Your Future, Right Now! A Review of the CPA and CMA Exams by Dr. Monte Swain

AICPA States NASBA Schools Exam Prep Providers Employers

Exam Prep Providers (the “biggies”) – Becker (a lecture/coaching service) $865 per part, plus $95 registration fee. If you register for all four parts, discounted to a total of $2,690 – Gleim (a guided self-study service) complete set for $989.95

Nobody Cares About the Score! Remember: It’s a Pass/Fail Exam!!

Do the following: – Complete your education requirement (depends on the state) – Become a member of the AICPA – Pass all four parts of the exam – Satisfy the experience requirement (depends on the state) – Comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct To Retain Certification: – Continuing education—80 hours every 2years – Maintain membership – Comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct

AICPA States NASBA Schools Exam Prep Providers Employers

IMA Schools Exam Prep Providers Employers

Education: Bachelor’s degree Experience: Two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. This may be completed prior to application or within seven years of passing the examination

Do the following: – Complete your education requirement (BS degree) – Become a member of the IMA – Pass all four parts of the exam (skip one part if CPA) – Satisfy the experience requirement (two years) – Comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct To Retain Certification: – Continuing education—30 hours per year – Maintain membership – Comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct

The Certification Calendar JanFebMarAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec CPA CMA CMA Part 4 *Visit for CPA Exam Testing Information and Testing Centerswww.prometric.com/cpa *Visit for CMA Exam Testing Information and Testing Centerswww.prometric.com/icma

Commit to a date, and get it done it fast! AprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptember Graduate Take a short break! Study for two weeks Take two sections of CPA Exam Two week break! Study for two weeks Take two sections of the CPA Exam Short Break! Start studying for CMA Take CMA Exam—only three parts if CPA is passed (plan on it!) Short Break! Start your career with six letters behind your name!! A Sample Schedule A Student received August 22, 2008 (used with permission) Thank you for encouraging us to take the CPA exam quickly after we graduated. I took 2 parts in May, and the other 2 sections in July (June was a blackout month). I passed all four parts, and now I don't have to worry about them when I start work. I definitely agree with your recommendation to finish all four parts in a short window. You and the other professors at BYU prepared us well for the exam and our professions. A Student received August 22, 2008 (used with permission) Thank you for encouraging us to take the CPA exam quickly after we graduated. I took 2 parts in May, and the other 2 sections in July (June was a blackout month). I passed all four parts, and now I don't have to worry about them when I start work. I definitely agree with your recommendation to finish all four parts in a short window. You and the other professors at BYU prepared us well for the exam and our professions.

Your future is in your hands! (With some help from others)