Definition
The term “Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements” refers to the specific set of conditions and criteria set by the Florida Board of Accountancy that an individual must meet to become a Certified Public Accountant in Florida. This often includes prerequisites related to education, examination, and experience. It typically involves passing the Uniform CPA Examination and fulfilling certain educational and experiential requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The Florida CPA Exam requirements include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with 120 semester hours of college education, and at least 24 semester hours in upper division accounting courses plus 24 hours in general business education.
- For the CPA License in Florida, the prerequisites go beyond just passing the CPA Exam. One must have completed 150 semester hours of college education, which should include a minimum of 36 semester hours of upper division accounting courses and 39 semester hours of upper division general business courses.
- Additionally, work experience is required before you can get your CPA license in Florida. The requirement spans one year of work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA, in academia, government, industry or public practice.
Importance
The term “Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements” is important in the field of finance because it refers to the specific set of criteria that individuals must meet in order to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Florida.
Knowing these requirements is crucial for anyone interested in becoming a CPA in Florida because they ensure that the individual is qualified to practice accountancy based on the high standards set by the state’s Board of Accountancy.
These requirements usually include stipulations about educational qualifications, professional experience, residency, ethics, and fees.
Therefore, understanding these requirements is key to successfully earning a CPA license in Florida and establishing a career in accounting or finance.
Explanation
The Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements serve as a stepping stone for aspirants who aim to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Florida. This set of regulations, administered by the Florida Board of Accountancy, is in place to ensure that prospective accountants possess the necessary competencies to uphold professional standards within the field.
The primary purpose of these requirements is to protect the public interest by ensuring that individuals acquiring licensure are competent and adhere to professional ethics. These requirements include passing the Uniform CPA Examination, gaining an adequate amount of work experience, and satisfying certain education requirements.
Passing the Uniform CPA Exam demonstrates that the aspirant has the necessary knowledge and skills in the accounting field. The practical work experience requirement, on the other hand, ensures that the aspirant has had hands-on experience in the world of accounting.
The education requirements mandate the completion of a 150-semester hour degree program including an extensive focus on accounting and business courses. Together, these stringent prerequisites aim to shape well-rounded, ethical, and knowledgeable CPAs capable of offering high-quality services to both the private and public sectors.
Examples of Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements
Here are three real world examples related to the term “Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements”:
Example 1: John is a graduate in accountancy from a university in New York. Over time, he has gained working experience and now wishes to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Florida. Despite having an accountancy degree, John needs to comply with Florida’s CPA Exam and License Requirements. This means he should have completed 150 semester hours in college education, including 24 semester hours in upper division accounting courses and 24 semester hours in upper division business courses, in addition to passing all sections of the CPA Exam, an ethics exam, and having a year of work experience.
Example 2: Maria has recently passed her CPA Exam after completing her Master’s degree in taxation. She has working experience, but not in public accounting. As per Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements, she needs to gain at least one year of experience in public accounting under the supervision of a licensed CPA to be eligible to apply for the CPA license in Florida.
Example 3: Samantha is an international student who has completed her Bachelor’s degree in commerce from a university in India. Her desire is to build her career in accounting in the United States, with Florida being her preference. Before she can sit for the Florida CPA exam, Samantha must have her educational credentials evaluated by the Florida Board of Accountancy or a board-approved evaluation service to make sure she meets Florida’s educational requirements. If her educational background is approved, Samantha can then sit for the CPA exam and, upon passing, meet the remaining requirements for CPA licensure, including gaining supervised work experience.
FAQs about Florida CPA Exam and License Requirements
What are the requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Florida?
In Florida, you must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours from an accredited university or college, which should include 24 credit hours in accounting courses at the upper division level that is above principles and procedures and 24 credit hours in general business courses to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam.
What are the Florida CPA licensure requirements?
To obtain a CPA license in Florida, you must have completed 150 semester hours of education, which includes a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Also, you must have at least 24 semester hours of upper-division business courses and 24 semester hours of upper-division accounting courses. Besides educational requirements, you must pass all four parts of the CPA exam, complete a total of one year’s (2000 hours) work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA, and pass an ethics course and exam.
How many times can I take the CPA exam in Florida?
The CPA exam can be retaken multiple times until passed; however, a candidate cannot take the same section more than once in the same examination window (usually a three-month period).
What is the cost of the CPA exam in Florida?
The cost of the CPA exam is composed of an application fee and examination fees. The application fee in Florida is approximately $50, and the examination fees for all four sections amount to $743. The total initial cost would be almost $793.
Is work experience necessary to get a Florida CPA license?
Yes, to obtain a CPA license in Florida, a one year’s (2000 hours) work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA is required. The work experience can be any employment in accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting services.
Related Entrepreneurship Terms
- Educational Requirement
- Credit Hours
- Residency Requirement
- Experience Requirement
- State Ethics Course
