How to Become a CPA in Kansas? (2022 Requirement Updated)

Working as a CPA in any state across the US requires a CPA license. The licensure procedure is the same in all states. However, aspiring CPAs must go through each state’s accountancy board’s requirements, which may differ.

For Kansas, the Kansas Board of Accountancy handles the licensure process. For prospective CPAs in Kansas, it is crucial to meet the board’s requirements.

How to become a CPA in Kansas?

As with other states, aspiring CPAs in Kansas must start their CPA license journey by obtaining formal education. Once they do so, they must apply for the Uniform CPA Exam and pass it.

Next, they must meet the experience requirements set by the Kansas Board of Accountancy. Only after completing all of these, aspiring CPAs can apply for their Kansas CPA license.

Educational Requirements

The first step for CPA licensure in any state is going through a period of formal education. This education is critical as it sets the basis for further work in the CPA field.

It is also crucial for candidates because it helps them in their Uniform CPA Exam and later in their careers. Similarly, aspiring CPAs must ensure their education meets the requirements of the Kansas Board of Accountancy.

These are as below.

  • Aspiring CPAs must enrol in a university or college that offers an accounting program. The Kansas Board of Accountancy requires this education to be in an accredited institution.
  • Those who have already completed their education or in the process of doing so may also apply. However, aspiring CPAs must get their education evaluated by the board.
  • Similarly, those who have obtained education from outside the US can also apply. However, they must get an evaluation by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • Aspiring CPAs must also verify that they meet the Kansas residency requirements for the CPA Exam. These include meeting one of the following conditions.
    • They must be a resident of Kansas.
    • They must have a place of business or permanently employed by a public accounting firm in Kansas.
  • Students must ensure they are taking the right classes which meet the board’s requirements. These are as below.
    • They must get a bachelor’s degree from a university or college approved by the board.
    • It must include a minimum of 150 semester hours (or 225 quarter hours) of a college education.
    • It must be in accounting concentration and include the following.
      • At least 20 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) in accounting theory and practice courses. These may include the following.
        • Accounting systems
        • Auditing course
        • Financial accounting
        • Income tax course
        • Managerial accounting
      • At least 42 semester hours (or 63 quarter hours) in business and general education subjects. These may include the following.
        • Administration and management
        • College algebra or higher-level math
        • Computer systems and applications
        • Finance
        • Macro- and micro-economics and one upper-division economics course
        • Marketing
        • Minimum two business law or similar courses
        • Production, operations research, or applications of quantitative techniques to business problems
        • Statistics and probability theory
      • At least 11 semester hours (or 17 quarter hours) in oral or written communications.
    • Aspiring CPAs can’t use accounting internship hours and CPA review courses towards the 30 semester hours of accounting requirement.
  • Aspiring CPAs must complete the pre-evaluation application to determine that they meet the requirements for the CPA Examination.
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Uniform CPA Exam

The next step for aspiring CPAs is to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. They must go through the following process to do so.

  • Aspiring CPAs must complete the CPA Exam Services (CPAES) application. They must also submit the following with their application.
    • A Kansas Board of Accountancy Cheating Policy form.
    • Their 2”x2” recent photograph.
    • Their official transcripts sent directly to CPAES.
    • Their first-time registration fee and exam fee for each section.
  • Aspiring CPAs must then schedule their exam after receiving their Notice to Schedule. They can choose between one of the three approved locations and register through Prometric’s website.

Experience Requirements

The last step for aspiring CPAs is to meet the educational requirements set by the KSBOA. They can still get their CPA license after passing their CPA exam. However, they must meet the experience requirements to get practice privileges. Once they meet the following requirements, they can apply for their permit to practice.

  • Aspiring CPAs must take and pass the professional ethics courses offered by AICPA.
  • They must apply for the first-time Kansas certificate and pay the $25 fee. They will also need to send and send the oath required for all certificate holders.
  • They must obtain at least 2,000 hours of experience, which requires the performance of services between 1-3 years. The experience must meet the following requirements.
    • It must come from one of the following areas.
      • Academia
      • Government
      • Industry
      • Public Practice
    • It does not have to be directly supervised by a licensed CPA. However, it needs to be verified by an actively licensed CPA.
    • The board treats attest and non-attest experience separately. Therefore, candidates providing attest services need to have at least 375 hours of experience performing attest services. It is a part of the 2,000 hours requirement.
  • Candidates must complete their Certified of Experience and give it to their verifying to complete. They must then send this form along with their permit application.
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Summary

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

  • Aspiring CPAs must enrol in an educational program that meets the Kansas Board of Accountancy’s requirements.
  • They must apply and sit for the Kansas Uniform CPA Exam.
  • They must meet the Kansas Board of Accountancy’s experience requirements.
  • They must apply for their permit to practice.

References

  1. “Kansas Board of Accountancy” – http://www.ksboa.org
  2. “CPA Exam Info” – http://www.ksboa.org/exam_info2.htm
  3. “Forms” – http://www.ksboa.org/forms.htm
  4. “Kansas | NASBA” – https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/kansas/