CPA EXAM INFORMATION

WHAT IS A CPA?

The CPA or Certified Public Accountant is the designation for an accounting professional who has passed a comprehensive exam prepared by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and undertaken several years of work experience. The CPA is the most widely recognized and preeminent designation for an accountant, as the public views the designation as signifying a sound knowledge of accounting and general business acumen. CPAs work in industry, government, education, and public accounting firms.

HOW DO I BECOME A CPA?

Currently, the individual states and territories of the U.S. establish the requirements for the CPA designation in their jurisdiction. There are two possible levels to the CPA designation: a certificate and a license.

Certificates are given upon successful completion of the CPA exam. Certificate holders do not have to meet continuing education requirements but cannot advertise themselves as a CPA or give opinions on financial statements. The certificate is simply evidence of passing the CPA exam. Virginia does not have a certificate program; individuals must maintain a license.

A CPA license is obtained by passing the CPA exam, passing an ethics exam, meeting and education requirement, and meeting a work experience requirement established by state regulators. The license holder can only maintain their licensing by pursuing continuing accounting education requirements each year. Individuals who hold a CPA license can advertise themselves as CPAs.

The Virginia State Board of Accountancy establishes the requirements for education to sit for the CPA exam, and the work experience for licensing in the Commonwealth. Currently, the Board's education requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Virginia are a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited university/college, 120 hours of education, twenty-four hours in  upper division accounting courses (excludes principles of accounting), and twenty-four hours in business courses (can include up to six hours of accounting, so principles is included here) beyond the accounting courses. The degree must be completed at the time of application.

To be licensed in Virginia the candidate must have 150 hours of education and the work experience requirement is one year of accounting experience for those candidates who possess both an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting.

For detailed information on the qualifications to take the CPA exam in Virginia or for licensing requirements, please see the web site: www.boa.state.va.us

For information on when and where the CPA exam is offered in Virginia, please see the web: www.boa.state.va.us or contact 1-800-CPAEXAM for this information and application forms.

For information on the requirements to become a CPA in another state, visit the AICPA web site at www.aicpa.org to find the telephone number for the appropriate state Board.

HOW DO I GET 150 HOURS

To meet the 150 hour requirement, a student should consider enrolling in our graduate program, the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). The MSA is a broad-based program consisting of thirty hours (ten courses) that can be tailored to meet specialties in public accounting, tax, management accounting, internal auditing, or government accounting. .

WHAT IS ON THE CPA EXAM?

For the most current information on the exam's contents, visit the AICPA web site: www.cpa-exam.org


CPA REVIEW COURSES:

Bisk CPA Review Offered by the ODU Accounting Department
757-683-6577
Email: wberry@odu.edu

Becker Conviser CPA Review
1-877-CPA-EXAM
www.beckerconviser.com

CPA Excel CMA Review
1-800-636-0716

Gleim Wiley CPA
1-800-87GLEIM
www.wiley.com

Kaplan Wise Guides
1-800-KAPTEST