Hey everyone!
Welcome to the ultimate CPA registration guide.
By reading this article, you will get a better understanding of what CPA registration entails for you as an individual who is looking forward to getting started with CPA registration.
We are going to look at:
And more other information that will guide you
Let’s get started with it!
Registering for the Uniform CPA Examination
Please acquaint yourself with the jurisdiction’s educational requirements prior to applying for the Uniform CPA Examination with the CPA Examination Services (CPAES) to see if you are qualified to register for the CPA exam as a first-time CPA candidate.
Before presenting your CPA online application, you should review The Candidate Bulletin.
You can register for one or more portions of the CPA test at a time; however, it is suggested that you only apply for a component of the exam if you are prepared to undertake it within the following six months.
Understanding the Participants and the CPA Application Process
The CPA Examination application process is not difficult, but you must know the participants.
The Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, or CPA Exam, is jointly managed by multiple partners.
Each of them has a particular function to play in the registration for the CPA process.
There are 55 different jurisdictions
You may be aware that the U.S Gov has 55 boards of accountancy, one for each state and region.
Each state or territory’s accountancy rules and regulations are carried out by the boards.
They also establish the exact conditions for obtaining a CPA license.
The real body that gives the CPA license is the Board of Accountancy.
They’re commonly referred to as “state boards”.
AICPA
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the biggest professional CPA membership association.
The AICPA decides what topics will be included in the CPA Exam sections, crafts the questions, and creates the CPA exam score methodology.
NASBA
The 55 jurisdictions are served by NASBA or the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
The association promotes standard accounting standards and assists in processing a candidate’s CPA application.
NASBA also gets CPA exam scores from numerous state boards and publishes and evaluates them, despite the fact that it does not grade the test.
Determine if you have the Eligibility to Take the CPA Exam
Each board of accountancy has varying prerequisites for the CPA test.
So, based on a few different aspects that I’ll go through, you’ll need to choose the jurisdiction in which you’ll apply for the CPA Exam sections.
You should be aware that, to take the test, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree, and many jurisdictions will need you to have finished certain accounting subjects.
When CPA exam applicants apply, they do not satisfy the basic credentials.
As a result, they lose money.
As a result, you’ll need to make sure you thoroughly examine the CPA requirements in the jurisdiction where you want to be taking the CPA exam.
Once you’ve determined that you’re qualified to take the CPA exam, you’ll usually fall into one of two categories:
The first situation is,
Because (1) you have lived or worked there or (2) you expect to live or operate there in the near future, you identify where you intend to register for CPA licensure.
The second case is,
You’re unsure which jurisdiction to submit your application to.
You’ll want to learn about the most popular states for international applicants.
Choose a Credential Evaluation organization
Note that this stage is reserved for international applicants.
If you have completed at least one program at a non-US university, you are regarded as an international candidate.
As a result, rather than your nationality, your position as an international candidate is determined by where you attended your courses.
If you are a German citizen studying in the United States, you are regarded as a “US/domestic” applicant.
However, if you are a US national who attended a semester in another country, the credits you earned must be examined by the International Evaluation services.
Examine the list of recognized credential review agencies once you’ve decided on a state or jurisdiction.
The boards of accountancy demand that your transcript is “translated” into something comparable to the US system by a third-party organization.
You can choose a firm registration based on the following criteria:
The board’s approval is crucial, Pricing, Speed, Services provided.
It’s also worth noting that the NASBA Advisory Assessment Service (NIES) provides academic international evaluation services for CPA exam candidates who acquired their training outside of the US.
A NASBA CPA examination may be required before you take the test to confirm that your curriculum fits the CPA requirements.
During the application process, CPAES must receive completed original assessments straight from the assessment service.
For every assessment from the evaluation service, a copy of the foreign transcript must be provided with the report delivered to NASBA.
Without these papers, the application process will be regarded as incomplete, and the firm registration will not be processed further until transcripts are produced.
Submit your CPA application to your state board of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
You should first file an application, some needed documentation, and pay the application fees before you may sit for a portion of the CPA Exam.
NASBA or your state’s Board of Accountancy will administer the CPA Exam, depending on your state.
The application verifies that you are qualified to take the CPA exam.
Your application will be reviewed by NASBA, and you will be notified of the findings.
Fill out the CPA Examination application papers online or mail them to the state board in hard copy.
Ensure to visit your school and ask for a transcript submitted directly to the state board.
Transcripts
You must present an authentic transcript from each institution you attended if you have fulfilled the educational requirements at the time of application.
Transfer credits may be allowed depending on the state; each institution’s transcript must be submitted.
Official transcripts are ones that have been produced by the Registrar’s Office of the institution and bear the official seal of the Registrar.
On your official transcript, you should list the degree you have received.
The transcripts can also be sent electronically.
This service is not available at all schools.
For further information, contact your Registrar’s office.
Use etranscript@nasba.org if an email address is needed for electronic distribution.
Transcripts received electronically must be sent directly from the school.
Wait for the Result
While you wait for the outcome of your application, stay patient.
State boards can take anywhere from one to twelve weeks to complete your registration and provide your results, depending on your jurisdiction and the time of year.
The largest states, such as California and Illinois, take the longest.
Once your application has been approved, NASBA will send you an email declaring that the NTS is ready.
Simply put, an NTS implies your Board of Accountancy has informed NASBA that you are qualified to receive that portion of the CPA Exam.
You may locate, examine, and print your NTS by going to the NASBA CPA Candidate website after getting the email from NASBA.
Your NTS must be printed.
You’ll also need to take it to the testing center on the day of your exam.
Schedule for the CPA exam
You’re ready to arrange your exam once you get your NTS.
Your NTS is usually valid for six months, while some states extend it to nine or twelve months.
Still, don’t put it off until you’re too busy studying your CPE requirements to remember!
You can schedule your CPA exam on the Prometric website at any point before the NTS expires.
If you do not have a connection to the web, you can contact the Prometric Candidate Services Center directly at 800-580-9648.
You may technically arrange your examination appointment at a Prometric location for up to 5 days Preparing for the CPA Exam prior to your examination date.
However, it is not recommended because you will feel pressured.
Instead, plan your test at least one month ahead of time to ensure a suitable date.
You’ll have a better opportunity of getting the optimal exam date, time, and place if you do it this way.
You’ll sit for your exam at a recognized foreign site or a Prometric test facility in the United States.
You are not required to take the test in the jurisdiction you intend to apply for a CPA license.
You will get an email verification after successfully scheduling an appointment with Prometric.
You’ll have Eighteen months to ace all four sections of the CPA Exam with a minimum of 75 points.
Before sitting for your exam, you should go through CPA prep courses.
CPA study involves CPA review courses and CPA exam review courses.
The certified public accountant exam is given on continuous testing hence the need.
To find out when your score will be available following testing, look at our score release dates.
Before registering for your license, be sure you’ve passed all four sections and that your state needs a separate Ethics test.
Make an application to become a licensed CPA
Verify that you have the appropriate college credit hours before applying for your license.
In general, you’ll need 150 credits with an accounting specialization for your CPA certificate.
This comprises 30 hours of accounting and 24 hours of business administration coursework.
An average of 15 hours must be at the graduate or upper-division level.
In terms of experience, all applicants for licensing must have a least one year (about 2,000 hours) of experience, which must be validated by a licensed CPA.
Work in accounting, attestation, auditing, or taxation in CPA firms should be on your resume.
It’s critical to double-check your jurisdiction’s unique experience requirements from accounting firms.
After receiving your CPA license, you still have to undergo continuous testing.
Conclusion
The application procedure for a CPA does not have to be difficult.
You may sit for the CPA Exam earlier if you plan ahead of time and understand the processes needed.
To minimize additional fees and waste of time in becoming a Certified Public Accountant, you need to identify what is needed to prevent you from going through reinstatement.
