| Deciding to become a Certified Public Accountant | | | | and Reporting (FAR) is $218.15, and Regulation is |
| (CPA) is a huge step for college graduates looking | | | | $193.35. If you are taking an exam over you are |
| to step into the accounting world. Being able to | | | | obligated to the pay the application fee of $95 |
| put on your resume that you are a Certified | | | | again whether you are taking one section over or |
| Public Accountant, will make your resume stand | | | | all four. Third, after you have paid the CPA fees |
| out above all of the others. Being a recent | | | | you will receive your notice to schedule in the mail. |
| graduate, having CPA will give you credibility and | | | | |
| will act as a "stamp of expertise" to the public | | | | The fourth step in obtaining your CPA is the most |
| eyes. Not only will being a CPA earn you more | | | | crucial. STUDY, STUDY and STUDY some more. |
| money, it will improve your credibility, as well as | | | | The goal is to pass all four parts of the exam on |
| reflect your commitment to the accounting field. | | | | the first try. Although this does not happen for |
| | | | | most people, retaking the exam over and over |
| Having CPA certification provides substantial | | | | again can become very costly. There are many |
| financial awards for accountants. Accountants with | | | | different ways you can study for the CPA exam. |
| this certification will be able to establish a standard | | | | The most talked about is the Becker CPA |
| of living to support themselves and their family. | | | | Review. Becker offers on line classes, live classes, |
| According to Robert Half International, the CPA | | | | cram sessions, and self study cd's to work at |
| can, on average, increase a candidates base | | | | your own pace. There are many other institutes |
| salary by 10 percent. A lot of small, medium, and | | | | that offer CPA review classes as well as many |
| large public accounting firms will not promote their | | | | study books. |
| auditors past a certain level unless they have | | | | |
| passed the CPA exam. | | | | After you feel you are fully prepared to take on |
| | | | | the CPA exam, the fifth step is then to schedule |
| To obtain this certification there are six main | | | | each section. All exams need to be scheduled at |
| steps that you have to follow. The first thing you | | | | least 6 days in advance. It is advised that |
| will have to do is apply to take the exam. This | | | | candidates schedule their exam at least 45 days |
| step involves deciding what state you want to be | | | | in advance. The sixth step is to take the exams. |
| certified in and checking to make sure you fit all | | | | Lastly you will sit in anticipation awaiting the arrival |
| of their qualifications, requesting an application, | | | | of your scores. |
| completing it, and then submitting it. This process | | | | |
| can take from 6 weeks up to 8 weeks. The | | | | Overall, if you are extremely interested and |
| second step after your application has been | | | | committed to the accounting field, you should try |
| accepted is to pay the examination fees. Fees | | | | and become a Certified Public Accountant. Not |
| vary for each state as well as qualifications . In | | | | only will this title increase your salary, but it will |
| Pennsylvania, there is a $95 application fee. The | | | | also help you shine above other candidates when |
| Auditing (AUD) section fee is $230.55, Business | | | | applying for jobs as well as provide a secure |
| Environment (BEC) is $180.95, Financial Accounting | | | | standard of living. |