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Indiana CPA Education Requirements 2024

Indiana CPA Education Requirements

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Indiana CPA Education Requirements

To meet the Indiana CPA education requirements and become a CPA, applicants must have a earn either of the following:

  1. A graduate degree with 150 semester hours in general education which must include 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or 15 semester hours in accounting at the graduate level, or an equivalent combination of both and 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses other than accounting courses, at the undergraduate or graduate level.
  2. A baccalaureate degree with 150 semester hours in general education 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level and 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses other than accounting courses.

This article will help you to become a CPA in Indiana and is a requirement for you to take the Indiana CPA exam.

How to Save Yourself MONTHS of Time and Frustration
Keep in mind that the CPA exam is the one part of getting your CPA license that you can control how long it takes. The education and experience requirements take as long as they take, but the CPA exams can take you as little as 6 months, or as long as multiple years… depending on how effective your study process is from the beginning.
Learn how to study strategically so you can save yourself tons of time and retake fees with this free training…

Summary of Indiana CPA Requirements

Credit hours to sit for the CPA exam150
Bachelor’s required to sit for the CPA examYes
Credit hours in accounting subjects to sit for the CPA exam24
Credit hours in business subjects to sit for the CPA exam24
Total credit hours to receive a CPA license150
Work experience required to receive a CPA license2 Years
Ethics exam required to get a CPA licenseNo
U.S. Social Security NumberYes

Indiana Education Requirements

If an applicant is interested in sitting for the CPA exam in Indiana, the Indiana CPA education requirements should be met. Some states allow students to sit for the CPA exam with 120 credit hours; in Indiana, students are not eligible to sit for the CPA exam until they’ve met the 150 semester hours requirement.

It is required that ALL CPA exam candidates have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university or institution. The candidate must meet ONE of the following requirements.

  1. Applicant must earn 150 semester hours in general education, which includes a graduate degree from college or university or institution that is accredited by the accrediting organization recognized by the Board, and completed:
    • At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or 15 semester hours in accounting courses at the graduate level or an equivalent combination thereof which must include courses covering the following subjects:
      • Financial accounting
      • Auditing
      • Taxation
      • Managerial accounting courses and
    • At least 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses; aside from taking accounting courses at the undergraduate or graduate level, which are composed of the following:
      • Six semester hours of business and tax law courses
      • Six semester hours of computer science courses
  2. Applicant must earn 150 semester hours in general education, which must include a baccalaureate degree from college or university or institution that is accredited by the accrediting organization recognized by the Board, and completed:
    • At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level, which must include the following subjects:
      • Financial accounting
      • Auditing
      • Taxation
      • Managerial accounting courses
    • At least 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses; aside from taking accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level, which are composed of the following:
      • Six semester hours of business and tax law courses
      • Six semester hours of computer science courses

Transcripts

If an applicant completed the educational requirements at the time of application:

  • Submit an official transcript from each school that you attended. Transfer credits are not acceptable. You must submit a transcript from each institution.
  • The degree you earned must be posted on your official transcript.
  • The official transcripts should be submitted directly from the institution.
  • Electronically transfer of transcripts is acceptable provided that they are official.
  • If the courses have been completed outside the U.S. for a school located on the U.S. campus, transcripts must be issued by the registrar from the U.S. campus. Transcripts from the campus located outside the U.S. will not be accepted.

If the applicant is currently enrolled in college or university at the time of application, you should:

  • Submit a completed Indiana Certificate of Enrollment (COE) form and an official transcript from each school you attended.
  • The Dean or Registrar should be the signatory of the COE.
  • The COE and official transcript/s must be received directly from the academic institution.
  • If the courses have been completed outside the U.S. for a school located on the U.S. campus, transcripts must be issued by the registrar from the U.S. campus. Transcripts from the campus located outside the U.S. will not be accepted.

If the applicant completed educational requirements at institutions outside the U.S., you are required to:

  • Have your credentials evaluated by EITHER of the following services:

Transcripts must be sent directly from your school to CPA Examination Services. Transfer credits are not acceptable. Your application is incomplete until all transcripts have been received.

Coursework completed as part of a Chartered Accountant or similar program is considered professional training. Therefore, it will not be accepted toward the education requirements for the U.S. Uniform CPA Examination.

Pass the Uniform CPA Examination

The “Uniform CPA Examination”, which is a 4-part exam, is developed by the AICPA – the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and administered by NASBA – the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

The Three Core Exam Sections

Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

The Auditing and Attestation (AUD) section of the Uniform CPA Examination (the Exam) tests the essential knowledge and skills a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate when performing audit engagements, attestation engagements or accounting and review service engagements.

Newly licensed CPAs are required to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to professional responsibilities, including ethics, independence, and professional skepticism. Professional skepticism reflects an iterative process that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence.
  • Understand the entity including its operations, information systems (including the use of third-party systems), and its underlying business processes, risks, and related internal controls.
  • Understand the flow of transactions and underlying data through a business process and its related information systems.

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

The Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) section of the Uniform CPA Examination (the Exam) assesses the knowledge and skills that a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate in the financial accounting and reporting frameworks used by business entities (public and nonpublic), not-for-profit entities and state and local government entities.

The financial accounting and reporting frameworks that are eligible for assessment within the FAR section of the Exam include the standards and regulations issued by the:

  • Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
  • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (U.S. SEC)
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)

Regulation (REG)

The Regulation (REG) section of the Uniform CPA Examination (the Exam) tests the knowledge and skills that a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate with respect to:

  • U.S. federal taxation
  • U.S. ethics and professional responsibilities related to tax practice
  • U.S. business law

The Three Disciplines

The three new disciplines in the 2024 CPA Exam, part of the CPA Evolution initiative, are designed to allow candidates to specialize in areas that align with their career interests and the demands of the modern business environment. Here’s a more detailed look at each discipline:

Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)

Objective: This discipline focuses on higher-order skills needed in financial statement analysis, business reporting, and the strategic role of the CPA in business decision-making.

Key Topics:

  • Financial Statement Analysis: Understanding and interpreting financial statements to assess an entity’s financial health and performance.
  • Performance Management: Developing and using key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure, manage, and improve business performance.
  • Data Analytics and Visualization: Utilizing data analytics tools to analyze business data, and effectively presenting data to support business decisions.
  • Strategic Planning and Risk Management: Involvement in the strategic planning process and identifying, assessing, and managing business risks.
  • Business Processes and Controls: Understanding and evaluating business processes and internal controls to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Information Systems and Controls (ISC)

Objective: This discipline is tailored for those interested in information technology, data security, and controls. It addresses the increasing role of technology in accounting and auditing.

Key Topics:

  • IT Governance and Risk: Understanding the frameworks for managing and governing enterprise IT; identifying and managing IT-related risks.
  • Information Security and Cybersecurity: Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, data protection laws, and the steps necessary to protect information assets.
  • System and Organization Controls (SOC) Reporting: Understanding the requirements for SOC reports and the role of CPAs in assessing controls at a service organization.
  • Data Management and Privacy: Managing data effectively and understanding privacy regulations.
  • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Planning and strategies to ensure business operations can continue and recover from disruptive events.

Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

Objective: This discipline focuses on tax compliance, tax planning, and tax strategy, suitable for those who aim to specialize in taxation.

Key Topics:

  • Individual Tax Planning and Compliance: Understanding tax laws affecting individual taxpayers, including income, deductions, credits, and tax planning strategies.
  • Business Tax Planning and Compliance: Knowledge of tax considerations for different business entities, including corporations, partnerships, and S-corporations.
  • Estate, Gift, and Trust Taxation: Understanding the tax implications and planning strategies for estates, gifts, and trusts.
  • International Taxation: Knowledge of taxation issues related to cross-border transactions and multinational enterprises.
  • State and Local Taxation (SALT): Understanding the complexities of state and local tax laws and their impact on business and individual tax planning.

Tips for Passing the CPA Exam

The CPA exam covers so many topics that you will need to study specifically for each section, usually for 6-8 weeks per section. Even a master’s degree in accounting doesn’t adequately prepare you to just walk in and pass the 4 CPA exams.

You will need a full review course such as Becker, Wiley CPA, Gleim, Roger, etc, and you will need to dedicate several hours a day over the course of months to even have a chance at getting passing scores.

How to Save Yourself MONTHS of Time and Frustration
Keep in mind that the CPA exam is the one part of getting your CPA license that you can control how long it takes. The education and experience requirements take as long as they take, but the CPA exams can take you as little as 6 months, or as long as multiple years… depending on how effective your study process is from the beginning.
Learn how to study strategically so you can save yourself tons of time and retake fees with this free training…

Indiana CPA Exam Cost Breakdown

The Indiana CPA exam cost consists of five main fees: an education evaluation application fee of $90, the $344.80 per CPA exam section totaling $1,379.20 for all four sections, a $75 fee on the license application, and lastly the license renewal fee of $50.

Education Evaluation Application Fee$90.00
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)$344.80
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)$344.80
Regulation (REG)$344.80
Disciplines (ISC, TCP, or BAR)$344.80
Total for all 4 CPA Exam Sections$1,379.20
CPA License Application Fee (Not for first-time applicants)$75.00
CPA License Renewal Fee (3 Years)$50.00

Indiana CPA Ethics Exam

While most states require ethics before licensing, Indiana candidates can become a CPA without it as there are no Indiana CPA ethics exam requirements. However, part of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement is to attend 4 hours of ethics every three years.

Indiana CPA Experience Requirements

To meet the Indiana CPA experience requirements, candidates are required 24 months or two years of experience in government, academia, or public practice verified by an active CPA license holder.

Indiana CPA License Requirements

Once you complete the experience requirements, you are now ready to apply for that license. Please refer to the list of requirements to obtain an Indiana CPA license:

  • Complete the application form. It must be submitted at MyLicense.IN.gov or mailed to the office.
  • Application fee. No fee is required during submission of Application for first time applicants. For all others, the application fee is $75.00.
  • Positive Response Documentation
  • CPA Verification of Experience
  • CPA exam grades from the state the exam/s were taken.
  • Original Copy of Transcripts
  • Verification of Licensure
  • Issuance Fee

How to Save Yourself MONTHS of Time and Frustration
Keep in mind that the CPA exam is the one part of getting your CPA license that you can control how long it takes. The education and experience requirements take as long as they take, but the CPA exams can take you as little as 6 months, or as long as multiple years… depending on how effective your study process is from the beginning.
Learn how to study strategically so you can save yourself tons of time and retake fees with this free training…

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