Missouri CPA Exam

CPAs are licensed through the Missouri State Board of Accountancy (MSBA). Being a one-tier state, you must pass the CPA Exam and conform to experience requirements before applying for the license. Note that Missouri also takes part in the international administration of the CPA Exam.

Here is a rundown of all the information pertaining to the Missouri CPA exam and license requirements.

Contents

  • 24 semester hours in accounting
  • 24 semester hours in general business

Missouri CPA Exam Requirements

  • Eligibility RequirementsFeesRequired Documents

Missouri CPA License Requirements

  • Education RequirementsExam RequirementsExperience RequirementsEthics Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Missouri Exam Information & Resources

Missouri CPA Exam Requirements

Passing the CPA ExamCPA ExamA Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a US state board-issued license to practice the accounting professionread more is a common requirement for licensure in all states. Qualifying the exam ensures that a candidate possesses the minimum competency standards needed to hold a license. With pass rates hovering around 50% for over a decade, the exam has earned the notoriety of being exceptionally tough.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) designs and grades the exam in cooperation with the National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA). The exam is computer-based and is conducted all year round at designated Prometric centers worldwide.  

The CPA exam is bifurcated into four sectionCPA Exam Is Bifurcated Into Four SectionThe 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 that can be taken in any sequence over the period of 18 months. It starts from the date of taking the first passed exam section. Note that all sections must be qualified within the stipulated time period to retain credit for the passed sections.

The details of the exam sections are as follows:

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Eligibility Requirements

Missouri exam applicants must:

  • Be of good moral characterEarn 120 semester hours of general college education with:24 semester hours in accounting24 semester hours in general business

Ensure to satisfy the requisites within 60 days after the testing date of your first exam section. Furthermore, here is the list of acceptable course requirements. 

  • 24 semester hours in accounting24 semester hours in general business

Apply for the CPA Exam through CPA Examination Services (CPAES). Please check the NASBA portal to know the complete procedure. 

Applicants may also use the NASBA Advisory Evaluation service to discern any academic shortfall in their education before submitting the initial application. 

Fees

Both initial and re-exam applicants must submit the applicable fees to CPAES. 

Missouri does not allow the applicants to withdraw from the exam or request a Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) extension. Nonetheless, applicants in extraordinary situations can request an NTS extension or procure a limited exam fees compensation. 

Both examination and application fees are non-refundable. After making the payment, applicants receive an NTS, which gives them six months to sit for the applied exam section(s). 

Required Documents

CPAES requires you to submit these documents at the time of application. 

Kindly submit only originals and not photocopies of your transcripts and evaluations.

Missouri CPA License Requirements

Passing the Uniform CPA Exam in itself does not mean a candidate is licensed to practice as a CPA. Instead, successful candidates must fulfill other education and experience conditions before qualifying for licensure. 

Here are the licensing prerequisites:

  • Age – 21 yearsEducation – 150 semester hoursExam – Pass all four exam sectionsExperience – One yearEthics – AICPA-administered Ethics Exam

Besides the above requisites, Missouri requires U.S. citizenship, residency, and social security number to apply for the license.

Submit your licensure application, required fees (a $90 check), and documents to the MSBA. Check out the MSBA’s official portal for more information. 

Education Requirements

Applicants must earn 150 semester hours with a baccalaureate degree. Know that the first 120 semester hours are mandatory to attempt the CPA Exam. While the rest 30 hours are a requisite for CPA licensure. 

Further details are mentioned in the Eligibility Requirements section. 

Exam Requirements

CPA Exam is a computerized test to be passed within the rolling 18-month period. Candidates must score a minimum of 75 points in each of the four exam sections. For more information, kindly visit the Missouri Exam Requirements section. 

Experience Requirements

Missouri CPA aspirants must obtain one year (2000 hours) of accounting-specific work experience. Furthermore, future auditors must gain two years of employment with one year in an auditing-specific role. 

The required experience may be full-time or part-time. However, it must include a minimum of 2000 hours gained in the 1-3 year period. Also, ensure to affirm the work experience by an active CPA. 

Ethics Requirements

Missouri licensure applicants must pass the open-book AICPA Ethics Exam with at least 90%. They may attempt the examination at any time during the licensure process.

Missouri Society of CPA (MOCPA) members can order complimentary online ethics exam along with other ethics materials. The membership costs $185.

Let’s dig a bit deeper and get you all the information on the ethics exam. 

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Missouri CPA License requires renewal every two years. Renewal requires fulfilling the 40 CPE credit hours requirement. Note that you will receive the license renewal at least 60 days prior to your license expiration date. 

The Show-Me State acknowledges CPE credits for programs rendered by NASBA National Registry Sponsors. 

Let’s discuss all the details. 

With a sound employment rate, Missouri offers countless lucrative career opportunities for aspiring CPAs. Also, having the twelfth lowest cost of living in the U.S. makes it perfect for enjoying life with a satisfying job and an affordable lifestyle. 

Practicing as a CPA in a place with a $328 billion Gross Domestic Product and promising economic growth will reap great rewards for your career. Just stay updated with the CPA exam and license requirements through the Missouri state board, AICPA, and NASBA websites. And yes, don’t forget to renew your license biennially! You may also have a look at 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 for more details.

Missouri Exam Information & Resources

  1. Missouri Society of CPA (http://www.mocpa.org/)

540 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 200

St. Louis, MO 63141

Ph: (800) 264-7966

Email: [email protected]

  1. Missouri Division of Professional Registration (https://pr.mo.gov/accountancy.asp)

3605 Missouri BoulevardP.O. Box 1335Jefferson City, MO  65102-1335Ph: 573.751.0293 TTY: 800.735.2966 Voice Relay: 800.735.2466 Voice RelayEmail: [email protected]

  1. Missouri Secretary of State (https://www.sos.mo.gov/)

600 West Main Street

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Main Office Ph: (573) 751-4936

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

150 Fourth Ave. North

Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37219-2417

Tel: 615-880-4200

Fax: 615-880-4290

  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 Missouri CPA Exam & License Requirements. Here we discuss all the prerequisites to the Missouri CPA exam and license. You may also have a look at the below articles to compare CPA with other examinations –

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