CPA Exam FAQs

All answers are specific to the requirements in Indiana. Should you plan to become licensed in another state, be sure to read and understand the rules & regulations set by that state's board of accountancy. Requirements vary from state-to-state.

I'm considering a career shift, but my undergraduate degree isn't in accounting. Can I become a CPA?

Yes! To sit for the CPA Exam, CPA candidates must meet the 150-credit hour requirement. Within these 150 credit hours, a specific number of accounting and business administration courses must be taken. Since you already have an undergraduate degree, you have already fulfilled the majority of the 150-credit hour requirement. Now, you'll need to make sure you take the proper number of accounting and business administration hours. View the educational requirements here.

What specific classes do I need to take?

There is not a specific list of required classes. However, you must meet the educational requirements set by the Indiana Board of Accountancy. The accounting hours must include at least one course covering financial accounting, auditing, taxation and managerial accounting. The business administration courses may include up to six hours of business and tax law courses and up to six hours of computer science courses. View the educational requirements here.

I've met the accounting & business administration course requirements. What other classes should I take to reach 150-credit hour?

The Indiana CPA Society recommends taking classes that will help prepare you for the CPA Exam and your future career as a CPA. Simply taking yoga, ceramics or bowling, although fun, is not going to help you succeed in your future career. Taking elective accounting and business courses, a public speaking class or even a business writing class are all great options.

How do I know if the classes I've taken meet the requirements? Am I on the right track?

First, set an appointment with your advisor. He/she should be able to answer these questions. Another option is to have a transcript pre-evaluation conducted by CPA Exam Services. Pre-evaluations are advisory in nature and are not a final determination of eligibility. A pre-evaluation allows a candidate to correct academic deficiencies prior to submitting an Indiana First-time Application for the Uniform CPA Examination. There is a $50 fee. You can view the Indiana pre-evaluation here.

If I took Intermediate Accounting at my former school and then again at my current school, will both credits count toward the 150-credit hour requirement?

No. College courses with substantial duplication of content may be counted only one time toward the requirements. This does not apply to internships.

Can I sit for the CPA Exam when I'm still completing my course work?

No. If you plan to become licensed in Indiana, you cannot sit for the CPA Exam until you’ve met the 150-credit hour requirement.

Once I've graduated, how do I get the ball rolling?

Sixty (60) days prior to completing the 150-credit hour requirement, you may apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. You will fill out the First-time Application and pay the necessary fees. CPA Exam Services must receive the completed first-time application, application and examination fees, official transcripts and foreign evaluations, if applicable. Once your materials are received and reviewed, NASBA will issue a Notice to Schedule. You then have six months to schedule your first Exam.

If I will graduate on Dec. 11 (meeting the 150 credit hour requirement), when can I apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam?

If you will meet the 150 credit hour requirement on Dec. 11, you can apply for the CPA Exam 60 days before Dec. 11.

Who does the letter from the institution (COE) need to come from? The guidance office, records office, teacher, etc.?

For early application, your schools dean or registrar will need to complete the certificate of enrollment form and the academic institution must send it directly to CPA Exam Services.

When must I prove that I’ve graduated and met the necessary education requirements?

You must submit proof to CPA Exam Services that you have met the 150 credit hour requirement no later than 60 days immediately following the end of the window in which the candidate sits for the examination.

Where do I send proof that I have graduated?

Send proof to CPA Examination Services-IN, P.O. Box 198469, Nashville, TN 37219

What if I do not complete the necessary education requirements?

The Indiana Board of Accountancy and/or CPA Exam Services may cancel your notice to schedule and/or cancel any examination scores received by a candidate who fails to meet the requirements.

How long will it take to receive a notice to schedule?

It typically takes between six and eight weeks for a first time candidate.

When can I start taking the CPA Exam?

Once you have met all educational requirements. If you have not met the 150-credit hour requirement, you may not sit for the CPA Exam.

If I apply and pass a section of the CPA Exam and fail to provide proof of the 150-credit hour requirement, what happens?

The Indiana Board of Accountancy and/or CPA Exam Services may cancel any examination scores received by a candidate who fails to meet the requirements.

Why does applying early for the CPA Exam matter?

Being able to apply 60 days prior to graduation will allow you to schedule your CPA Exams right after graduation. For example, Johnny Apple graduates in December. Now he can apply for the Exam 60 days prior to graduation (in October). Since CPA Exam Services takes six to eight weeks to send your notice to schedule, you will receive your notice to schedule right around graduation. Essentially, you can begin the CPA Exam in the January-February testing window.

In the past, if you were to graduate in December, you were required to wait and send your application once you’ve met the 150-hour education requirement. With the six to eight week wait time for the notice to schedule, the earliest you’d be able to sit for the CPA Exam would have been in late February or April (March is a closed testing window)! This is a huge benefit to Indiana students.

Where do I take the CPA Exam?

The CPA Exam is administered at Prometric testing centers. For a list of testing centers in your area, visit prometric.com.

What is the CPA Exam format?

The CPA Exam is a computer based test (CBT). There are four Exam sections, Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Regulation and Business Environment and Concepts. Each Exam will include sets of multiple-choice questions (testlets). In addition, each sections except BEC will contain simulations. For more information on the CPA Exam, visit cpa-exam.org.

When is the CPA Exam offered?

The CPA Exam is offered in four testing windows. It's available in January and February, April and May, July and August, and October and November. The Exam is not available in March, June, September or December.

Once I've passed the CPA Exam, what's next?

Congrats! The difficult part is over. The next step is determining if you've met the experience requirements. If you already have 24 months of full-time employment that meets the requirements, you can apply for the CPA license . If you do not, you must meet the employment requirements before applying for the CPA license.

I did an internship at a CPA firm in college, does this time count toward the experience requirement?

Yes. Internships count. Experience in fractions of months will be counted.

I record information into the general ledger at my church, does this count toward the experience requirement?

No. Clerical functions shall not count toward meeting the experience requirements. Clerical functions are positions that do not have accounting significance, including doing merely mathematical calculations, account analysis (looking into accounting books for specific information already recorded), merely recording information into the general ledger (as opposed to compiling the information).

The Indiana CPA Society is your professional home. INCPAS has the resources and staff available to assist you at every stage of your career.

For specific licensing questions, contact the Indiana Board of Accountancy at (317) 234-3040 or pla11@pla.IN.gov.

For additional information regarding the CPA Exam, CPA profession and licensing, visit these web sites:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Indiana Board of Accountancy
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
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