Alabama CPA exam application process
To sit for the CPA exam as a first-time four-part candidate in Alabama, follow these steps: Before applying for the exam, evaluate your current credentials. You must be at least 19 years of age and an American citizen, or have declared your intent to become a citizen. You will need:
- A Bachelor's degree with a concentration in Accounting or at least 33 hours in Accounting (excluding introductory courses) including 9 in financial accounting, 6 in both auditing and taxation, 3 in both managerial and governmental/not-for-profit, and 6 in accounting electives. Credits must also include 3 hours in business law and 27 hours in other business subjects, or
- A graduate degree in Accounting from a program accredited by the American Asseembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or comparable accrediting organization recognized by the Board, or
- A graduate degree from an AACSB, or other comparable accrediting organization recognized by the Board, accredited program with all of the requirements detailed in 1. above.
If you meet the educational requirements, submit your application to the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy using the link provided in the Becker website. The application fee will be $100 and the exam fees will be $800 for a total of $900. Your name on the application should exactly match your name on your primary form of identification, which is usually your driver’s license. At this time you should also begin planning your study approach by making inquiries into CPA reviews available in your area. The Becker CPA Review offers classes live, online or self-study to accommodate the needs of all candidates.
Contact any educational institutions attended and request that transcripts be forwarded to the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy for their evaluation. If you do not expect any problems in processing your application it is best to make plans to start your review at this time. The Becker CPA Review will significantly increase your chances of passing the exam.
After receiving the required information, the State Board will issue your Authorization to Test (ATT) to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). You will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) which is good for six months; however, since every third is non-testing, the NTS covers four testing months.
Your NTS allows you to start scheduling your exams. You can sit for the exam parts in any sequence so you can plan your reviews to coincide with your exam scheduling. The most efficient approach is to sit for two parts in each exam window; however, exam fees paid for parts not taken are not refundable. Exam times are scheduled with Prometric and can be set up online at www.prometric.com/cpa. You can take the exam at a site in Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Mobile, Montgomery, or any other Prometric location that is convenient to you.