|
|
|
| Can
the Board office tell me if a course qualifies for CPE credit?
|
|
No-with
one exception; courses that have earned QAS approval will qualify for CPE
credit. It is the licensee’s
responsibility to determine whether a course meets those standards. If you are unsure whether a course will qualify you should
contact the course sponsor for confirmation that their course meets these
standards. |
|
Has
the Board denied credit for courses from any specific sponsor?
|
|
Yes. The American Center for CPE
(ACCPE) was removed from the NASBA Registry program for continual
non-compliance with the Standards. Until
such time that the situation is rectified, credit for any ACCPE course taken
after April 15, 2003 will be disallowed. |
|
If
a course is “QAS” or “NASBA Registry” approved, what does that mean?
|
|
QAS (Quality Assurance Service) and NASBA
(National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) Registry courses have
undergone rigorous testing procedures by NASBA to receive this approval.
|
| What
self-study courses will qualify?
|
|
This
is the standard that applies to self-study:
14.
Standard
No. 7. Self-study programs must
employ learning methodologies that clearly define learning objectives, guide
the participant through the learning process, and provide evidence of a
participant’s satisfactory completion of the program.
15. Commentary. To guide
participants through a learning process, CPE program sponsors of self-study programs must elicit participant
responses to test for understanding of the material, offer evaluative
feedback to incorrect responses, and provide reinforcement feedback to correct
responses. To provide evidence of
satisfactory completion of the course, CPE program sponsors of self-study
programs must require participants to successfully complete a final
examination with a minimum-passing grade of at least 70 percent before issuing
CPE credit for the course. Examinations
may contain questions of varying format, (for example, multiple-choice, essay
and simulations.) If objective type questions are used, at least five
questions per CPE credit must be included on the final examination. For
example, the final examination for a five-credit course must include at least
25 questions.
16.
Self-study programs must be
based on materials specifically developed
for instructional use. Self-study
programs requiring only the reading of general professional literature, IRS
publications, or reference manuals followed by a test will not be acceptable.
However, the use of the publications and reference materials in
self-study programs as supplements to the instructional materials could qualify
if the self-study program complies with each of the CPE standards.
|
|
Where
can I find self-study courses?
|
|
A
good resource is www.cpemarket.com.
It lists a variety of self-study sponsors and courses.
The site gives information on individual courses and whether the course
is interactive, non-interactive, QAS or NASBA Registry approved, recommended
CPE credit, etc.
|
|
If
I am requesting credit for writing an article, book, or CPE program for
publication, what do I need to submit to the Board?
|
|
To
receive CPE credit, an independent party must formally review your work before
it is published. When you submit
your CPE report, you must also submit a statement from the reviewer verifying
that the review was performed, and a published copy of the work.
The CPE Committee reviews all submissions to determine credit
eligibility. You can only receive
credit in the year the work was published. |
|
Do
I need to have a certificate of completion for every course I take?
|
|
Yes.
If the Board requests verification of the course and you do not have
it, credit for that course may be denied.
Certificates, signed by the instructor or sponsor, must verify that you
personally attended the class, date, hours, class title, instructor, and
sponsor information. You must
keep documentation for five years.
|
|
If
I have instructed a course or was a speaker at a seminar, what sort of
verification do I need in order to obtain credit?
|
|
You
must have verification from the sponsor stating that you were the instructor
or speaker.
|
|
My
company provides me with a printout of the CPE courses I have taken throughout
the year. Is this sufficient
documentation?
|
|
The
printout would have to be signed and dated by a partner, supervisor or company
CPE coordinator verifying the accuracy of the report in order to be considered
appropriate documentation.
|
|
Does
in-firm training, firm sponsored training or a firm meeting automatically
qualify for CPE credit?
|
|
No.
Portions of firm meetings dealing with firm business do not qualify as
CPE. Firm training will not
automatically qualify simply because there is a sign-in sheet or document
verifying your attendance. It
must meet the same CPE standards as courses taken outside the firm or company.
|
|
What
happens if credit is denied for one of my courses or if I do not complete my
required CPE credits
by
December 31?
|
|
The
Board may grant extensions of time to complete your required credits for
reasons of health or other good cause. Penalty
hours may be assessed on extensions.
|
|
|
|
Who must comply with the new State Specific Ethics requirement?
|
|
Any licensee may take the course but New, Reinstated, Re-entered or Reciprocal licensees that obtained a license on or after July 1, 2008 are required to obtain the Idaho State Specific Ethics course from the Idaho State Board of Accountancy. This course will be produced by the Board and is scheduled to be available in October. It will cover Idaho’s Accountancy act and rules. |
How do new licensees report CPE if licensed between January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008?
|
|
You will be given credit for 50 credits of CPE in 2008 but you must download the CPE form and fill in the first page with your CP-# and your contact information, sign (type your name on the signature line and date the form. Email the form to slenon@isba.idaho.gov and CC a copy to yourself (this is your receipt of sending your CPE timely) Put your CP# and name in the subject line and 2008 CPE – ex: CP-9999 Jane Doe 2008 CPE |
I am a new licensee as of July 1, 2008. How do I report my first year CPE?
|
|
You will be given credit for 48 hours of CPE in 2008, and you are required to send in or email a signed CPE reporting form showing you have obtained the 2 credit “State Specific CPE course prior to the end of the year to reach your 50 CPE credits. Email the form to slenon@isba.idaho.gov and CC a copy to yourself (this is your receipt of sending your CPE timely) Put your CP# and name in the subject line and 2008 CPE – ex: CP-9999 Jane Doe 2008 CPE |
Is the new Ethic requirement in addition to the current CPE required? |
|
No, it is a component of the current requirement. The CPE requirement is a rolling 80 or more credits in each two-year period and beginning July 1, 2008, 4 of the rolling total credits must be in Ethics every two years. Therefore, you will need to complete a minimum of 30 credits of CPE between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. 2009 is the completion of the first two year rolling total of the 4 CPE credits in Ethics. |
Are the amounts of CPE required per year going to increase? |
|
No, it will remain the same. No more than 50 credits and no less than 30 credits or your required amount of CPE will be credited in any one year. The Statement on Standards for CPE and the Idaho Accountancy Act and Rules are available on our web site at www.isba.idaho.gov. You should be familiar with the Standards to ensure choosing appropriate CPE courses. These Standards went into effect on 7/1/2002. |
What courses will count toward Ethics? |
|
Programs in ethics include topics such as ethical reasoning, state-specific statutes and rules, and standards of professional conduct, including those of other applicable regulatory bodies. |
What if I don’t receive my 4 credits in Ethics? |
|
Licensees must request an extension to be in compliance with license renewal the next year. Penalty hours for non-compliance with the Ethics CPE requirement would be to complete one and one-half times the number of Ethics CPE credits the licensee is short before May 31st of the following year (same as the current penalty for CPE non-compliance.) |
| How do I count my CPE Ethics credits? |
|
If you take two credits in 2008, you will need two credits in 2009 to reach your rolling total of 4 Ethics CPE credits. If you receive one credit in 2008, you will need 3 credits in 2009. What ever your total obtained in 2009 will dictate what your total requirement is going to be in 2010. At that time, the rolling total will be the 2009 and 2010 credits. |
|
|
|
| How many
sections of the exam should I apply for? |
|
You should apply for sections you anticipate taking
during a 6 month period. NASBA
will bill you for all sections that you indicate on your application,
and issue an NTS for those sections after full payment.
|
| How much will
the computerized examination cost? |
|
The Board will
collect the application fee of $100 for initial or transferred applicants
and $50 for re-exam applicants. Other fees are payable to
NASBA. See
this section for Computer Based Testing fees. |
| What will the
deadlines be for the examination? |
|
Application
deadlines will be eliminated, allowing candidates to apply at any time of
year. Once an application is approved, candidates will be notified of the
time period in which they may schedule appointments with a test center. |
| What if a
conflict arises after I have scheduled an appointment to take the
examination? |
|
You may reschedule
your appointment at no charge as long as you reschedule at least 30 days
in advance. If you reschedule between 5 and 30 days before your
appointment, you must pay a nominal fee directly to Prometric - currently
estimated at $35. If you reschedule within 5 days of your appointment, you
will have to pay the full Prometric fee for the section you are
rescheduling. |
| Are there any
restrictions on taking the examination outside of my jurisdiction? |
|
We do not
anticipate any restrictions. One of the benefits of the computer-based
examination is that a testing center outside of the state may be in a city
much closer to a candidate then a test center within the state. However, a
person may not be a candidate for more than one state at the same time and
will not be able to bypass a state's educational or licensing requirements
by taking the examination outside of the state in which he or she is
seeking to become licensed. |
| What is the cost
of taking the examination outside my jurisdiction? |
|
Additional charges
for taking the examination outside of your jurisdiction are not
anticipated. There will be an additional surcharge for the Guam Test
Center. |
| May I still take
the examination outside of my jurisdiction? |
|
Yes. You may
schedule your examination at any Prometric site. |
| Once I apply to
take the examination, how long before I can actually take the examination? |
|
The time will vary
for each jurisdiction and will depend upon whether you are a first-time
applicant or a re-examination applicant. First-time applicants must have
educational eligibility determined, so the process will take a few weeks.
Re-examination applicants should be able to register and will be sent a
notice to schedule the examination as soon as the
Board office is able to process your request. |
| How will I
schedule an examination appointment? |
|
You will apply for
the examination with this office.
After you have been determined eligible to sit for the
examination, the Board will send an Authorization To Test (ATT) to NASBA.
The ATT is valid for a period of 90 days.
NASBA will send you an invoice for the test
sections. The fees must be paid prior to expiration of the
ATT. Once you have paid the appropriate fee, NASBA will send a
Notice to Schedule (NTS).
You will then call Prometric to schedule a testing
appointment(s). The NTS will remain valid for a period of six months. That
means you will have a set period of time from the date the NTS is issued
to schedule and take the examination sections(s) for which you have
applied.
For transition candidates who have already received
credit for test sections, those sections must be completed according to
the transitional
credit rules regardless of the date given on the NTS. |
What educational requirements
must I meet to qualify to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam?
|
|
A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, which includes 30 or more semester
hours in business administration subjects from a college or university
recognized by the Board, of which at least 20 semester hours shall be in the
study of accounting subjects. Additional education requirements are
necessary for licensing. |
| Is my college or university recognized by
the Board? |
|
The Board shall recognize:
-
Any
college or university accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and
Colleges (NASC) or any other regional accrediting association having the
equivalent standards;
-
Any
independent senior college in Idaho certified by the State Department of
Education for teacher training, and;
-
Accounting
and business programs accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate
Schools of Business (AACSB) or any other accrediting agency having
equivalent standards.
|
What is
the structure and length of the computer-based Uniform CPA examination?
|
|
The AICPA Board
of Examiners (BOE) has approved a revised examination with four sections
and a total length of 14 hours. The sections are as follows:
- Auditing & Attestation. This section
covers knowledge of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing
standards and other standards related to attest engagements, and the
skills needed to apply that knowledge in those engagements.
- Financial Accounting & Reporting. This
section covers knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and
governmental entities, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
- Regulation. This section covers knowledge of
federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities, and
business law, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
- Business Environment & Concepts.
This section covers knowledge of general business environment and
business concepts that candidates need to know in order to understand
the underlying business reasons for and accounting implications of
business transactions, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
|
How
much time will I have to complete each examination section?
|
|
| Examination Length (hours) |
Auditing & Attestation |
Financial Accounting & Reporting |
Regulation |
Business Environment & Concepts |
|
14
|
4.5
|
4
|
3
|
2.5
|
|
What
are the content specifications for the computer-based test (CBT)?
|
|
Below
are the main content areas for each section of the Uniform CPA
Examination. For more detailed information about examination content
specifications, go the CPA Exam web site at http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer.html.
Auditing and Attestation
- Planning the engagement
- Internal controls
- Obtain and document information
- Review engagement and evaluate information
- Prepare communications
Business Environment and Concepts
- Business structure
- Economic concepts
- Financial management
- Information technology
- Planning and measurement
Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Concepts and standards for financial statements
- Typical items in financial statements
- Specific types of transactions and events
- Accounting and reporting for governmental entities
- Accounting and reporting for nongovernmental and
not-for-profit organizations
Regulation
- Ethics and professional responsibility
- Business law
- Federal tax procedures and accounting issues
- Federal taxation of property transactions
- Federal taxation—individuals
- Federal taxation—entities
|
When
will the new content specifications go into effect?
|
|
The new content specifications will be effective with
the first computer- delivered exam administration (April 5, 2004).
|
How
does the revised CPA Examination compare to the previous exam?
|
|
The CPA Examination's most visible change is its
transition from a paper and pencil exam to a computer-based test (CBT).
Along with this new delivery method, the examination's content is also
being revised. Based on recent practice analysis findings, the revised
examination incorporates increased emphasis on information technology and
general business knowledge with a broadened scope in the audit area.
Significantly, changes include increased skills testing.
The revised computer-based CPA Examination will be a
14-hour test with four sections: Auditing and Attestation; Financial
Accounting and Reporting; Regulation; and Business Environment and
Concepts.
The content to be tested on the new examination was
identified through a practice analysis and evaluation of the results by
several committees. During the generation of the new specifications there
was no comparison made to the current paper-based examination; the new
specifications were established independently of the current
specifications. However, for transition purposes, we understand it is
important to compare the examinations to help future candidates prepare
for the revised examination. The following table compares the content
areas tested in each section under the current structure and under the
revised structure. The percentages refer to the amount of topical coverage
within the specified section of the examination. The material differences
between the structures are as follows:
- The subject areas contained in Accounting &
Reporting-Taxation, Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations, and
Managerial-have been separated and grouped with subject matter that is
more logically related.
- Accounting and reporting for governmental and
not-for-profit organizations has been placed in Financial Accounting
& Reporting.
- Taxation has been placed in Regulation.
- Managerial has been placed in Business Environment
& Concepts.
- Candidates will be required to demonstrate business
knowledge primarily in the Business Environment & Concepts
section.
| Weight |
Current
Examination |
|
Proposed
Examination |
Weight |
| 100% |
Auditing |
|
Auditing
& Attestation |
100% |
| 100% |
Financial
Accounting & Reporting |
|
Financial
Accounting & Reporting
- Business enterprises
- Governmental entities
- Not-for-profit
organizations |
80%
10%
10%
|
|
60%
30%
10%
|
Accounting
& Reporting
- Taxation
- Governmental and Not-for-
Profit Organizations
- Managerial (measurement)
|
|
Regulation
- Taxation
- Law & Professional
Responsibilities (all areas
other than Business
Structure) |
60%
40%
|
|
20%
80%
|
Law
& Professional Responsibilities
- Business Structure
- All areas other than
Business Structure |
|
Business
Environment & Concepts
- Business Structure
- Measurement (managerial))
- All areas other than
Business Structure and
Measurement (not
separately tested on
current examination) |
20%
10%
70%
|
The examination will include
multiple-choice questions and case studies called simulations. The
multiple-choice portion of the examination will appear as sequential
testlets. Testlets are groups of questions that are constructed to appear
together. Each exam section will include approximately three
multiple-choice testlets. Each testlet will contain 24 to 30 items
(questions). Each exam section, except Business Environment and Concepts,
will also initially include two simulations. Each simulation is also
considered a testlet.
Simulations are condensed case studies that will test
candidates’ accounting knowledge and skills using real life work-related
situations. Each simulation is approximately 30-50 minutes in length
and will complement the multiple-choice portion of the examination.
All simulations are intended to assess knowledge and
skills that are appropriate to expect of an entry-level accountant.
|
What
are simulations?
|
|
A simulation can be defined as an “assessment of
knowledge and skills in context approximating that found on the job
through the use of realistic scenarios and tasks, and access to normally
available and familiar resources”.
Simply put, simulations are condensed case studies that
will test candidates’ knowledge and skills using real life work-related
situations. Each simulation is approximately 30-50 minutes in length and
will complement the multiple-choice portion of the examination. Each exam
section, except Business Environment and Concepts, will initially include
two simulations.
All simulations are intended to assess knowledge and
skills that are appropriate to expect of an entry-level accountant.
|
Do
I need special training to successfully complete these simulations?
|
|
CPA candidates are assumed to possess basic computer
skills including the use of a mouse and keyboard. In addition they are
expected to know how to use common spreadsheet and word processing
functions, including writing formulae for spreadsheets. They must also
have the ability to use a four-function calculator or a spreadsheet to
perform standard financial calculations. In addition, candidates will be
asked to use authoritative literature, to answer auditing, accounting and
taxation questions, to support judgments, and to create formal audit
communications.
All CPA candidates are strongly encouraged to review the
exam tutorial at http://www.cpa-exam.org/lrc/exam_tutorial.html.
The tutorial explains the design and operation of the computer-based test,
and reviews the types of questions and responses used in the new exam.
Sample tests that contain a few sample multiple-choice questions and a
sample simulation for each applicable section (BEC will not contain
simulations at launch) will be available at www.cpa-exam.org
in early 2004. The sample tests will use the same software that is used
for the operational examination. Neither the tutorial nor the sample test
will be available at the test centers.
|
Will
I have to learn any special software or programs in order to complete the
simulations?
|
|
CPA candidates are expected to know how to use common
spreadsheet and word processing functions, including writing formulas for
spreadsheets. They must also have the ability to use a four-function
calculator or a spreadsheet to perform standard financial calculations. In
addition, candidates will be asked to use online authoritative literature.
Many of the question types used in the simulations are based on familiar
computer interface controls (e.g., text entry, mouse clicks, highlighting,
copy and pasting). In order to become familiar with the electronic tools
provided for research questions, further practice may be required.
All CPA candidates are strongly encouraged to review the
exam tutorial at http://www.cpa-exam.org/lrc/exam_tutorial.html.
The tutorial explains the design and operation of the computer-based test,
and reviews the types of questions and responses used in the new exam.
Sample tests that contain a few sample multiple-choice questions and a
sample simulation for each applicable section (BEC will not contain
simulations at launch) will be available at www.cpa-exam.org in early
2004. The sample tests will use the same software that is used for the
operational examination. Neither the tutorial nor the sample test will be
available at the test centers.
|
What
resources will I have access to during the test-taking session?
|
|
Resources available depend on the simulation that the
candidate receives. Those common to all simulations include a
four-function pop-up calculator, a blank spreadsheet with some elementary
functionality, and authoritative literature appropriate to the section of
the test.
While completing the case study simulations, you will
use financial accounting, auditing, or taxation databases. The financial
accounting database will include certain portions of the FASB’s Original
Pronouncements and Current Text. The auditing database will include
certain portions of the AICPA’s Professional Standards. The taxation
database will include certain portions of the federal tax code. The
databases include all the excerpts that are necessary for completion of
the case study simulations.
All CPA candidates are strongly encouraged to review the
exam tutorial at http://www.cpa-exam.org/lrc/exam_tutorial.html.
The tutorial explains the design and operation of the computer-based test,
and reviews the types of questions and responses used in the new exam.
Sample tests that contain a few sample multiple-choice questions and a
sample simulation for each applicable section (BEC will not contain
simulations at launch) will be available at www.cpa-exam.org in early
2004. The sample tests will use the same software that is used for the
operational examination. Neither the tutorial nor the sample test will be
available at the test centers.
|
What
skills are going to be measured in these simulations? How are those skills
going to be measured?
|
|
The revised CPA Examination will assess the skills an
entry-level CPAs must have in order to ensure the protection of the public
interest, as identified by the most recent accounting practice analysis.
The skills are: Analysis, Judgment, Communication, Research, and
Understanding.
• Analysis is the ability to organize, process, and
interpret data to develop options for decision-making.
• Judgment is the ability to evaluate options for
decision-making and provide an appropriate conclusion.
• Communication is the ability to effectively elicit
and/or express information through written or oral means.
• Research is the ability to locate and extract
relevant information from available resource materials.
• Understanding is the ability to recognize and
comprehend the meaning and application of a particular matter.
For information on how these skills will be assessed in
the revised examination, review the CBT skills definition and weighting
targets document dated April 14, 2003. Download that document from the CPA
Exam web site at http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer.html.
|
Can
I go back and review/change an answer during the examination?
|
|
You may review and change any answers within each
testlet or simulation. However, once you have exited a testlet or
simulation, you will not be able to go back to retrieve, review, or change
any of your answers to any of the questions.
|
Are
any additional skills being tested on the computer-based CPA Examination?
|
|
For information on skills assessment in the revised
examination, review the CBT skills definition and weighting targets
document dated April 14, 2003. Download the document from the CPA Exam web
site at http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer.html
|
Will
the computerized exam change in the future?
|
|
As with the paper-and-pencil based Uniform CPA
Examination, the exam content will be kept current. Some parts of
simulations might change, and improvements in the graphical user interface
may occur.
|
How
often will the exam authoritative literature databases be updated?
|
|
As it relates to the simulations, the databases will be
updated annually. In a rare situation, a recent FASB or AICPA
pronouncement or a change in the code may impact the simulation. In those
situations, a candidate should answer the simulation using the database
provided.
|
What
about accounting and auditing pronouncements?
|
|
Accounting and auditing pronouncements are eligible to
be tested on the Uniform CPA Examination in the window beginning six
months after a pronouncement’s effective date, unless early
application is permitted. When early application is permitted, the new
pronouncement is eligible to be tested in the window beginning six months
after the issuance date. In this case, both the old and new
pronouncements may be tested until the old pronouncement is superseded.
For the federal taxation area, the Internal Revenue Code
and federal tax regulations in effect six months before the beginning of
the current testing window may be tested on the Uniform CPA Examination.
For all other materials covered in the Regulation and
Business Environment and Concepts sections, material eligible to be tested
includes federal laws in the testing window beginning six months after
their effective date and uniform acts in the window beginning one
year after their adoption by a simple majority of the jurisdictions.
|
Will
Sarbanes-Oxley and PCAOB be tested on the new computerized CPA Exam when
is starts on April 5, 2004?
|
|
The Sarbanes -Oxley Act of 2002 is eligible for testing
on the computerized CPA exam. For the present, the Act will only apply to
questions specifically directed at SEC reporting companies. For all other
questions dealing with professional responsibilities, the AICPA standards
still apply.
|
How
will essays be handled under the computer-based test (CBT)?
|
|
In place of essays, an assessment of written
communication skills will be incorporated into the simulation portion of
the revised examination. The testing of written communication skills was
identified by the most recent accounting practice analysis and supported
by a special task force consisting of CPAs, psychometricians, and writing
experts. They recommended testing written communication in context by
requiring the candidate to write memoranda, letters to clients, or other
communications that an entry-level CPA would write on the job.
|
What
does it mean when an exam question is "retired"?
|
|
It means that the question will no longer be included on
the CPA examination, and may be disclosed for use as study material.
|
How
was the structure and length of the new exam decided?
|
|
The AICPA Board of Examiners (BOE) charged the Content
Oversight Task Force (COTF) and its successor, the Content Committee, with
overseeing the most recent accounting practice analysis. The Content
Committee comprised of academics and accounting professionals, in
consultation with psychometricians, then made recommendations to the BOE
about the proposed structure and content of the Uniform CPA Examination.
The examination’s 14-hour length was chosen because it
is considered optimal to provide ample content coverage, psychometric
reliability and validity of scores, and for candidates to demonstrate the
appropriate knowledge and skills. The BOE will monitor both pretest and
operational results of the revised examination an ongoing basis, to ensure
it continues to meet its required public protection objectives.
|
How
was the content of the computer-based CPA Examination developed?
|
|
Licensure-related examinations must be directly related
to the entry-level knowledge and skills necessary to protect the public
interest. The identification of distinct knowledge and skills typically
comes from a practice analysis, which then serves as the foundation for
decisions regarding the content and structure of the licensure
examination.
The 2000 Accounting Practice Analysis included a survey
that consisted of two separate measures. One asked for ratings of tasks
performed by entry-level CPAs, while the other asked for ratings of
knowledge and skill statements. In the task survey, respondents were asked
to rate the importance and frequency of each task to their work. The
knowledge and skill survey asked respondents to rate each statement for
importance, depth of knowledge required (for the knowledge statements
only), and point of acquisition (that is, when the knowledge or skill was
acquired—before passing the CPA Examination, within three years of
passing the CPA Examination, or thereafter).
An initial list of the content knowledge to be tested on
or excluded from the CPA Examination was drafted based on an analysis of
the survey results. This draft list was reviewed and revised by the
Content Oversight Task Force (COTF) and Content Committee, subcommittees
of the AICPA Board of Examiners (BOE), and experienced CPA Examination
test developers. Once the list of content to be tested was established,
proposed content specifications were drafted and reviewed by the same
groups. The content specifications were then revised as needed and
submitted for final review. Because the new specifications were generated
independently of the current content specifications, the proposed content
specifications were compared with the current content specifications to
ensure that no important content was inadvertently omitted.
|
|
I have passed the Uniform CPA Examination as an Idaho candidate, what else do I
need to do to become licensed? |
|
You must
submit your experience on forms approved by the Board and the "Application
for License". You are also required to successfully complete a course
in ethics. You must also meet the 150 hour education requirement unless
otherwise exempt.
Experience: One year is required, either full time or
part time, that extends over a period of no less than 12 months and no more than
36 months and includes no fewer than 2,000 hours. Experience must be obtained
within the 10 years period immediately preceding the application for license.
Experience must be verified by a licensee who held a current and active
license at the time the experience was obtained.
An applicant shall
be
deemed to have met the education
requirement for licensure if, as part of the one hundred fifty (150) semester hours of
education, the applicant has met any one (1) of the following four (4)
conditions:
1) Earned a graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from a
program that is accredited in accounting by an accrediting agency approved by
the Board;
2) Earned a graduate degree from a
program that is accredited in business by an accrediting agency approved by the
Board and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at
the undergraduate or fifteen (15) semester hours at the graduate level, or an
equivalent combination thereof, including coverage of, but not necessarily
separate courses in, the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation,
and management accounting;
3) Earned a baccalaureate degree from a program that is accredited
in business by an accrediting agency approved by the Board and completed
twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate
level including coverage of, but not necessarily separate courses in, the
subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business courses
(other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level; or
4)
Earned a
baccalaureate or higher degree and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester
hours in accounting at the upper division or graduate level at an institution
approved by the Board and including coverage of, but not necessarily separate
courses in, the
subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business courses
(other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level.
|
| Is the first
license pro-rated? |
|
No, the
licensing period is July 1st thru June 30th and the cost for the first year
license is the same regardless of the issue date. |
| I am
an out-of-state CPA and I have an Idaho client, do I need to be licensed? |
|
If the
work is 10 days or less in a calendar year, a license is not required
(Rule 303.04.f).
If your principal place of business is not in Idaho, and
your work is more than 10 days, you can apply for Practice
Privileges. If you prefer, you can also apply for a reciprocal
license. |
| I have decided to place my license in inactive status, what will be required
if I decide to later reinstate my license? |
|
You will be
required to complete 80 hours of continuing professional education in the 12
months prior to applying for reinstatement. You will need to provide
appropriate documentation of these hours along with the Application for
Reinstatement. You will also be required to pay the appropriate fees. |
| How
do I order the ethics course? |
|
Contact the AICPA
at 1-800-862-4272 or order
online. |
| Effective
July 1, 2002 150 semester credits are required prior to licensure, does this
apply to me if I sat for the examination prior to July 1, 2002? |
|
Idaho
Code 54-207 (3) states that the Board may adopt rules allowing persons who met
the education requirements of Section 54-208 when they first sat for the
examination to become licensed even though they do not meet the education
requirements of section 54-207 (150 semester hours).
Rule 300.01a states in part that an applicant for licensure
who was accepted for the May 2000 CPA Examination or prior examination does not
have to fulfill additional educational requirements beyond those required as the
time of acceptance to sit for the CPA examination.
|
| What
are the educational requirements prior to licensure? |
|
Semester Hours:
An applicant
for licensure must have at least one hundred fifty (150) semester hours of
college education including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a
college or university acceptable to the Board. An applicant for licensure who
was accepted for the May 2000 CPA Examination or prior examination does not have
to fulfill additional
educational requirements beyond those required at the time of acceptance to sit
for the CPA Examination.
|
|
|
Accreditation:
The Board shall
recognize:
Any college or university accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and
Colleges (NASC) or any other regional accrediting association having the
equivalent standards;
Any independent senior college in Idaho certified by the State Department
of Education for teacher training, and;
Accounting
and business programs accredited by the American Assembly of
Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or any other accrediting agency having
equivalent standards.
|
|
|
Education Requirement:
An applicant shall
be
deemed to have met the education
requirement if, as part of the one hundred fifty (150) semester hours of
education, the applicant has met any one (1) of the following four (4)
conditions:
1) Earned a graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from a
program that is accredited in accounting by an accrediting agency approved by
the Board;
2) Earned a graduate degree from a
program that is accredited in business by an accrediting agency approved by the
Board and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at
the undergraduate or fifteen (15) semester hours at the graduate level, or an
equivalent combination thereof, including coverage of, but not necessarily
separate courses in, the subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation,
and management accounting;
3) Earned a baccalaureate degree from a program that is accredited
in business by an accrediting agency approved by the Board and completed
twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate
level including coverage of, but not necessarily separate courses in, the
subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business courses
(other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level; or
4)
Earned a
baccalaureate or higher degree and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester
hours in accounting at the upper division or graduate level at an institution
approved by the Board and including coverage of, but not necessarily separate
courses in, the
subjects of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting;
and completed at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business courses
(other than accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level.
|
|
When does my license expire? |
|
The expiration date
for a CPA or LPA license is June 30th. Renewal is required on an annual
basis no later than July 1st. |
| What
forms of payment are acceptable for licensing? |
|
The Board currently accepts
checks, cash and money
orders. |
