Process of becoming a CPA...

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>What is the process to become a CPA? Required degree in accounting? Units in certain classes? Simply pass a state or federal exam?</p>

2

<p>The exam is the same in every state, but some of the other requirements to sit for the exam are not. What state are you looking to live in?</p>

3

<p>isn't the exam hard?</p>

4

<p>150 creditsssssssss.</p>

5

<p>The requirements to sit for the exam do vary state-to-state, but the bulk of them have adopted the new 150 credit hour rule.</p>

<p>Although the specifics vary slightly (you'll need to check with your state board of accountancy, most have their own website), the states with the 150 rule require (at the minimum) a bachelor's degree (in any subject) and a total of 150 credit hours of college education, including 24-30 credit hours of certain accounting courses and 24-30 credit hours of certain business courses. Having a master's in accounting usually satisfies the requirements regardless of the specific courses you have taken. In some states (Massachusetts is one), you have to have finished all of the educations requirements before you apply and it usually takes about 6 weeks for NASBA to evaluate your education.</p>

<p>To be licensed, you need one year's experience or a master's degree. You can sit for the exam before you satisfy the licensing experience requirement.</p>

<p>Look through <a href="http://www.nasba.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.nasba.org&lt;/a>. Click on examinations (on the left) and then CPA Exam (on the top). That should lead you to each state's requirements.</p>

<p>Yes, the exam is hard. Pass rates have usually been between 10-20%; however, since computerization, that rate has increased since you can take each of the four parts seperately (previously, you took all four parts over two days). It covers a large amount of material--from financial accounting to information systems to finance to law.</p>

6

<p>I live in California.</p>

7

<p>The rules are in the California State Business Code sections 5080 through 5095. They may be found at this website:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/code/code.html?sec=bpc&codesection=5080-5095%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/code/code.html?sec=bpc&codesection=5080-5095&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I'm already a CPA in California (and Utah).</p>