CPA
Exam Candidates Now Offered Professional Literature at No Cost
The
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National
Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have teamed up to offer
eligible CPA Exam candidates a free six-month subscription to professional audit
and accounting literature. The on-line package, which includes AICPA
Professional Standards, FASB Current Text, and FASB Original Pronouncements, was
previously
made available to candidates for $35.00.
The
new computerized Uniform CPA Examination requires exam candidates to know how to
search electronic professional literature.
With
the successful launch of the computerized CPA Exam, NASBA and the AICPA decided
to make this powerful research tool available at no cost to all exam candidates
who are scheduling to take the exam.
Candidates
may subscribe at www.cpa-exam.org.
Only candidates who have applied to take the exam, been deemed eligible by one
of the 54 state boards of accountancy, and have a valid Notice to Schedule (NTS)
may have access to this complimentary package of professional literature.
The
computer-based CPA Examination is a collaborative effort of the AICPA, NASBA and
Thomson Prometric. Further information on the exam may be found at www.cpa-exam.org.
Money—It
Does Grow On Trees
A
Scholarship Resource Guide
Money.
Everyone wants it, but how do you wrap your hands around it?
If a career as a CPA is right for you, don’t let money—or lack of it
stand in your way. College
scholarships abound, including ones specifically for accounting majors—and you
don’t have to be Einstein to tap into these resources.
Focus
your search. Although there is merit
to competing for general scholarships, it is to your advantage to tailor your
search to what makes you unique. Here
are some opportunities specifically for business and accounting majors.
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The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers several scholarships of its own, with a substantial list of other available scholarships.
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Home Page: www.aicpa.org
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Scroll down to “Students” link on the bottom left side, then click “Scholarships and Internships.”
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Beta Alpha Psi scholarships range from $250 to $1,000, with an extensive list of other available scholarships.
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Home Page: www.bap.org
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Select “Scholarships.”
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The National Society of Accountants awards dozens of scholarships each year.
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Home Page: www.nsacct.org
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Select “NSA Foundation.”
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The Government Finance Officers Association offers scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
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Home Page: www.gfoa.org
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Scroll down to “Scholarships” on the left.
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The Target All-Around Scholarship has four $10,000 scholarships and more than 2,100 $1,000 scholarships.
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Home Page: www.target.com
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Select “Take Charge of Education.”
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State Farm Foundation provides funding for scholarship programs administered by several organizations.
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Home Page: www.statefarm.com
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Search “Scholarship Programs.”
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Arkansas Student Loan Authority offers twenty-five $1,000 scholarships for Arkansas residents attending post-secondary institutions.
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Home Page: www.asla.state.ar.us
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Scroll down to bottom and click on “$1,000 Scholarship.”
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Minorities
Many
scholarships are available to ethnic minorities who are students majoring in
business or accounting.
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AICPA scholarships for minority accounting students offer awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.
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HomePage: www.aicpa.org
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Search “Minority Scholarships”
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The National Association of Black Accountants offers several scholarships to accounting, finance or business majors who are ethnic minorities. Call (301) 474-6222, ext. 14.
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Home Page: www.nabainc.org
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Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting grants awards based on academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.
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Home Page: www.alpfa.org
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Select “Students” link.
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Women
Several
scholarship opportunities await women interested in pursuing a career in
accounting.
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The ASWA’s Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers three different scholarships. The Women in Transition Scholarship awards women returning to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting. The Laurels Fund provides one-year academic scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each, for women who are pursuing a Ph.D. in accounting. The Women In Need Scholarship provides $2,000 for women in their third, fourth, or fifth year of academic pursuit who need financial support to complete their degrees.
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Home Page: www.efwa.org
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The American Woman’s Society of CPAs offers national scholarships to individuals aspiring to become Certified Public Accountants valued at approximately $2200 for a CPA Exam review course.
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Home Page: www.awscpa.org/home.htm
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Select “Scholarships and Awards.”
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Scholarship
Searches
Following
are general scholarship opportunities and Web-based scholarship search services.
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Collegeboard.com is a search engine for database of 2,000 undergraduate scholarships, internships and loan programs.
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Home Page: www.collegeboard.org
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A
number of free, scholarship-focused Internet search services also are available,
including:
Scholarship
opportunities may come and go. Many
scholarships are not offered every year and in fact, may be offered only once.
So, it is best to go to the people you know:
your college or university’s financial aid officer or department
adviser for your major. Tapping into
these resources first will give you an edge on accurate scholarship information
and direct you to those scholarships that you will most likely be interested in.
2004
Robert Half Salary
Guide
The
ASCPA has received copies of the 2004 Salary Guide from Robert Half Finance
& Accounting and Accountemps.
The
Salary Guide projects data on average starting salaries for accounting and
finance professionals throughout the United States.
The Salary Guide also includes information on the hiring outlook, a
public accounting overview, banking trends, interview questions, and salary
negotiations.
To
request your free
copy of the 2004 Salary Guide, contact Robin Harris at (501) 664-8739, or (800)
482-8739 in Arkansas, or e-mail a request to ascpa@arcpa.org.
Registration
For Computerized CPA Exam Now Open !
Registration
is now open for candidates who want to sit for the new computerized Uniform CPA
Examination. In order to reserve a
seat, candidates must apply to the state board of accountancy and receive a
Notice to Schedule.
Candidates
must reserve their seats at least five days in advance of their desired exam
date. However, since test seats are booked on a first-come, first-served basis,
the American Institute of CPAs, the National Association of the State Boards of
Accountancy and test administrator Prometric are encouraging candidates to
schedule appointments as early as possible, preferably 45 days in advance.
Candidates
can schedule three ways: online at www.prometric.com/cpa
; by phone at (800) 580-9648; or on-site at a test center.
The
computerized exam, which officially launched on April 5, will be delivered at
over 300 Prometric test centers in the United States, the District of Columbia,
Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Exam
tutorials and sample tests are available online at www.cpa-exam.org.