The requirements of a CPA vary from state to state, but there are a few general things that a Florida CPA must meet in order to become licensed in Florida. Each state has its own specific set of qualification requirements for their CPA examination, and not all of those requirements are the same. Below is discussing the main requirements for Florida.
Unlike some other states, Florida CPA examination requirements doesn’t include a requirement for a prospective candidate’s state residency or even age to sit for the examination. However, most financial institutions that perform the licensing process require a minimum of twenty hours of self-study education each year. In addition to those self-studied hours, the CPA needs to pass at least one of the four tests required to be taken by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) before becoming licensed.
Those tests are the Professional Development Test (PDT), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FSSB) Test, and the Annual CPA Examination. All three of these tests are nationally recognized as being essential prerequisites for licensure. The Florida CPA board has also created a specific licensing process called the CPA Exam Replacement Model that mirrors the processes that are administered in many of the other states across the country. The exam is available in print and online formats and the Board offers study guides and multiple choice tests. There are no prerequisites for taking the test beyond having completed a high school education. Once you have passed the CPA Exam, you are welcome to apply for your Florida CPA license.
Florida CPA licensees must complete an approved course of study to obtain their license. A course of study for becoming a CPA in Florida includes educational learning on accountancy principles, business laws, financial accounting principles, public accounting principles, and taxation, and ethics and accounting. The three-part exam includes at least one of the four required tests and will test you on the specific knowledge areas that are listed above. The requirements to take the examination do not require payment for study materials, but all students in a CPA course of study must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours with a passing score of at least 75%.
In order to get the most out of your Florida CPA license, you need to work. Working as an accountancy professional gives you the opportunity to develop a sound understanding of how business is conducted in the world today. In addition to working directly with customers and companies, working in the industry gives you the opportunity to hone your skills and provide insight and direction to other professionals. This type of work experience also gives students the opportunity to build their professional reputation and to gain valuable networking connections that will serve them throughout their career. As a result, working as a CPA in Florida can give students the opportunity to advance their careers and increase their earning power.
If you are interested in obtaining the education and training that it takes to be a CPA in Florida, then you should contact a licensed Florida CPA firm to discuss your options. These firms will be able to provide you with the information that you need to make an informed decision about pursuing CPA licensure. They will also be able to walk you through all of the steps necessary to obtain your professional CPA license.
