The California Board of Accountancy (CBA) provides comprehensive guidance on how to become a CPA in the Golden State. To enter this highly regarded field, would-be CPAs must meet stringent academic, experience, and examination prerequisites. This page provides aspiring California certified public accountants with a detailed look at these prerequisites.
Academic Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree
In California, having a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is the minimum entry requirement for the CPA exam. This doesn’t have to be in the field of accounting per se, but it does need to include a number of courses in both accounting and business.
Required Semester Units
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and have taken a certain number of accounting and business-related courses (150 semester units total).
- Accounting Study: Minimum of 24 semester units;
- Business-Related Subjects: Minimum of 24 semester units.
Remember that the credit you receive for a course is measured in semester units, which are often correlated to the amount of contact hours you spend in class each week.
Specific Coursework
Education requirements under the CBA include the following as of January 1, 2024:
- Accounting Ethics or Accountants’ Professional Responsibilities: 3 semester units;
- Accounting Information Systems: 3 semester units;
- Taxation: 3 semester units;
- Financial Reporting: 3 semester units;
- Auditing and Attestation: 3 semester units;
- Cost or Management Accounting: 3 semester units;
- Financial Statement Analysis: 3 semester units.
Experience Requirements
The prerequisites for becoming a certified public accountant include both classroom study and relevant work experience. One year of general accounting experience under the direction of a certified public accountant or certified public accountant is required to sit for the CBA exam.
Acquiring work experience in either the public sector, private sector, public sector, or academic setting is acceptable. All engagements that result in an inspection, review, or agreed-upon processes report on a subject area count toward the required 500 hours of attest experience.
CPA Exam
The Uniform CPA Examination is required for certification in all 50 states. There are four parts to the test:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD);
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC);
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR);
- Regulation (REG).
After passing the first section, candidates have 18 months to complete the remaining three.
Ethics Exam
To become a certified public accountant in the United States, candidates must first pass the Uniform CPA Exam and then take the AICPA’s Professional Ethics for CPAs (PETH) exam.
Conclusion
Becoming a CPA is a challenging yet rewarding journey. The requirements set by the California Board of Accountancy ensure that only those with the right mix of education, experience, and expertise carry the prestigious CPA title. By clearly understanding these requirements, prospective CPAs can strategize their path towards this fulfilling profession.
FAQ
Yes, you may sit for the CPA exam once you have completed a bachelor’s degree and at least 24 semester units each in accounting and business-related subjects.
Yes, the CBA counts both part-time and full-time positions, including internships, as long as they meet the necessary requirements and are verified by a licensed CPA.
A score of 75 on a 0-99 scale is required for each section of the CPA exam.
Yes, you must apply for licensure within five years of passing the CPA exam; otherwise, you’ll have to reapply and take the exam again.
No, you can take one section at a time. However, you need to pass all four sections within 18 months, starting from the date the first examination section was passed.
Business-related subjects can include business administration, economics, finance, marketing, business law, computer science/information systems, statistics, and more.