The Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination is composed of four sections that cover various topics related to accounting theories and concepts. The sections in this exam are subdivided into four categories, namely financial accounting and reporting, business environment and concepts, regulation as well as auditing and attestation. Aside from these, some state boards in America include a special section on ethics. To help individuals who want to become one of the CPAs in the country, below are important information about the CPA exam questions.

Overview

To enhance the validity and reliability of the examination, the questions are divided into two types, the multiple-choice questions and simulations. The multiple-choice questions consist 70 per cent of the exam while simulations consist 30 per cent of the exam. It is important that examiners know the time limit for each section to make sure that they answer all the CPA exam questions. The scores received by examiners will be based on their ability to link the different concepts in accounting as well as provide supporting documents and evidences for their arguments or proposals.

Auditing and Attestation

Examiners are given four and a half hours to answer all the questions in the auditing and attestation section. The questions focus on engagement planning, documentation of important information, evaluation of information as well as assessment of internal controls. Aside from these, examiners are also required to answer questions regarding the proper ways of preparing documents or written communications to clients.

Regulation

The time limit for answering the questions in the regulation section is three hours. The topics covered in this section include professional responsibility and work ethics. Some of the questions also focus on accounting issues related to federal tax procedures as well as business law.

Business Environment and Concepts

The questions in this section cover topics about financial management, economic concepts, business structures and information technology. Other topics covered in this section are planning and measurement as well as business management. Facilitators allow examiners to answer all the questions in this section for two and a half hours.

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Other than auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts as well as regulation, the exam also has a special section on financial accounting and reporting. The questions in the section focuses on the important matters about creating financial statements, the different kinds of business transactions, accounting issues concerning nonprofit and nongovernmental institutions as well as accounting issues related to the financial states of governmental agencies.

Reviewing CPA exam prep materials is regarded by almost everyone as mandatory for passing the actual tests. Here are some thoughts and suggestions to assist you when going through these materials.

Evaluate the Format

When picking a review course, make sure the study aids are actually helpful. Examine the software, sample test papers, flash cards etc. Almost all CPA review courses offer these, but they’re not created equal. It’s a good idea to ask friends for recommended review services.

Note: a lot of these courses allow you to preview a session or two. Use this opportunity to examine its contents. If the presentation doesn’t suit you, try another service. When reviewing CPA exam prep materials, presentation is vital. The most advanced concepts won’t help if you’re uncomfortable with the format.

Find the Right Schedule

A lot of classes offer flexible schedules so working people can still attend regularly. If you prefer a live class, check the various CPA classes in your area. Join the one that best fits your schedule.

Some of the most flexible classes are found online. There are different types available so study each one. Of course you shouldn’t just look at the schedule alone; make sure the course is comprehensive.

Self Study

Some prefer reviewing CPA exam prep materials on their own. You don’t have to follow a schedule or go to any class. While it’s the most flexible, it isn’t for everyone. Be certain you have the discipline to study without having a supervisor or instructor. You could easily end up wasting your time and money by slacking off.

Buy updated study aids and materials. The books can’t be older than 16 months. It’s also crucial you keep in touch with the local CPA group in your area. Go to their website and look for any announcements. If you’re taking the exam, it’s your responsibility to be updated on any policy changes.

Note: CPA exams are done using computers. If you’re going to ask advice from someone, make sure he / she is conversant with the technology being used today. There’s nothing worse than getting wrong advice and outdated study techniques.

Other Reminders

The best way to use these review materials is by studying diligently. Whether it’s live class, self study or online, the rules for reviewing CPA exam prep materials remain the same.

Focus all your thoughts and energies on the subject. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by cell phones, instant messages etc when studying. Turn off all these distractions.

Do not worry about the exam results. Stress and anxiety won’t help you. Don’t try to cram too much information in your head. Just go through the lessons as best as you can. Establish a reasonable schedule.

Try to approach the subjects with as clear a mind as possible. Your mental preparation is crucial. Worrying too much can affect you physically.
 
Reviewing CPA exam prep materials is an essential step to becoming a public accountant. You can be one if you examine the options that can best help you.

The Uniform Certified Public Accountant is the national accounting licensure examination in the United States. The CPA exam was maintained and created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In every state of America, the exam is given by the officials of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Aside from the United States, the examination is also given to individuals who want to acquire the statutory title Certified Public Accountant in the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. To know more about the CPA exam, let us have a closer look at the topics and sections covered in the Uniform CPA.

Topics and Sections Covered

Individuals who take the exam are given four hours and 30 minutes to finish the section on auditing and attestation. This section covers topics related to internal controls, documenting and obtaining information, preparing communications as well as evaluating engagements and reviewing information. Four hours are given to examiners to answer the questions in the financial accounting and reporting section. The topics in the section include financial statements standards, the different kinds of transactions, reporting and accounting of the financial states of governmental agencies as well as accounting for nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations.

Aside from the sections mentioned, examiners have three hours to finish the section on regulation. It covers topics on professional responsibility and ethics, federal accounting issues and tax procedures, federal taxation regarding entities as well as property transactions involving the federal government. The final section of the examination covers topics related to business environment like economic concepts, information technology and financial management. Individuals are given two hours and 30 minutes to answer all the questions in this section.

Testing Method

The CPA exam is composed of 30 per cent simulations and 70 per cent multiple-choice questions. The simulations are given by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to assess the skills of examiners in the organization of ideas, development of supporting data as well as their ability to express themselves in business English.

Scoring

The scores acquired by examiners are ranked in the scale of 0 to 99. In order to pass the examination, they should at least get a score of 75. To validate the results of the examinations, the scores of examiners are forwarded to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as to the Boards of Accountancy before the results are published in newspapers and websites.

For those who are aspiring to get a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, taking a very challenging and yet rewarding exam is greatly important for licensure, protection of the bearer, and recognition of the person’s achievement. But how can one go through that? Well, first and foremost, the CPA Exam dates should be learned.

Thankfully, CPA exam dates are usually being offered everywhere for those interested and willing to earn one’s license. Yes, the actual dates for the examination are made available in every state.

That’s one of the reasons which show that going through the registration and actual testing process should not be a huge problem for the aspirant. In fact, it’s not really time-consuming and stressful for most of the CPA testers.

To take the exam, one must be aware that there are different test schedules for a person to get an appointment for the testing of one’s abilities and know-how. Moreover, there are also countless of ways that one can easily look for that pertinent information.

Typically, CPA exam dates run from January to February, April to May, July to August, and October to November every year. The set of two months per exam date is referred to as a window. During that window schedule of CPA exam dates at any regional testing centers around, candidates for licensure are required to request for exam appointments if they are eyeing certain dates for testing.

After seeking their appointment to take the exam, the state board would then determine if the candidates are eligible to take the exam. Once that has been reviewed by the board, the NTS or Notice to Schedule is then sent to the candidate.

Registration for the CPA exam dates that the candidate would want comes next in the process. And that can be done at a Prometric testing center.

But that’s not the only place to go to. You can go online or at a nearby center.

Yes, a quick and easy way for candidates to ask for an appointment is to go directly on the Internet on the prometric site or call the Candidates Services Call Center at 1-800-580-9648 for schedules, inquiries, and other concerns. Another way to get in touch with these centers is to drop by at a local test center that is near your place.

Regardless of the chosen CPA exam dates that the candidate manages to get an appointment for, the person taking the test would be happy to know that these licensure exams are also being offered as one or more sections depending on what the person likes to take. If one feels ready to take on more than one section, that person is free to do so. And that can be arranged on the same testing date that the person is scheduled for.