Top Accounting Schools
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Requirements to Become a CPA
As it is with a lot of career training, you have certain requirements to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). And as with many other career choices, the requirements will vary from one state to the next. The basics are the same, but some variations do exist. The requirements for each state can be found by checking with the (NASBA), or National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
Education will be one of the main requirements to become a CPA. You must complete a minimum of 24 hours of study in accounting courses, and complete your baccalaureate degree. Then you’ll need an additional 18 hours of some kind of related courses, such as management and business law.
The good thing about this is the fact that most all of your preparatory work before taking your exam can be done at one of many available online colleges or universities. The trend today is taking online courses while working your regular job. This online distance education gives you the flexibility of working at your own pace. You can further your education at home, without interrupting your current lifestyle.
A Few Steps You Will Be Required To Complete
You have to satisfactorily complete the CPA Exam. It comes in four sections. The ‘State Board of Accountancy’ will require some information from you before allowing you to take the exam. This will basically be a Photo ID (usually passport type), college transcripts, your examination fees, and your completed application.
You will need to submit your college transcripts proving you have 150 credit hours, with at least 30 hours in accounting. You are required to show your work history over the past ten years. Should you have finished high school under ten years ago, then they will accept your work history from that time on.
There is an exam by the American Institute of CPAs for professional ethics that you have to pass with a grade of 90% or better. Fortunately, you can do this easily and conveniently online.
Final Requirements to Become a CPA
You will need to obtain letters of recommendation, around five, to send to your specific State Board of Accountancy. A couple of these will need to actually come from a CPA.
Then you prove certification for all experience in jobs within the CPA industry. All State Boards of Accountancy have varying requirements when it comes to professional experience. It’s important that you check in with your specific board and see what they expect.
And once you’ve met all these requirements to become a CPA, the last thing for you to do is submit your application, your fees, and your photo ID (passport type). You can take your career training and preparatory courses online. People everywhere are taking online course and earning online degrees for some of the top careers of today. And you can too.
Today many people would not be able to just leave their current situations to go to school, or to attend regularly scheduled classes. But online colleges and universities give you the flexibility to work at your own pace, and to improve your life by furthering your education right from home.
