The Importance of a StrategyPreparing for the Uniform CPA Examination

Why pursue the CPA?

Prestige and respect

Competitive edge

Career security

Job satisfaction and variety

Earning potential

CPA value

3

Positive outlook

4

Average growth*

for all jobs

2016 – 2026

10%

7%

Projected growth* in

accounting/audit jobs

by 2016 – 2026

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; +2019 Robert Half Salary

Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals

+Public accounting firms “are taking

greater measures to retain their best

performers and recruit new employees.

They’re offering higher salaries, giving

employees bonuses and more time off,

and providing perks…”

Who is the AICPA?

6

What is the

AICPA’s role with

the CPA Exam?

Your Exam Strategy

Understand candidate requirements

Learn about the Exam and what it tests

Manage your time wisely

Form a support network

Rely on Exam partners

5 Easy Strategies

8

Strategy #1:

Understand candidate requirements

License eligibility

10

Education

Examination

Experience

*Ethics

*Confirm Ethics Exam requirement with your specific jurisdiction

The candidate process

11

Determine

Eligibility

Submit

Application

Schedule

Exam

Sit for Exam and

Get Score

Strategy #2:

Learn about the Exam and what it tests

How do you

test me?

13

Exam basics

14

18

months to pass

all sections

75

or higher on

each section

15

minute break

option to pause

the Exam timer

5

testlets per section

4Exam sections

4hours of testing per section

x

What does the

Exam test?

Higher order skills

Critical thinking

Analytical ability

Problem solving

Professional skepticism

Effective communication

16

Skill levels

17

Evaluation

Analysis

Application

Remembering and Understanding

CPA Exam Blueprints

18

Content

Organization

& Weighting

Skill Allocation

& Weighting

Representative

Tasks

References

19

20

21

AUD

72MCQ

8TBS

Skill Weighting• 5-15% Evaluation

• 15-25% Analysis

• 30-40% Application

• 30-40% Remembering and Understanding

Auditing and Attestation

Content Areas• Ethics, Professional Responsibilities, and General Principles

• Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response

• Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence

• Forming Conclusions and Reporting

Allocation15-25%

20-30%

30-40%

15-25%

22

BEC

Skill Weighting• 20-30% Analysis

• 50-60% Application

• 15-25% Remembering and Understanding

Business Environment and Concepts

62MCQ

4TBS

3

Written

Communication

Content Areas• Corporate Governance

• Economic Concepts and Analysis

• Financial Management

• Information Technology

• Operations Management

Allocation17-27%

17-27%

11-21%

15-25%

15-25%

23

FAR

66MCQ

8TBS

Skill Weighting• 25-35% Analysis

• 50-60% Application

• 10-20% Remembering and Understanding

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Content Areas• Conceptual Framework, Standard-Setting and Financial Reporting

• Select Financial Statement Accounts

• Select Transactions

• State and Local Governments

Allocation25-35%

30-40%

20-30%

5-15%

24

REG

76MCQ

8TBS

Skill Weighting• 25-35% Analysis

• 35-45% Application

• 25-35% Remembering and Understanding

Regulation

Content Areas• Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and Federal Tax Procedures

• Business Law

• Federal Taxation of Property Transactions

• Federal Taxation of Individuals

• Federal Taxation of Entities

Allocation10-20%

10-20%

12-22%

15-25%

28-38%

Exam structure

25

Testlet #1

Multiple-

choice

question

Testlet #2

Multiple-

choice

question

Testlet #3

Task-

based

simulation

Testlet #4

Task-

based

simulation

Testlet #5

Task-

based

simulation(Written

communication

BEC only)

15-minute

break

(pause timer)

Optional

break

(timer runs)

Optional

break

(timer runs)

Optional

break

(timer runs)

Welcome/Launch code screens – 5 minutes

Policy/Confidentiality/Section Info – 5 minutes

Survey – 5 minutes

Sample Tests

26

Practice with the real CPA Exam software

Highlights:

• Intuitive interface

• Dedicated “work space”

• Seamless cut/copy/paste and highlight

• Microsoft Excel

• TBS answer explanations/WCT model answers

27

Strategy #3:

Manage your time

The 18-month journey

Navigate family, work, and other personal obligations

When will you study?

Will you need time off from work?

Know the rules of the test center

4 hours to complete each section

15-minute standardized break

Test day planning

Strategy #4:

Form a support network

You’ve got support

32

Friends/Family

Fellow candidates

Professors

Employers/Colleagues

Strategy #5:

Rely on Exam partners

Exam partners

34

AICPA (aicpa.org/cpaexam)

NASBA(nasba.org)

Prometric (prometric.com)

Boards of

Accountancy

35

aicpa.org/cpaexam

Join us…

36

“CPA Exam Candidate”

Group

Tune in to the official CPA Exam podcast

37

Thank you© 2018 Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. All rights reserved.

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