For entry level CPAs, the accounting profession is providing them with good and competitive salaries. This salary of a CPA is very true especially if they have accomplished their CPA certification.

There are various reports and surveys with regards to CPA salaries and the figures differ slightly with each other. This is because of some factors that the numbers are dependent upon.

Factors Affecting the Salary of a CPA

The key factors that affect CPA salaries are: 1) the state where they practice their profession, 2) the CPA’s level in the company, 3) the number of years they have been practicing their profession, and 4) the size of the company they are working with.

The salary of a CPA is higher in bigger states such as New York and California in comparison to other states in the United States. It is quite obvious that the larger the company the CPA is working with and the higher is his position in the company, the bigger will be the pay package given to him.

For CPAs having one to three years of work experience in their profession, small companies will give them the salary range from $35,000 to $47,000 while big companies can provide the salary range from $42,750 to $60,000. The salary of a CPA who has earned a master’s degree as well as a CPA certification is more likely to about ten percent more than those who do not have these essential certifications.

For CPAs who are public firm partners, they tend to receive salaries at the average of $175,000. This amount gets higher as their work experience increases and as the firm gets bigger.

For CPAs who are directors in large companies can expect receive a salary that range from $85,000 to $130,000. For those in the medium size companies, they can expect their salaries to be around $76,750 to $111,000. Smaller companies will have the capacity to offer salaries from $71,500 to $90,250.

In the world of business and industry, the salary of a CPA who are the company’s Chief Financial Officers or treasurers range from $244,500 to $347,250. This applies to those companies who have their annual sales of more than $500 million. Bonuses as well as incentives do greatly play a major part in the compensation package for CPAs who are in the senior level positions of the companies.

Comparing the salary of a CPA state-wise, the states with the highest median salaries are New York and California amounting to $75,000. Next in line is the state of Texas for the amount of $69,000 and followed closely by the state of Illinois for the amount of $68,000.

Certified Public Accountant (also known as CPA) is a special statutory title that is given to individuals who pass the Uniform CPA exam in the United States. California is one of the areas in the country where professionals can take the examination. In order to get a California CPA license, it is important to satisfy all the requirements set by the state board. Aside from the requirements for first-time applicants, the state board also sets requirements for license renewal. Below are the requirements for applying and renewing a California CPA license.

Application for License to Practice in the State

Becoming a CPA in California is not that easy since applicants should complete or satisfy several requirements set by the state board. One of the requirements is attaining a bachelor?s degree in any university or college in the United States. In addition, it is also necessary that applicants finish at least 24 semester hours in accounting courses as well as 24 semester hours in business courses. Aside from these, applicants should take and pass the Uniform CPA exam facilitated by the members or officials of the state board. Moreover, applicants cannot get their licenses if they do not pass a special course on ethics and they do not have at least two years experience in accounting firms.

Application for License to Practice in Other States

Individuals who want to take the exam in California but like to practice in other areas in the United States, they need to satisfy the following requirements. The first requirement is having a bachelor?s degree from any college or university in the country. Second, applicants should have 24 semester hours in courses related to accounting. Third, it is important that they finish 24 semester hours in courses related to business. Fourth, applicants must have 150 semester hours in education courses. Fifth, it is necessary that they pass the Uniform CPA exam. Sixth, applicants are required to have at least a year working experience with a CPA. Finally, applicants should also pass a special exam on ethics.

Renewal of License

Certified Public Accountants are also required to renew their license to attain an active status. To do this, there are some requirements that they need to satisfy. Before CPAs can renew their licenses in California, they need to complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education. Some of the topics that they need to master include income statement and balance sheet, income taxes as well as long term debt and contingencies.

Few would argue the need to take a CPA prep course as a means for helping get ready for the real exams. But there are a lot of things that you need to be aware of to increase your chances of succeeding.

Check the Qualifications

Examine the credentials of the instructor prior to joining a live class. Is he / she a full time teacher or just part time? Listen carefully to what they’re saying. Do they seem knowledgeable or are they just reading the material? You should also be wary of those who only depend on their experience.

That last point is important; these days, CPA exams are done with computers. If your CPA prep course teacher is still used to the pencil and paper routine, you won’t be updated on the latest techniques.

A note on online classes: some so called interactive classes just play back a prerecorded video instead of offering a real instructor, so beware.

Audio Recordings and Weekend Classes

If you’re busy, there are now live classes that take place weekly. This setup makes it more convenient for those who are busy during the whole week. Another tip: use audio recordings. You can listen to these after work or when you’re traveling. It’s a convenient way to learn and review the things that you’re studied already.

The audio recordings are also ideal for those who prefer the self study route. It’s also suited for those who’d rather study at home than travel just to get to class.

Self Study or Live Class?

The self study CPA prep courses are suited for those who have self discipline. If you need supervision or procrastinate, taking a live class will be the better option. A structured review course is also suited for those who’ve graduated from their accountancy course years ago.

Updated Study Materials

Classes and structured review courses offer updated study materials. If you’re self studying, acquiring the newest study materials is also a must.

For starters, you need to get familiar with the software. It’s very different from the ones you typically use. Spend as much time as possible getting familiar with the exam questions and sample test papers. Go over all the topics carefully.

When looking for updated CPA prep course study materials, never buy anything that is a year old. These older materials are cheaper, but the information contained will be out of date. It’s better to spend money on new materials that make errors in the actual CPA exam because of outdated study tools.

Tips on Product Research

Compare the AICPA exams with the product you’re researching. Are they similar? Are the questions tough enough without being too confusing? What about the help file? Does it actually help?

If you’re taking the exam online, how extensive are the features? Can you take the exam online or do you have to print the papers out? Printing every test paper will end up costing you a lot of money. In that case, you might be better off buying a book.

Some people feel that the choices they have to make when choosing the CPA prep course is as hard as the actual exam. But you need to persevere. Invest time in making the right choices, and you will be better prepared for the CPA exam.

In order to get a license as a Certified Public Accountant (also known as CPA), there are some requirements that you need to satisfy such as passing the Uniform CPA exam. However, to retain one?s license to practice the profession, some state boards in the United States require CPAs to complete Continuing Professional Education units. The units that they should finish depend on the state where they want to practice the profession. They can take the graduate units online or in traditional schools. To learn more about CPA Continuing Professional Education, let us have a look at the units that the accountants should complete.

Arizona

In Arizona, individuals who want to retain their license should finish several CPE units. The auditing and accounting units that they should complete include financial forecasting, mortgage lending, fraud detection and the analysis of financial statements. Aside from these, they should complete units on consulting services like asset management, capital budgeting analysis, corporate bonds basic, evaluating financial performance, investment analysis as well as valuations and securities. In addition, they are required to finish units on ethics such as consumer protection, real estate professionals ethics, anti-money laundering, financial professionals ethics and accountants ethics.

California

Accountants who want to renew their license in California should complete CPE units on accounting and auditing, which include internal control, real estate mathematics, capital management and revenue recognition. When it comes to consulting services, some of the units that they need to finish are advanced estate planning, corporate pension plans, consumer protection law, improving cash flow, investment risk as well as qualified retirement plans. In order to retain their license, it is necessary that they finish units in business management such as employment law, legal environments of business, managing corporate records, proactive supervision, business continuity planning and business conduct practices.

North Carolina

Individuals who like to renew their CPA license in North Carolina should finish graduate units in auditing and accounting such as real estate investments and financing, tools in financial forecasting, rules in revenue recognition, specialized industries GAAP and fraud detection. Aside from these, they need to complete Continuing Professional Education units in consulting services, which include consumer protection law, corporate pension plans, corporate finance for professionals, advanced estate planning, investment policy and risk as well as HR-10 plans. Finally, it is important that they complete units in ethics like the principles of consumer protection and fraud, anti-money laundering as well as ethics for financial professionals, real estate professionals and accountants.

Obtaining a CPA license is a lucrative career move for both experienced accountants and aspiring students. Students should make it part of their career goals after working on their degrees. Obtaining a CPA license is not only open doors to financially rewarding opportunities; it also earns respect in the general public and business owners in particular. However, you should meet certain requirements to get certified and obtain your very own license.

The Three E’s

It is true that the CPA exam you will undertake will be the same whatever state you go to. However, you should still take note of the license requirements for your particular state. Take note that each state has its own accountancy board. This board will be chiefly responsible in determining the amount of education and level of experience one needs in order to obtain a license.

More often than not, these accountancy boards will usually require all three E’s to obtaining a CPA license. These necessary three E’s are experience, education, and examination. You’ll most likely be required to obtain all three things mentioned. In addition, you should also check with your state’s accountancy board for any other necessary requirements.

Complete Education and Experience Requirements

Every state will certainly require both education and experience for those who are on the path to obtaining a CPA license. You will either go over a two-tier or one-tier system in obtaining a CPA license depending on your state. Each state will have either the single tier or two-tier system.

If your state has the two-tier system then this simply means you can go right ahead and take the CPA exam even before getting the experience requirements done. After passing the exam you can work on the relevant experience required. Obviously the one-tier system will have it the other way around. Either way, the education requirements for all states are pretty much the same, which is 150 semester hours.

Study Hard

Of course, you will need to really put all the 150 semester hours to good use, which basically means studying hard. This also rings true especially when the time to take the CPA exams is near.

Settle Business with the Board

Contact the exam board for your state and apply for the exam. You may request to have them send the necessary forms to you. Fill out the forms, submit them, and pay the necessary fees. If there are any other requirements that your local board requires and accomplish them preferably ahead of time. Make use of any information your local board will give you.

Few methods help you get ready for the exam than a CPA review course. Regardless of the program you choose, these tips will be beneficial.

Live or Online Learning?

A lot of programs offer online services. For many this is the more convenient method. From the comforts of your home you can study. Others however, prefer the traditional ways of learning. Just ask yourself: can you commit to studying by yourself? If the answer’s yes, online study will suit you fine.

But if you prefer to listen to lectures, the live version may be more preferable. This is also more suitable for those who prefer a more visual approach to studying a CPA review course.

Scheduling

You also need to work out your scheduling. Courses today are now very flexible. Go over each one carefully. Assess your situation and pick the ones that fit your timetable best.
Expenses

Don’t let the expenses dictate the type of course you’ll take. Most of the time, your employer will shoulder all or part of the costs. Because the compensation differs, you should consult the firm to get the facts and figures.

There are also review service providers that offer discounts. When choosing a service provider, make inquiries regarding these offerings. Getting discounts will help when you’re studying a CPA review course.

Assess the Services Provided

The review setting can determine how well you do in the actual exam. You should always go with those that simulate the real exam. This helps you prepare for the real thing.

The more realistic the environment, the more prepared you’ll be. Of course if you’re more at ease with the Q&A style, go for it. A lot of providers also have final reviews.

Read the fine print before joining. If there’s an element you can’t understand, ask questions. Keep making these inquiries until everything is clear.

The bottom line: make certain you know the requirements and what you’ll receive. Nothing is more frustrating than studying a CPA review course and finding you get less than one you expect. Go over all the details.

Other Suggestions

Get in touch with those who have gone before you. Don’t be shy about asking for advice. Learn what preparation they took. Strive to emulate what they did and didn’t do.

Don’t throw away your old books. Some service providers are educating in new ways. Use these books to assist you in understanding the instructions. These providers often just change the phrasing. Use your old tomes to recognize their meaning.

Finally, you should be committed to it. The longer you put it off, the more taxing the schedule will be. Don’t wait for the right time. The right time is now.

The hard work may cause frustration. However, putting off the exam for next month won’t help. If you’re going to take the course, throw yourself into it. Slacking off won’t get you a passing score.

Taking a CPA review course isn’t going to guarantee a passing score. But it does mean you’ll be better prepared.

A lot of people now take a CPA exam preparation class to get ready for the actual exams. These can be helpful, but there are a few things you need to account for. The course or class you choose will make a big difference.

Live Classes

This is the traditional way of teaching and it’s still popular. The major service providers often have hundreds of class locations. Finding one near your area shouldn’t be too hard. They also offer flexible and varying schedules. This should help you find one that matches your available time.

The main benefit of the live class is the schedule. It’s fixed so the temptation for slacking off is reduced. The presence of an instructor ensures you are progressing. A live CPA exam preparation class will keep you focused. There’s also the advantage of studying with other people. You’ll get insights and perspectives on the subject.

Online Studies

You can also study online. With the major service providers, you get the benefit of the instructor too. You can also interact with other students. Most of these classes are weekly. This gives you more scheduling flexibility. You’ll also have access to the guides online. This allows you to go over the instructions whenever needed.

Note: these online programs will require a DSL or cable Web connection. A 56k modem will be too slow. In addition you’ll need a media player. Support for Flash, QuickTime and other popular video formats will be necessary too. Also, some of these online CPA exam preparation classes may conduct sessions more than once a week.

Self Study Option

The self study programs let you study anytime you want. There are no instructors, no deadlines and no scheduling. You can study and research as long as you wish. This is ideal for those who want to learn at their own time and pace.

While this schedule is very flexible, it’s best for those who are disciplined. For disciplined students, the lack of supervision won’t be a hinder. Some also prefer this option because they can study better. Some are just more proficient learning on their own than in classes or seminars.

Other Reminders

The CPA exam preparation class methods mentioned are being provided by many services. You’ll need to assess each one. Some will have more features than others.

You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each one. Don’t just rely on the info provided by the site. Go to forums or ask exam passers what they think of this particular service provider.

When choosing between the three options, think of where you’ll excel. Be honest with yourself. Do you have the discipline for self study? Do you feel more comfortable studying by yourself?

Remember, you’ll be taking these classes to prepare for the exam. Go with the method that will be most beneficial. You also need to persevere with the tests.

Passing the exam may seem like a daunting task. However, going through a CPA exam preparation class should ease some of the burden and pressure.

These CPA exam preparation tips can go a long way towards assisting you get ready for the actual test. Of course no tips will guarantee a passing score. However, these suggestions will ensure you come to the exams as ready as you can be.

Take a Review Course

A CPA review course is one of the best ways to prepare for the exam. These courses will set you back a couple thousand dollars, but consider it an investment. They offer simulated tests, Q&A, computer software and other features. There are live interactive classes, online reviews and more.

Take your time in researching each study course. When you’ve made your choice, you’ll realize that this is one of the most essential CPA exam preparation tips you can use. The experience you gain here will help you prepare for the real thing.

Commitment is a Must

The review courses offer flexible schedules, but that’s no excuse for slacking off. You were able to graduate because you attended class regularly. The same rule applies here. You’ve got to commit yourself to the task. It’s not just for the money you invested; your future career is on the line here as well.

A good way to stay committed is by allocating specific study times. If you’re on the self study route, set aside specific times for studying. Eventually you’ll get accustomed to it and look forward to the projects.

Seek Advice from CPA Exam Passers

Don’t hesitate to talk with those who’ve gone before you. Ask your friends for some CPA exam preparation tips, and what reviews they took. There are forums and blogs dedicated to this stuff.

There is no better way to learn than from those who have taken the exam. Read the blogs and see what you can learn there. You can also join discussion groups. These groups discuss everything from the mental preparation to requirements, so post your questions there.

Check Your Local CPA Group

Every state has its own CPA society or organization. Check their website for information. The requirements in your state will be posted there. Information about the exam themselves will also be posted and many more. Bear in mind that the world of the CPA never stands still, so be updated on all the facts and news.

Other CPA Exam Preparation Tips

Try to familiarize yourself with the software as much as you can. Some of the features in regular software are not available so get accustomed to it. Don’t even think about using your old college books; the info there is outdated. Only buy reference books not older than 16 months.

You also need to be mentally prepared. Studying can put pressure on you; there’s even more pressure when the exam date draws near. Some services offer counseling to help one prepare. Don’t hesitate to avail of this feature if you feel there’s too much stress.

One final CPA exam preparation tip: avoid all distractions. When you study, strive to keep other thoughts away. By focusing, you’ll absorb the lessons more quickly.

After you have passed your application, the Board will process and approves it for you to take the New York CPA Exam. An Authorization to Test will then be submitted to the NASBA who will bill you for the fees that you need to pay. A 90-day period will be given to you to make the payment before the expiration of the application arrives and by then you will have to pass your application again.

Once you have paid the fees in full, a Notice to Schedule will then be sent to you. Contained in this notice are the scheduled exam dates and test details for the New York CPA Exam. The notice will also inform you about your identification number and when will be the expiration of your exam dates. You will be granted a six-month period to schedule your exam dates as well as take the exams that you have applied for in the beginning.

Exam dates can be scheduled any day you like within the six-month period given to you. Just make sure that the New York CPA Exam testing center is open on that date and it has an available space to take you in. It is ideal to have an early registration to guarantee a space on the date that you desired. Majority of the testing centers is open on weekdays – Mondays to Fridays including Saturdays. The following are the exam dates for New York CPA Exam: January 2 to February 28 or 29, April 1 to May 30, July 1 to August 31, and October 1 to November 20.

You have lots of ways available to schedule your desired exam dates for the New York CPA Exam. You can make a telephone call to the Prometric Student Testing Service Call Center at this number – 1-800-580-9648. You can also browse through their web site at www.prometric.com/cpa. You can also contact the testing center in your local area.

Listed below are the testing centers that you can take your New York CPA Exam.

Thomas Prometric Test Center
17 Computer Dr. East
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 438-6762
Site Code: 5110

Thomas Prometric Test Center
41 State Street, Suite 402
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 465-3160
Site Code: 5144

Thomas Prometric Test Center
111 Livingston St., 11th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 722-1434
Site Code: 5203 and 5204

Thomas Prometric Test Center
4927 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14226
(716) 565-0570
Site Code: 4219

Thomas Prometric Test Center
212 East Manlius St.
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 433-9038
Site Code: 4204

Thomas Prometric Test Center
224 Seventh Street
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 746-7367
Site Code: 5197

Thomas Prometric Test Center
1000 Franklin Ave., Suite 202
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 825-4407
Site Code: 4223

Thomas Prometric Test Center
317 Madison Ave., Suite 517
Manhattan, NY 10017
(212) 682-5754
Site Code: 5145

Thomas Prometric Test Center
35 Pinelawn Rd., Suite 108E
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 845-9063
Site Code: 5872

Thomas Prometric Test Center
675 Third Ave., Second Floor
New York, New York 10017
Site Code: 5845

Thomas Prometric Test Center
1 Penn Plaza, Suite 1540
New York, NY 10119
(212) 760-1137
Site Code: 5880

Thomas Prometric Test Center
675 Third Avenue Second Floor
New York, NY 10017
Site Code: 5846

Hibernating
111 Broadway
Lynbrook, NY 11563
(516) 825-4407
Site Code: 4223