The requirements to become a CPA in Montana can be a bit confusing so I put this guide together to help you navigate the process! If you’re just starting to research getting your CPA license in MT then I suggest starting from the top. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to any section you’d like to know a little more about!
Contents
- 1 7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Montana
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Montana
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Montana.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Montana residency required?: No
- Minimum level of education required: See next section
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN)* required?: Yes
*An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may also be provided
Fulfill the MT CPA Education Requirements
In Montana you need at least 150 semester hours to get your CPA license but only need to meet certain course requirements to sit for the CPA Exam, which means you can sit for the exam while you’re still in college!
Here’s a detailed breakdown of exactly what’s needed to sit for the CPA Exam and for licensure:
Requirements to sit for the CPA Exam:
- Have completed at least 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours of accounting courses above the introductory level, including at least one course in each of the following subject areas:
- Financial accounting,
- Auditing,
- Taxation,
- Management accounting
- Completed at least 24 semester hours in business related courses, such as:
- Information systems
- Business law
- Finance
- Economics
- Marketing
- Ethics
- Organizational behavior
- Quantitative applications in business
- Communication skills
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have complete at least 150 total semester hours
- Have completed at least 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours of accounting courses above the introductory level, including at least one course in each of the following subject areas (same as above):
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- Completed at least 24 semester hours in business related courses, such as (same as above):
- Information systems
- Business law
- Finance
- Economics
- Marketing
- Ethics
- Organizational behavior
- Quantitative applications in business
- Communication skills
Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
Be sure to check out this post where I break down the entire CPA Exam application process for you, step-by-step.
The cost to apply and register for all four parts of the CPA Exam in Montana are as follows:
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*Montana‘s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 6 months, so you should only register and pay for the exam section(s) you intend to take within that time. If you need to schedule or re-take any sections beyond your initial NTS window, a $100 re-examination fee plus the associated exam section fees above will apply.
Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
Studying for the CPA Exam is definitely the most challenging and time consuming part of the whole process, so you might as well get a jump start on studying as soon as your fees are submitted.
Not sure which exam section to take first? Check out my post where I break down the pros and cons of each route you can go so you can make the best possible decision: Which section of the CPA Exam should I take first?
By far the most important factor to success on the CPA Exam is sticking to a consistent study schedule and not letting too much time lapse between study sessions.
The CPA Exam is not a test you can just cram for so you’ll want to make sure you space out the material into manageable chunks in a way that fits your schedule.
As long as you schedule things out properly, you won’t have to sacrifice your entire social life for the CPA Exam like some folks say!
You’ll also need to purchase a CPA review course that’s best suited for your study style and budget. I’ve personally tested and examined all of the top review courses out there so you can find the best one for you.
If you still can’t decide which course is best, send me an email and I’ll personally help you!
MT CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Montana Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. The requirements are fairly straightforward:
- You must have a minimum of 1 year and at least 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting and/or auditing experience verified by a licensed CPA.
- Experience will be considered acceptable by the Board if satisfactory evidence is presented of having performed accounting and auditing functions ordinarily required in the practice of public accounting.
- The experience may be in the private, governmental, academic or public accounting areas.
- Experience must be earned within 3 years preceding your application.
Pass the AICPA Ethics Exam
The AICPA Ethics Exam is a self-study course that may be completed any time before, during, or after you sit for the CPA exam so long as it’s completed within 2 years of submitting your CPA license application. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered with a score of 90% or higher. To prepare for it, you’ll receive a 100-page textbook from the AICPA upon registration.
You can take the exam online or via a paper form that you’ll submit through the mail. You’ll have three attempts to pass the exam if you take the online version. After that, you’ll need to complete the exam via the paper / snail-mail route.
The exam and related materials can cost anywhere from $209 – $270, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member or not.
Pro-tip: After completing the exam, be sure to download your certificate of completion. You’ll need to submit it to the Montana State Board as part of your license application.
Get Your CPA License!
Finally! After passing the CPA exam and meeting all of the education and work experience requirements above, you’ll finally be able to apply for your CPA license!
Montana’s application process is fairly straightforward. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll need to complete and submit the following:
- Your CPA license application
- Education transcripts (if necessary*)
- Verification of Experience (as part of application)
- Application fee ($150)
*Your college transcripts provided as part of your CPA exam application will already be on file. You’ll only need to provide additional transcripts if you did not meet the educational requirements for licensure when applying to sit for the CPA Exam (e.g. did not meet the 150-hour rule).
Once you’ve submitted everything noted above, then congratulations! You should be well on your way to getting your CPA license! In case you need any more info about the exam or licensing process, be sure to check out the additional resources I’ve included down below.
Additional Resources and Information
More info on Licensing Process
Contact Information
Montana Board of Public Accountants
Office Address
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
Email: DLIBSDHELP@MT.GOV
Phone: (406) 444-6880 or (406) 841-2244
Additional Organizations
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To learn more about some of the things you’ll need to prepare for the CPA Exam, be sure to check out my detailed reviews of each of the top courses on the market:
