What is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?
Learn what exactly a CPA is and how to become one.
What is a CPA?
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals and businesses plan and reach their financial goals. CPAs are licensed professionals who have met rigorous educational, examination, and experience requirements.
How to Become a CPA
Dreaming of becoming a CPA? Here’s how:
Education: Obtain a bachelor's degree with required accounting and business credits (usually 150 credit hours - check with your state's Board of Accountancy).
Experience: Gain relevant work experience under a licensed CPA.
Examination: Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
Licensing: Obtain a CPA license from your state's Board of Accountancy.
The CPA Exam Sections
The CPA Exam has four sections. There are three core sections (AUD, FAR, & REG) and one discipline (BAR, ISC, & TCP). Exam takers must take the three core sections and have the ability to choose which discipline they would like to take.
Core Sections:
Auditing and Attestation (AUD): Auditing procedures, standards, and ethics.
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): Financial accounting standards and principles.
Regulation (REG):Federal taxation, ethics, and business law.
Discipline Sections (NEW IN 2024):
Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR): Focuses on business analysis and reporting skills.
Information Systems and Controls (ISC): Covers IT governance, cybersecurity, and systems and organization control engagements.
Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP): Focuses on tax compliance and planning skills.
Conclusion
Becoming a CPA is a rewarding journey that opens doors to numerous career opportunities 💡💰. At Affordable Knowledge, we're here to support you every step of the way. Let us help you achieve your professional goals!