This document provides information about becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) including the requirements, career opportunities, and exam process. Some key points: - CPAs must have 150 credit hours of education, including 24 hours of accounting courses and 24 hours of business courses. They must pass the 4 section CPA exam. - There is flexibility and diverse career opportunities as a CPA such as working in any field like accounting, finance, consulting, or government. The unemployment rate for accountants is very low. - The CPA exam is changing with new computer-based testing, more task-based simulations, and inclusion of both US GAAP and IFRS questions. Exam sections are also

1. What it REALLY Means to Be a CPAIndiana CPA SocietySpring 2011

2. Firm/Company:Size :Location :Position:Why I my job:College:Work History:Why a CPA?:

3. ProfessionalEthicalDeterminedCompetentCPA Characteristics

4. Manage Your CareerCPAs have the freedom andflexibility to manage theircareers! The CPA designation will:allow you to work in any field.

5. open many, many doors.

6. provide a diverse career.

7. separate you from others in accounting related positions.Looking for a Job?CFOs project increase in net hiring in fourth quarter (first time since 1Q09)The unemployment rate for accountants was 1.7% (national average: 9.7%, Indiana, 10.1%)The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of accountants and auditors will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018Stats: Robert Half, Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development & Bureau of Labor Statistics

8. Future Career Plans

10. Job Hunt ResourcesVisit your Career Services officeResumeWork with the professionals to develop a quality resume.Have multiple people review your resume and cover letter.Interview PrepSchedule a time for practice interviewsResearch the firm/companyHave questions prepared

11. Top 12 Resume Disasters

12. Interview AttireCommon sense, people…No wrinkled shirts

13. Don’t show skin

14. Men, wear a suit & trim your nails

15. Ladies, you’re not Lady Gaga, keep it simple.

16. Go easy on the aftershave and perfume

17. Polish your shoes

18. Breath mint, you’re welcome.Leave it in the Car

19. CPA Exam, What’s it Take?150-hours

20. EligibilityAll first-time applicants applying for the Uniform CPA Exam in Indiana must meet one of the following requirements;Earned one hundred and fifty (150) semester hours in general education which must include; a. a graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the board, and completed: b. at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or fifteen (15) semester hours in accounting at the graduate level or an equivalent combination thereof which must include courses covering the following subjects; • financial accounting, • auditing, • taxation, • managerial accounting; and c. at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business administration and economics courses, other than accounting courses, at the undergraduate or graduate level. • up to six (6) semester hours of business and tax law courses • up to six (6) semester hours of computer science courses. 2. Earned one hundred and fifty (150) semester hours in general education which must include; a. a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the board; and completed: b. at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level which must include courses covering the following subjects; • financial accounting, • auditing, • taxation, • managerial accounting; and c. at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in business administration and economics courses other than accounting courses. • up to six (6) semester hours of business and tax law courses • up to six (6) semester hours of computer science courses.

21. New Application Process for StudentsStudents planning to become CPAs in Indiana can now APPLY to sit for the Exam 60-days prior to completing the 150-hour requirement!Your Dean or Registrar must complete the Certificate of Enrollment (COE) stating that you are expected to meet the 150 credit hour requirement within 60 days.

22. 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.

23. If you fail to provide proof of graduation, CPA Exam Services and/or the Indiana Board of Accountancy may cancel your Notice to Schedule (NTS) and/or any examination scores.Seal of Institution or Notary SealSignature of Dean or Registrarhttp://www.nasba.org/862571B900737CED/ENL/IN%20COE/$file/INCOE.pdf

24. Materials to Be Submitted First-time Applicants are required to submit the following to CPA Examination Services (CPAES). 1) Completed, signed first-time paper application, if applicable. 2) Payment document for application and examination fees. • Certified check or money order made payable to CPA Examination Services. • Credit card form (attached at the end of this application) • Notate your name and sections to be taken in the “Memo” section.Official transcript(s). Certificate of Enrollment, if applicable. Foreign Evaluation, if applicable. ADA Accommodation Form, if applicable. Applicants are advised to request submission of all forms to CPAES prior to applying for the examination.

25. Exam Sections & Fees$919.51

26. October & NovemberJanuary & FebruaryApril & MayJuly & AugustExam Testing Windows

27. Changes to the ExamCBT-e launchedJan. 1, 2011Simulations:Old: 2 long simulations in AUD, FAR & REGNew: 6-7 Task-Based Simulations in each sectionConstructed Response:Old: 2 essays in AUD, FAR & REG. New: 0 essays in AUD, FAR & REG

28. Changes to the ExamSection Length:AUD shortened 30 minutes (4hrs)BEC lengthened 30 minutes (3hrs)FAR (4hrs) REG (3hrs)New calculator and improved spreadsheetsOne new research item typeScoring: More emphasis on skills

29. New CSOs - AUD

30. New CSOs - BEC

31. New CSOs - FAR

32. New CSOs - REG

33. Question Weight

34. IFRS on the ExamIFRS is already entry-level practice and many CPAs are now using IFRS

35. US GAAP is likely to continue for some time

36. Implications:

37. Entry-level CPAs will need to be “bilingual” and able to work under both US GAAP and IFRS