Aspiring CPAs in Indiana have to go through the Indiana Board of Accountancy’s laid out process to get their license. As with any other state, there are three steps to becoming a CPA in Indiana.
These include education, exam, and experience. However, the Indiana Board of Accountancy has different requirements compared to other states.
Aspiring CPAs must ensure that they fulfill all the board’s requirements to become a CPA in Indiana.
If they fail to do so, they can’t get their Indiana CPA license. Given below is the process of how to become a CPA in Indiana.
How to Become a CPA in Indiana?
Aspiring CPAs in Indiana have to start their journey by obtaining formal education. This education is crucial in the later stages of their licensure journey.
Next, they must sit for their Indiana Uniform CPA Exam. Having done so, aspiring CPAs must complete a period of practical experience in a related field.
Along each of these steps, they must satisfy the requirements set by the Indiana Board of Accountancy.
Educational Requirements
The first step to getting a CPA license in Indiana is obtaining formal education. This education is crucial in understanding the basics of accounting.
Once applicants acquire the knowledge, they can pass their Uniform CPA Exam and use it in their careers.
Aspiring CPAs must meet some requirements during this period, set by the Indiana Board of Accountancy. These include the following.
- Aspiring CPAs must enrol in an accredited college or university that is acceptable to the Indiana Board of Accountancy. Those who have already enrolled or graduated must ensure the Indiana Board of Accountancy will accept their credits.
- Students who have acquired formal education from other countries can also apply. However, they must get an evaluation of their credentials through one of the approved evaluation service agencies.
- Aspiring CPAs must also choose from one of the two pathways laid out by the Indiana Board of Accountancy. These pathways include the following.
- They must earn 150 semester hours of college credit and a graduate degree. Their education must include the following.
- 24 semester hours of undergraduate (or 15 semester hours of graduate) accounting courses that cover the following.
- Consulting
- Financial accounting
- Managerial accounting
- Taxation
- 24 semester hours in undergraduate (or graduate) courses in business administration or economics. These must include up to 6 semester hours in business and tax law and six semester hours in computer science.
- 24 semester hours of undergraduate (or 15 semester hours of graduate) accounting courses that cover the following.
- Candidates must earn 150 semester hours of college credit and a bachelor’s degree. Their education must include the following.
- 24 semester hours of undergraduate (or 15 semester hours of graduate) course in accounting that cover the following.
- Consulting
- Financial accounting
- Managerial accounting
- Taxation
- 24 semester hours in undergraduate (or graduate) courses in economics or business administration. These must include up to 6 semester hours in computer science and six semester hours in business and tax law.
- 24 semester hours of undergraduate (or 15 semester hours of graduate) course in accounting that cover the following.
- They must earn 150 semester hours of college credit and a graduate degree. Their education must include the following.
Uniform CPA Exam
Next, aspiring CPAs must sit for their Indiana Uniform CPA Exam. This exam consists of several sections, all of which applicants have to sit for and pass. Candidates who are still attending college can also apply.
However, the requirements for them may differ. Aspiring CPAs must go through the following process to take their Indiana Uniform CPA Exam.
- Aspiring CPAs must apply for the exam through the CPA Examination Services (CPAES).
- They must also submit the following with their application.
- Their official transcript directly sent from their college to the CPAES.
- An ADA accommodation form if necessary.
- Their application fee via certified check, credit card or money order.
- Candidates who haven’t completed college must ask their college to submit a completed Certificate of Enrolment form to the board. They also need to ask their college to submit an official transcript to the board showing the completion of 150 semester hours and a bachelor’s degree.
- Aspiring CPAs must then schedule their exam in one of the seven locations after receiving their Notice to Schedule.
Experience Requirements
The last step for aspiring CPAs in Indiana is to meet the board’s experience requirements. These include the following.
- Aspiring CPAs must choose the right experience where they must complete 24 months of full-time accounting employment. This experience must be in one or a combination of the following positions.
- Accounting intern or employee at a public accounting firm
- Financial or accounting employee in a government organization, industry or non-profit organizations
- Employee providing advisory or consulting in accounting, financial or operational areas.
- Instructor teaching accounting in either a four-year junior college or university or private or public school
- Aspiring CPAs with part-time experience must convert it to full-time.
- The experience must be verified by a licensed through the Verification of Experience form.
Summary
Given below is a summary of how to become a CPA in Indiana.
- Aspiring CPAs must enrol in an accredited college or university in an accounting program. Their education must meet the Indiana Board of Accountancy’s requirements.
- They must apply for and take their Indiana Uniform CPA Exam and pass it.
- They must obtain work experience according to the Indiana Board of Accountancy’s requirements.
- They must apply for their Indiana CPA license.
References
- “Indiana Board of Accountancy” – https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/indiana-board-of-accountancy/
- “Resources” – https://www.in.gov/pla/resources/
- “Indiana | NASBA” – https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/indiana/