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Ohio CPA Ethics Exam Requirements 2024

Ohio CPA Ethics Exam Requirements

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Ohio CPA Ethics Exam Requirements

To meet the Ohio CPA ethics exam requirements and become a CPA, candidates must accomplish a board-approved course in Professional Standards and Responsibilities (PSR) which emphasizes Ohio accountancy law and board rules. The courses can be found on the board’s website.

This article will help you to become a CPA in Ohio and is a requirement for you to take the Ohio 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 Ohio CPA Requirements

Credit Hours to sit for the CPA Exam120
Certificate of Good Moral CharacterYes
Social Security NumberYes
Ohio State ResidencyYes
Bachelor’s DegreeYes
GMAT Minimum Score670
Credit Hours in Accounting courses to sit for the CPA Exam24
Credit Hours in Business courses to sit for the CPA Exam24
Total Credit Hours to receive CPA License150
Work Experience required to receive a CPA License2 – 4 Years
Ethics Exam required to receive a CPA LicenseYes
BCI and FBI Criminal Records CheckYes

Education Requirements

To sit for the Uniform CPA examination, candidates should first meet the exam requirements which is the Ohio CPA education requirement. The ideal first step to getting the CPA title is to get a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

It will not only prepare applicants with the necessary coursework required, but it could also help make applicants be well informed about what they will encounter in the CPA exam.

Ohio accepts candidates with 120-semester hour credit to sit for the exam. However, the accountancy board of Ohio does provide educational requirement options. Candidates can choose either of the two educational requirements to complete:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. Candidates must complete 150 semester hours in various course subjects that include:
    • 24 semester hours in business subjects
    • 24 semester hours in accounting including at least one course in each:
      • Financial Accounting
      • Management Accounting
      • Auditing with coverage of GAAS (internal auditing may not be used for auditing, but may be used as an elective)
      • Taxation
  2. Achieve a score of 620 or higher on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) completing 24 semester hours in business subjects and 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level.

Note that 18 semester hours of graduate credit in accounting will qualify as meeting the requirement. The accounting hours must include at least one course in each of the following:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting
  • Auditing with coverage of GAAS (internal auditing may not be used for auditing, but may be used as an elective)
  • Taxation

The Accountancy Board of Ohio recognizes credits earned at any school accredited and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), as well as schools of business and accounting that hold specialty accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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…

Ohio CPA Exam Cost Breakdown

The Ohio CPA exam cost consists of four main fees: the education evaluation application fee of $90, a $349.80 per CPA exam section totaling $1,399.20 for all four sections, the CPA certificate application fee which cost $100 and finally a registration fee which will depend on the year.

Education Evaluation Application Fee$90.00
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)$349.80
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)$349.80
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)$349.80
Regulation (REG)$349.80
Total for all 4 CPA Exam Sections$1,399.20
CPA Certificate Application Fee$100.00
Three-year Ohio Registration Fee$85.00
Two-year Ohio Registration Fee (Only for Newly Licensed CPAs or Return to Good Standing)$56.00
One-year Ohio Registration Fee (Only for Return to Good Standing)$28.00
Late Payment Fee$100.00

ALL LICENSING FEES ARE SUBJECT TO A $3.50 PROCESSING FEE

Ohio CPA Experience Requirements

To meet the Ohio CPA experience requirements, two years of accounting experience will be required for CPA licensure if the candidate first sat for the CPA Exam prior to completing 150 semester credits, or four years of accounting experience is required for CPA licensure for candidates approved under the GMAT.

Experiences will have to meet the following criteria:

  • Be earned working in a public accounting firm, government, academia or business.
  • Be earned working in Ohio or any other state (experience earned outside of the U.S. must be approved by the board).
  • Be verified by a CPA or a comparably qualified accountant holding an independent auditor credential who is familiar with the candidate’s work and the exact length of the experience.

Complete the Record of Experience form located here. The Experience verification form from a CPA, located here, is necessary only if the authorized supervisor is not a CPA. Send the form/s to:

Accountancy Board of Ohio (ABO)
77 S. High St., 18th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6128

Criminal Background Check

Ohio CPA candidates are required to get their criminal background checked. It is required to use WebCheck, Ohio’s electronic fingerprint system, to send the fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI).

This background check will also include an FBI criminal records check. Candidates will need to find a BCI and FBI vendor that participates in National WebCheck and send the fees and fingerprints to the vendor (not to the Accountancy Board of Ohio). It is then the responsibility of the candidate to have the results of the background check sent to the board. Instructions for pursuing this background check are located here.

Obtaining the CPA License

Finally, after passing and completing all educational requirements, exams and experience, candidates may now apply for their CPA license or permit to practice. In order to receive the CPA license, candidates need to complete and submit the following:

Apply for CPA Licensure/Permit to Practice

When the Accountancy Board of Ohio receives the application for certification packet and reviews a candidate’s file, if they find that some documents are incomplete, the candidate will be notified by email of anything that may be missing.

When all necessary documents are in the hands of the ABO, candidates will be sent a letter of certification that includes a tear-off portion for applying for the initial two-year license/permit to practice.

Remit with a check for $100.00 made payable to Treasurer-State of Ohio. The letter will also explain the CPE requirements for the first two-year permit period.

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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