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Utah CPA Ethics Exam Requirements
To meet the Utah CPA ethics exam requirements and become a CPA, candidates will need to pass the Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course (For Licensure) with a score of 90% or higher. The course can be found on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) website and is self-study while the exam is an open book examination.
This article will help you to become a CPA in Utah and is a requirement for you to take the Utah 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 Utah CPA Requirements
Credit Hours to sit for the CPA Exam | 120 |
Credit Hours in Upper-division Accounting courses to sit for the CPA Exam | 24 |
Credit Hours in Non-accounting Business or related courses to sit for the CPA Exam | 24 |
Credit Hours in Graduate or Upper-division Accounting and Business courses to sit for the CPA Exam | 30 |
Bachelor’s Required to sit for the CPA Exam | Yes |
Credit Hours to receive a CPA License | 150 |
Ethics Exam | Yes |
Work Experience | 1 Year |
Required CPE Hours Every Two Years | 80 |
Education Requirements
To meet the Utah CPA education requirements, an applicant should hold a bachelor’s degree with 150-semester hour credits that comprise of specific subjects under the 24 semester hours in non-accounting business or related courses, 24 semester hours in upper-division accounting courses and 30 additional semester hours in graduate or upper-division accounting and business courses.
CPA Exam. In Utah CPA exam requirements, candidates are required to complete 120 semester hours to sit for the exam and must include the following:
- 24 semester hours upper division and graduate level accounting courses covering the following subjects:
- financial accounting,
- auditing,
- taxation, and
- management accounting; AND
- 24 semester hours in non-accounting business or related courses covering each of the following subjects:
- business law,
- computers,
- economics,
- business ethics,
- finance,
- business statistics and quantitative methods,
- written and oral business communications,
- business administration such as marketing, production, management, policy or organizational behavior;
Lower-division business courses are acceptable for the education requirement for the examination but may not be accepted for the education requirement for licensure.
CPA License. For potential Utah CPAs in the state, the board follows the 150-hour rule, which states that all candidates must finish 150 semester hours of college-level curriculum to qualify for a license. The 150 hours must contain one of the following:
- Applicants holding a graduate degree in accounting or taxes from an AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited business school program will fulfill the Utah CPA requirements.
- Applicants with an AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree must have:
- At least 24 semester hours of upper-division or graduate-level accounting courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting.
- As well as 15 semester hours of graduate-level accounting courses in the same subjects, or an equivalent combination of both graduate and upper-division accounting courses in these subjects.
- Baccalaureate degree in business or accounting from an institution whose business education program is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and which includes no less than:
- 24 semester hours in upper division or graduate level accounting courses with at least one course in each of the following subjects: financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting;
- 30 semester hours in upper division or graduate level business or accounting courses.
- Baccalaureate or graduate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body with no less than:
- 24 semester hours in non-accounting business or related courses including each of the following subjects: business law, computers, economics, business ethics, finance, business statistics and quantitative methods, written and oral business communications, business administration such as marketing, production, management, policy or organizational behavior;
- 24 semester hours in graduate or upper division accounting courses with a minimum of 2 semester hours in each of the following subjects: auditing, financial accounting, managerial or cost accounting, systems, taxes; and
- 30 additional semester hours in graduate or upper division accounting and business courses.
Any clips, community college, online, or other non-traditional coursework may be accepted if the credits transfer to your accredited college or university.
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…
Utah CPA Exam Cost Breakdown
The Utah CPA exam cost consists of four main fees: the education evaluation application of $90, the $238.15 per CPA exam section totaling $1,379.20 for all four sections, the CPA license application fee of $85, and the 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 | $85.00 |
Renewal Fee | $63.00 |
Utah CPA Experience Requirements
To meet the Utah CPA experience requirements, candidates need to have one year (2,000 hours) of accounting experience, obtained under the supervision of a licensed CPA. The experience should include providing any type of service that uses accounting, compilation, advisory, tax, or consulting.
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…