To become a certified public accountant (also known as CPA) in the United States, it is important to pass the Uniform CPA examination administered by the state boards. In order to take the exam, applicants should satisfy the requirements set by the boards. The requirements vary from one state to another. Applicants who reside, work or study in Illinois should have ideas about the different parts and the structure of the test given to those who want to gain the statutory title of CPA. To assist applicants, discussed below are the requirements as well as the structure of the exam.

Requirements

Before taking the Illinois CPA exam, applicants should satisfy the requirements set by the state board. It is important that they attain a baccalaureate degree to be eligible to sit for the examination. Aside from this, it is necessary that they have completed 24 semester hours of courses related to accounting as well as 24 semester hours of courses related to business law and business management. In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, candidates must have finished at least 24 semester hours in the graduate level. The state board of Illinois requires them to submit their transcripts to prove that they qualify to take the exam.

Schedule of Exam

After submitting the requirements, applicants should choose the date when they want to take the exam. The state board allows applicants to take the exam during the following months; January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November. To increase the chances that they will pass the examination, it is best if they enroll in review classes so that they can have ideas about the structure and the different parts of the exam.

Structure and Parts

The Uniform CPA examination administered by the Illinois state board is composed of 70 per cent multiple-choice questions and 30 per cent simulations. The exam is divided into four parts, namely regulation, auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting as well as business environment and concepts. Some of the concepts and topics included are federal taxation, business law, professional responsibilities, information technology, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.

Applicants should finish the auditing and attestation section within four and a half hours while they need to answer the questions in the financial accounting and reporting section within four hours. The facilitators of the exam also require applicants to answer the questions on regulation and business concepts within three hours and two and a half hours, respectively.