Student Interview Day
The Arkansas Society of CPAs held its first Student Interview Day on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 in Little Rock.
College and university accounting students with at least a 3.0 grade point average (both overall and in accounting coursework) completing their degrees by May, 2006, were able to interview at scheduled times with recruiters from several firms and businesses located in Arkansas. The interviews were held in 30 minute increments, with a lunch break and two short refreshment breaks.
The twenty-one students in attendance gained valuable interviewing experience. Students were very appreciative of the chance to meet with prospective employers and the interviewers indicated that they would like to participate in the event again next year. A few interviewers stated that they intended to contact some of the students immediately afterwards for additional consideration.
If you will be completing your degree by May, 2007, and would like to participate in the next recruitment fair on October 16, 2006, please contact Robin Harris at (501) 664-8739.
Special Thanks
to the Participating Firms and Businesses:
Alltel Corporation
Engstrom, Grayson, Green & Patterson, PLLC
Hudson, Cisne & Company, LLP
Wal-Mart Realty Company
Nuvell Financial Services, Corp.
Special Thanks
to the Following Schools Whose Students Participated:
Arkansas Tech University
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Hendrix College
Ouachita Baptist University
Henderson State University
Southern Arkansas University
Christian Brothers University
Top 10 Reasons to Take the CPA Exam as Soon as Possible!
10.) Flexibility—the exam is given year-round, 2 out of 3 months; you can take it when you are ready.
9.) Convenience—over 300 test centers nationwide offer the exam, so you can find one nearest you.
8.) Use it or lose it—take the exam while the materials are fresh in your mind.
7.) Workplace realism—the exam includes tasks similar to those done by entry-level CPAs.
6.) Scheduling—easily schedule test appointments by phone, Internet, or in-person test center.
5.) Versatility—have it your way: take the exam sections all at once or individually.
4.) No minimum scores—Grades on one exam section will not affect credit on other sections.
3.) Comfort—take the exam in a secure, quiet and climate controlled test center.
2.) User-friendly—use your basic computer skills to enhance your professional standing.
1.) To become a CPA—and enjoy a rewarding career.
Visit www.cpa-exam.org for more information on the CPA Exam, registration and scheduling times
Becker CPA Review
The ASCPA is pleased to announce a new member service agreement with Becker CPA Review, for a discount to Arkansas Society of CPA associate and student members on the Becker Professional CPA Review on the full 4-part review course.
As an Arkansas Society of CPAs student or associate member, you will save $250 off of the full 4-part review of either live, Online, or CD-Rom self study review course format. Becker CPA Review classes correspond with the exam testing windows that you select.
For more information on this new member service, ASCPA members should click on the Becker icon on the Student Lounge section of the ASCPA website: www.arcpa.org or call Becker at (800) 868-3900.
MicroMash CPA Review
The ASCPA is pleased to announce a new member service agreement with PassMatrix Learning Systems, for a discount to Arkansas Society of CPA associate and student members on the MicroMash® CPA Review for both 4-part review course purchases as well as individual exam sections.
The retail price of the CPA Review program is $995 for the full review and $295 per section. PassMatrix offers ASCPA associate and student members the discounted rate of $845 for all 4 review exam sections, or $270 per individual review exam section.
For more information on this new member service, ASCPA members should click on the PassMatrix icon on the Student Lounge section of the ASCPA website: www.arcpa.org.
Testing Times for the CPA Exam
Testing Windows
The CPA Exam is offered two out of every three months of each quarter. The months when testing is available are called “testing windows.”
Testing is available:
January and February
April and May
July and August
October and November
Candidates preparing to sit for the computerized Uniform CPA Examination may now begin scheduling appointments. To reserve a seat, candidates must have applied to a state board of accountancy and received a notice to schedule (NTS). Candidates who do not have a valid NTS may not schedule an exam.
The computer-based exam is a joint effort of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric.
Prometric offers three scheduling methods:
online at www.prometric.com/cpa
via telephone, 1-800-580-9648
on-site at a test center
Prometric recommends that candidates register via the Internet, because the system is available at all times and offers instant confirmation of test appointments. Candidates must reserve their seats at least five days in advance of their desired exam date. However, the AICPA, NASBA and Prometric encourage candidates to schedule appointments as early as possible, preferably 45 days in advance. Test seats are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Structure of the Exam
The computer-based CPA Exam has four sections and is 14 hours long. The exam is administered in four sections: Auditing & Attestation, Financial Accounting & Reporting and Regulation, and Business Environment & Concepts The format consists of multiple-choice questions and new, condensed case studies, which are referred to as “simulations.” As of April 2004 each section of the exam—except for the BEC section—initially will contain two simulations. Those for the BEC section will be included at a later date. All sections will test candidates’ skills in applying knowledge in the specific content areas.
Auditing & Attestation (41/2 hours). This section evaluates the individual’s understanding of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards and other standards related to attest engagements.
Financial Accounting & Reporting (4 hours). This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and government entities.
Regulation (3 hours). This area tests comprehension of federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities and business law.
Business Environment & Concepts (21/2 hours). This section covers candidates’ knowledge of the general business environment and the concepts needed to comprehend the underlying reasons for and accounting implications of business transactions.
Simulations will test candidates’ knowledge and skills by means of realistic work-related situations. Each simulation complements the multiple-choice portion of the exam. All simulations will assess the knowledge and skills appropriate for, and expected of, an entry-level CPA. Most of the simulations will contain some research activity—a new component of the test—usually involving an electronic search of or access to authoritative literature, the Internal Revenue Code and income tax regulations. For example, a candidate researching an audit question might need to consult AICPA professional standards to answer questions within a simulation. Questions of this type also will require candidates to complete tasks such as writing a brief letter or memo.
What assistance is available for help in preparing for the CPA examination?
An online tutorial is provided at www.cpa-exam.org. It will familiarize students and CPA exam candidates with the structure, length, content, definitions, content weighting, and with the types of questions and responses used in the computer-based test and with moving from one section to another. All CPA exam candidates should review this tutorial before taking the exam.