120/150 hour requirement for CPA! Is it really just 120/150 hours?

[george benjamin]

Hello people,

This is a question about the CPA(american CA).

Do they really only need 120 or 150 hours to become a CPA, other than the exams?
SO you can do that in one month, but in canada you have to work for 2 years?

Wowssers.

[924elevin]

The 150 hour requirement they are referring to is in regards to "semester credits" (ie. education requirements), not work hours.

read this (http://www.aicpa.org/Legislative+Activities+and+State+Licensing+Issues/State+News+and+Info/States/uaa/150hour.htm) for a better explanation.

From what I understand, this 150 hour requirement they have is the same as the 51 required credits hours we have here in the ICAO.

[george benjamin]

So there isnt a work requirement?

All you have to do is finish the courses/credits, and write the exams, then you become a CPA?

4 exams right?

[924elevin]

Just like how different provinces in across Canada have different work requirements, it's different depending on the state you are applying to.

This (http://www.nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAMBRP.nsf/SBWebF?OpenPage) lists all the governing boards in each state. Go through them to figure out which ones need how much work requirement.

For example, in Mass., you need to have completed the 150 hour requirement to sit in the CPA exam. Then for you to get a CPA certification/licensure, you also need to have a year of public accounting experience including 1,000 hours of attest experience. If you don't have the attest hours, your license will be for accounting services.

That sounds rather similar to the ICAO's system of the 51 credit hours, the successful UFE and the work experience before you get your license.

[george benjamin]

ok thanks.