A more complete listing of states having the 150
hour education requirement, and their effective dates, can be found at
http://aicpa.org/
Q: If I go to college in Rhode Island, do I have to
follow the Rhode Island rules?
A: No. The educational requirements are based on where
an individual wishes to practice public accounting, and are not related
to where an individual goes to college. An individual only needs to be
licensed in the states where s/he plans to practice public
accounting.
Q: What if I don't plan to work in public
accounting?
A: Most beginning positions in accounting do not impose
post-Bachelor's degree educational requirements. These positions include
careers in corporate financial accounting, managerial accounting,
internal auditing, governmental accounting, accounting information
systems development, and consulting. Unlike public accounting, the
government does not set the rules regarding who can engage in these
types of positions.
Q: Any news about the format of the Uniform CPA
exam?
A: Beginning November 2003, the AICPA expects to offer
the Uniform CPA exam 100% computerized, on demand, and all objective
questions. Thus, it will not be limited to November and May each
year.
| Information about 150-hours
for Recruiting Firms |
Actually there are not many issues about "150 hours"
requirements. Firms have to check with their licensing boards to
find out educational requirements for licensing CPAs. Such
information is available at AICPA.org (or RISCPA.org). The
following information apply to almost all New England (and perhaps North
East) schools.
Almost all business schools have about 120 hours (or
4-year) undergraduate degree and master degree of 30 hours or so.
Master degree in not required for purposes of 150 hours requirement,
however, one may wish to continue to take any undergrad courses till 150
hours completed. In the New England states, there is not, and WILL
NOT be (to my judgment) an accounting program in which students as
freshmen sign in for 150 hours program and wait
till the end of the fifth year to get "a" degree. At
Bryant University, like other schools in the New England, students either
go for 4+1 or keep taking undergrad courses (in accounting or anything)
till reaching 150 hours. Students are generally are aware of these
options.
Options for accounting firms in states with 150 hours
of educational requirement is to note in the job posting whether they
require candidates to have 150 hours of education or not.
Depending on the job market and competitiveness, we see some firms hire
our students with 120 hours and send them back to school upon hiring to
complete a master degree. Some insist on having 150 hours before
starting a new job, give the job offer to our 4th year students, but ask
them to stay in school for another year. Some students also take such
initiative on their own. For additional information, please contact Dr.
Saeed Roohani sroohani@bryant.edu.