPAexcel: 7 minutes average 35 min. (the longest) Becker: 2+ hours 4 hours (240 minutes!) * Does a lesson incorporate all the study tools to present a concept? CPAexcel: Yes, lessons are completely integrated. Becker: No. * Is there a free demo? CPAexcel: Yes Becker: No Roger: Yes

Be ready for exam day by preparing with CPAexcel. CPAexcel has more study materials than any other course! Over 87% of CPAexcel’s students pass the CPA Exam-that is nearly twice the national average!

At CPAexcel, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA review course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current exam. If you have not passed all four sections by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!

With the massive changes to 2011 CPA Examlooming, it is more important than ever that you pass the first time. Over 87% of CPA Exam students pass the CPA Exam-that is nearly twice the national average!

* AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) handles the development and the scoring of the exam; * NASBA (The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) organizes the National Candidate Database and sends the scores to the jurisdictions to be given to those who took the exam; and * Prometric delivers the computer-based test at its 300+ U.S. authorized test centers.

The CPA Exam is the national exam which is 1/3 of the “Three Es” required to be licensed as a CPA: Education, Examination, and Experience. Therefore, passing the exam by itself is not enough to meet the requirements of being a licensed CPA.

You qualify to sit for the CPA Exam by meeting the requirements of one of the 55 jurisdictions granting the CPA license. These 55 U.S. jurisdictions are the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Northern Marianas Islands are not offering the exam yet.

Through the NASBA website, http://www.nasba.org/nasbaweb.nsf/exam, you can research a list of each jurisdiction’s requirements.

Currently, the CPA Exam is provided for the jurisdictions/state boards of accountancy which offer the exam to their candidates. Since the CPA Exam is uniform, the same test is offered in Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine, which means that each candidate is held to the same high standards.

Each Board of Accountancy has the ultimate licensing authority for that jurisdiction/state.

At present, the exam is NOT given outside the U.S. or its territories.

The CPA Exam is only offered in English.

At CPAexcel, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA review course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current exam. If you have not passed all four sections by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!

Order CPAexcel today: one price is all you pay to pass the exam!

Now is the time to prepare and pass the CPA Exam.CPAexcel has more study tools than any other cpa review course-and can help you pass the first time. Order CPA Exam today!

Prior to 2002, a multitude of corporate accounting scandals (e.g., Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom) cost investors billions of dollars.

When the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed in 2002, a new layer of accounting oversight was created to thwart the tide of corporate financial malfeasance. The act established new or enhanced standards for all US public company boards, management, and for public accounting firms.

By creating a new public agency, the act created a number of jobs for accounting overseers, regulators, and inspectors. Further, the Securites and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented the adoption of dozens of new rules to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is enforcing new laws which deal with financial compliance. Congress has never been at a loss for words…or legislation.

As more corporations cross the legal boundaries, more laws will be written to keep others from erring. Legislation, in this case, is like nail the barn door shut after the horse got out: yes, it keeps the others inside but you have to capture the one that got out!

Changes in laws regarding taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers and other financial matters will lead to an increased need for CPAs, accountants and auditors to police the situation.

Preventing Accounting Scandals Very strong growth (22%) in the number of accountants and auditor jobs (279,400 new jobs) is expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs should have the best prospects for employment with an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants.

Because of financial scandals, investors will be demanding increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders. The need for these “accounting watchdogs” will spur job growth in the accounting sector.

Preventing Accounting Scandals Very strong growth (22%) in the number of accountants and auditor jobs (279,400 new jobs) is expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs should have the best prospects for employment with an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants.

Forensic Accounting in Criminal Justice Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is forensic accounting.

Forensic accountants who detect illegal financial activity will be more in demand as the number of financial crimes increases.

Crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud by individuals, by corporations, and by organized crime networks are increasing. Computer technology has made these crimes even easier to commit and even harder to uncover. But the “good guys” have weapons as well: the development of new computer software and advanced electronic surveillance technology make detecting financial crimes easier, thereby increasing the likelihood of discovery, investigation, prosecution and conviction. As the success rates of the “good guys” rise, the demand for forensic accountants will rise as well.

Economic Expansion Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accountants and auditor jobs (279,400 new jobs) expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs should have the best prospects for employment with an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants.

This is expected because: IF the economy expands, the number of businesses will increase. New jobs will be created in accounting to set up the books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these new businesses grow, the quantity and complexity of financial information reviewed by accountants and auditors on the costs, expenditures, taxes and corporate internal controls will increase as well. As the globalization of business accelerates, there will be an increased demand for accounting expertise and services regarding international trade and accounting rules as well as international mergers and acquisitions.

Consulting While accounting will be a very fast growing sector at 22% from 2008-2018, the growth in jobs for CPAs is expected to be the sector’s fastest growing niche. Because the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act prohibits auditing companies from providing services such as consulting and management advice to their clients, it is expected that there will be job growth in accounting companies which provide consulting and other non-auditing advice to their clients.

C Level While accounting will be a very fast growing sector at 22% from 2008-2018, the growth in jobs for CPAs is expected to be the sector’s fastest growing niche. Since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that senior executives of a company (such as the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer) take individual responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the corporate financial reports, it is likely that those who rise to C-level will have to have more familiarity with accounting than a manager’s passing glance. This opens a career path for accountants/ CPAs into the CEO chair as well as the CFO chair. (Since the CEO is asked to sign the company’s tax return, this is all the more reason for the person to be a CPA as well as a manager.)

Forensic Accounting in Criminal Justice Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is forensic accounting. Forensic accountants who detect illegal financial activity will be more in demand as the number of financial crimes increases. Crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud by individuals, by corporations, and by organized crime networks are increasing. Computer technology has made these crimes even easier to commit and even harder to uncover. But the “good guys” have weapons as well: the development of new computer software and advanced electronic surveillance technology make detecting financial crimes easier, thereby increasing the likelihood of discovery, investigation, prosecution and conviction. As the success rates of the “good guys” rise, the demand for forensic accountants will rise as well.

: Forensic Accounting in Law Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is forensic accounting. Opportunities for forensic accountants who are CPAs support the work of attorneys in family law, bankruptcy and business law are increasing. For example, the high profile divorce of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills included a dispute over how much Sir Paul, the former Beatle, was actually worth. He claimed he was worth around USD $785 million while she thought he was worth around $1.6 billion. Enter her team of forensic accountants who delved into the situation. As of June 2008, the accountants had not found any evidence which compelled the judge to award Ms. Mills more moola than her initial divorce settlement.

Forensic Accounting in Law Very strong growth (22%) is forecasted in the number of accounting jobs expected from 2008-2018. Within that group, CPAs have an expected growth rate faster than that for accountants; a growing niche is forensic accounting. Opportunities for forensic accountants who are CPAs support the work of attorneys in family law, bankruptcy and business law are increasing. For example, the high profile divorce of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills included a dispute over how much Sir Paul, the former Beatle, was actually worth. He claimed he was worth around USD $785 million while she thought he was worth around $1.6 billion. Enter her team of forensic accountants who delved into the situation. As of June 2008, the accountants had not found any evidence which compelled the judge to award Ms. Mills more money than her initial divorce settlement.

At CPA Test, the countdown to 2011 has begun. Because CPAexcel is the only CPA Test course which never expires, you can order it now and study for the current 2010 CPA Test. If you have not passed all four sections by the end of 2010, you will have access to the new 2011 CBT-e content and functionality for free!