Step By Step How To Become a CPA in Utah (2022)

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have a great career trajectory. They can earn a lot from their services and work in a wide range of roles.

Similarly, they can find work in almost any organization as accountants.

Once they gain experience, they can start their firms and provide their services as a business.

Similarly, CPAs can become CFO for companies or even CEOs.

However, becoming a CPA isn’t as easy as obtaining a degree. Candidates must meet state requirements to get their CPA license, which may differ for each state.

For the state of Utah, these requirements come from the Utah Board of Accountancy. Before licensure, the board also sets other conditions that candidates must fulfill.

How To Become a CPA in Utah?

Becoming a CPA in Utah involves four steps. Candidates must acquire the education necessary to become a CPA.

There are some requirements that this education must fulfill. After that, they must pass the Uniform CPA Exam.

Once they do so, they must acquire practical experience. Lastly, they can apply for their Utah CPA license after meeting all these requirements.

Educational Requirements

Meeting educational requirements is crucial for all prospective CPAs. With this education, they can gain the necessary knowledge to pass the Uniform CPA Exam.

They can also combine it with practical experience to work in accounting. The educational requirements for CPAs to get their license in Utah are as follows.

  • Candidates must complete at least 150 semester hours of college credit and get a bachelor’s degree. This education must come from an accounting program offered through Utah’s schools.
  • Candidates already attending school or those who have just graduated must ensure that the board will accept their college credits.
  • Candidates must register for the right courses. There are four paths for candidates in Utah to complete their educational requirements. These include the following.
  • Candidates must get a graduate degree in accounting that is AACSB or ACBSP accredited.
  • Or they must earn a graduate degree in taxation or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree AACSB or ACBSP accredited. The course must include a choice of one of the three outlines provided by the board.
  • Or they must earn a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting. There are various requirements that candidates must meet within this path.
  • Or they must earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field that includes the subjects specified by the board.
  • The requirements for each path differ. Candidates must choose their path and confirm the requirements accordingly.
  • The board also accepts correspondence, CLEP, online, and CPA review courses. However, candidates must receive credit from an accredited college or university.
  • The board also accepts community college courses, given their credits transfer to the accredited 4-year college or university from which candidates have a degree.
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Uniform CPA Exam

Once candidates meet the educational requirements, they must take the Uniform CPA Exam. This exam tests candidates’ knowledge of the relevant accounting and related practices. Candidates must complete the following steps to take their Uniform CPA Exam.

  • Candidates must register online on the CPA Examination Services (CPAES) website or download their application form.
  • They must forward the required documentation with their completed application. These include the following.
    • Official school transcripts show that candidates have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree
    • A completed form for any examination accommodations if needed
    • An Authorization for Interstate Exchange of Information if candidates have passed one or more parts of the exam in another state
    • A completed Foreign Evaluation if candidates have credits from foreign schools
    • The applicable fees
  • They must schedule their exam through Prometric once they receive their Notice to Schedule.

Experience Requirements

Once candidates pass their Uniform CPA Exam, they must work in an environment where they can apply their knowledge.

For the experience, candidates must meet the following requirements.

  • Candidates must take the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Home Study Course on Professional Ethics. They must also get a score of at least 90% on the course.
  • They must pass the Utah Laws and Rules Exam. It includes the following areas.
    • Certified Public Accountant Licensing Act
    • Certified Public Accountant Licensing Act Rules
    • Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Act
    • General Rules of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
  • They must fulfill the accounting experience requirements set by the board., which include the following.
    • At least one year (or 2,000 hours) of accounting experience. It must meet the following criteria.
      • It may be paid or volunteer experience.
      • Must apply auditing and accounting skills and principles taught under generally accepted professional accounting education.
      • Must be supervised by a licensed CPA.
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Summary

Given below is a summary of how to become a CPA in Utah.

  • Candidates must meet the educational requirements set by the Utah Board of Accountancy.
  • They must take and pass the Uniform CPA Exam.
  • They must meet the experience requirements set by the board.
  • They must apply for their CPA license.

References

  1. “Utah Board of Accountancy” – https://dopl.utah.gov/cpa/index.html
  2. “Utah | NASBA” – https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/utah/