Washington DC CPA Exam

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The U.S. region pursues a one-tier licensing technique. Therefore, you may bag the Washington DC CPA Certificate and CPA License concurrently after fulfilling the designated preconditions. 

The District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (DCBOA) is the sole authority for CPA licensing in Washington DC. The board ensures that CPAs conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the accounting laws of the federal district. CPA aspirants may also schedule the licensure test at global Prometric testing centers. 

With a yearly average remuneration of $98,030, Washington DC is among the top-paying metropolitan areas for accountants and auditors. Its key industries like technology, higher education, and the federal government require the proficiency of CPAs to maintain smooth business operations. 

Professional services covering the accounting sector is one of the largest divisions in terms of employment in the capital district. Simultaneously, the federal government, banking, and real estate are other sectors where the demand for CPAs is soaring. 

Let’s see what it takes to fulfill the Washington DC CPA exam and license requirements. 

Contents

Washington DC CPA Exam Requirements

  • Eligibility RequirementsFeesRequired Documents

Washington DC CPA License Requirements

  • Education RequirementsExam RequirementsExperience Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Washington DC Exam Information & Resources

Washington DC CPA Exam Requirements

The computerized CPA ExaminationCPA ExaminationA Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a US state board-issued license to practice the accounting professionread more is a 16-hour long test structured into four sections. It analyses your capability to leverage the accounting expertise and derive solutions for realistic circumstances. Each of the following CPA sectionsCPA SectionsThe Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam comprises four sections, namely, Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). The unique content, structure, format, and scoring of the CPA exam earn it the title of one of the most challenging professional exams. read more is four-hour long:

  • Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR ExamFAR ExamThe Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) CPA Exam section tests a candidate’s competency in understanding and applying financial accounting and reporting standards.read more)Business Environment & Concepts (BEC ExamBEC ExamThe BEC CPA Exam (Business Environment and Concepts) exam section evaluates your understanding of the general business environment and your duties and responsibilities as a CPA towards it. It assesses your ability to recognize and scrutinize situations related to Financial reporting, Financial statement audit and attestation and Tax preparation
  • read more)Regulation (REG ExamREG ExamREG CPA Exam (Regulation) exam section tests a candidate’s competency in applying the concepts of federal taxation, business law, and ethics. It is a four-hour exam with 15 minutes break.
  • read more)Auditing & Attestation (AUD ExamAUD ExamAuditing and Attestation (AUD) is one of the four Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam sections to be passed for CPA licensure. With a complex exam format, tricky questions, and an exhaustive list of topics to study, you will benefit from some quick tips on the art of preparing for the AUD CPA exam section.read more)

You must score at least 75 points on a scale of 0-99 in each section. To conclude the CPA Exam, a rolling 18-month period starts from the testing date of your first passed section. 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) coordinates with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric to conduct the examination. 

Eligibility Requirements

You must complete a baccalaureate degree with at least 120 semester hours from an authorized U.S. academic institute, including:

  • 24 semester hours in accounting along with:3 semester hours in financial accounting3 semester hours in auditing (internal or external auditing)3 semester hours in cost or managerial accounting3 semester hours in U.S. Federal Income Tax3 semester hours in commercial or business law

Ensure to attain the educational requirement at the time of application. Apply for the exam through CPA Examination Services (CPAES). To know the complete process, please check the NASBA portal. 

  • 3 semester hours in financial accounting3 semester hours in auditing (internal or external auditing)3 semester hours in cost or managerial accounting3 semester hours in U.S. Federal Income Tax

Washington DC also offers the optional NASBA Advisory Evaluation service to find any educational flaws in your documents before submitting the initial exam application. 

Fees

Initial candidates:

Re-examination candidates:

Washington DC does not permit you to withdraw from the CPA Exam or extend your Notice-to-Schedule (NTS). Still, you may request an NTS extension or a limited rebate of the examination fees in exceptional situations.

Note that both examination and application fees are non-refundable. Therefore, once the NTS is received, you have six months to attempt the applied section(s). Or else, you will have to re-apply.

Required Documents

CPAES requires the submission of the following documents.

Note that the e-transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institute. However, submitting photocopies of transcripts is strictly prohibited. 

Washington DC CPA License Requirements

Meet these preconditions to get your Washington DC CPA License. 

Submit the CPA licensure application, fees, and documents along with a 2″X2″ photograph and an ID issued by the government to DCBOA. Refer to the Washington DC board website for more information.

Education Requirements

The Washington state board requires you to obtain 150 semester hours through one of the following pathways:

  • A baccalaureate degree with an accounting major (or substantially equivalent) from a board-recognized academic instituteA board-acceptable baccalaureate degree with the equivalent of an accounting major and other business administration courses

The required accountancy coursework must include:

  • Minimum 3 semester hours each in accounting areas like:Commercial (Business Law)Financial AccountingAuditingCost AccountingFederal Income TaxesMaximum 12 semester hours in finance and other accounting courses

  • Commercial (Business Law)Financial AccountingAuditingCost AccountingFederal Income Taxes

Exam Requirements

You must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours with a baccalaureate degree to be an eligible CPA Exam applicant. Moreover, ensure to score at least 75 points in each of the four exam sections within the rolling 18-month period. 

For more information, kindly check the Washington CPA Exam Requirements section. 

Experience Requirements

Gaining the Washington DC CPA License requires you to complete at least one year of work experience. The experience may be full-time or part-time with 2000 hours earned during the 1-3-year period. Ensure to get it verified by an active CPA. 

Experience in industry, government, public practice, or academia is acceptable. Furthermore, the qualifying services include accounting, tax services, or financial skills. 

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

To maintain the CPA license in Washington DC, you must complete 80 CPE credit hours. Ensure to complete the required hours over a rolling biennial period. 

Let’s view all the details here. 

Whether you aspire to be a CPA employed in the government, healthcare, real estate, or academia department, the capital city has it all for you. In addition, Washington DC offers many specialization opportunities for newly licensed CPAs. All in all, you won’t regret the decision to be licensed in a place with immense possibilities for career advancement. 

Meanwhile, keep tabs on the DCBOA, AICPA, and NASBA websites for the latest updates on Washington DC’s CPA exam and license requirements. You may also consider joining the Washington Society of CPAs to broaden your networking options. Learn more about CPE credits for CPACPE Credits For CPAAs a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you need to acquire Continuing Professional Education or CPE credits for sustaining your license. This ensures that you are actively involved in improving your know-how of the profession by engaging in learning activities.read more 

Washington DC Exam Information & Resources

  1. Washington DC Board of Accountancy (https://dcra.dc.gov/accountancy)

1100 4th Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20024

Ph: (202) 442-4400

Fax: (202) 442-9445

Email: [email protected]

  1. The Greater Washington Society of CPAs

1015 15th Street, NW | Suite 600,

Washington, DC 20005

Ph: 202-347-3050 

  1. NASBA (https://nasba.org/ )

150 Fourth Ave. North

Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37219-2417

Tel: 615-880-4200

Fax: 615-880-4290

CPAES

1.800.CPA.EXAM

  1. AICPA (https://www.aicpa.org/)

Phone number: 888.777.7077

220 Leigh Farm Road

Durham, NC 27707-8110

Fax server: 800.362.5066

A Guide to Washington DC CPA Exam & License Requirements. Here we discuss Washington DC licensure prerequisites like education, fees, experience, etc. You may also have a look at the below articles to compare CPA with other examinations –

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