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Are you in the process of earning an online accounting degree? If you are studying to become an accounting professional online, it is important to map out the path that you will take to earn your CPA. Because you are not attending courses on campus, you may not have access to the same counseling appointments that you would have access to if you were reporting to campus each week. If you would like to know how you can become a CPA upon the completion of your accounting degree program, read on and learn what you need to know so that you do not make any mistakes as you are training.
Meeting the Educational Requirements to Sit For Your CPA Exam
Each state has a separate entity referred to as the state board of accountancy, and this board sets the requirements for accountancy professionals. You must meet the state requirements if you would like to sit for the CPA exam, and also if you would like to actively practice. While the requirements can vary from state to state, it is typical for a state to require a candidate to have completed 120 credit hours of coursework through an accredited university or college. The average Bachelor’s degree program is 120 credits in duration, but many states have raised the testing requirement to 150-credits. This means that completing a Bachelor’s degree program may not actually qualify you to be a CPA.
Be sure to check with your state board of accountancy to discover what the credit requirements, accounting course requirements, and the business course requirements are. This will help you decide whether or not you will need to enroll in a graduate-level program once you earn your online accounting degree. If you must enroll in a graduate program, be sure to select courses that will help you fulfill all of the CPA candidate requirements.
Resource: Top 10 Online Accounting Degree Programs
Sitting For the CPA Exam and the Ethics Exam
Only after you can prove that you have completed the requirements to sit for the CPA exam, you can submit your application to sit. Once your are approved for this infamous national test, you will be given a notice that lists that you can schedule your exam. There are 4 different tests you are required to pass, and each section of the test must be passed within 18 months of taking your first test. There are very low pass rates for the CPA, but preparing and using review materials to your advantage can help you improve your chances of passing the first time. After you pass the CPA exam, you will then need to pass the ethics exam before your CPA license will be issued.
As long as you enrolled in an accredited accounting program that maintains its accreditation, you can use the coursework to fulfill the education requirements. Make sure that you are familiar with the education and course requirements while you are still studying for your Bachelor’s. If you need to take more courses, you may be able to enroll in a community college course or a graduate program if you are missing a lot of credits. Map out the route you plan on taking, be sure to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements, and earn your online accounting degree while you satisfy the state CPA prerequisites.
