The requirements to become a CPA in Arkansas 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 AR 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 Arkansas
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Arkansas
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Arkansas.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Arkansas 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 AR CPA Education Requirements
In Arkansas you need at least 150 semester hours to get your CPA license but only 120 semester hours 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 120 semester (or 180 quarter) hours AND obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in accounting from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have at least 30 upper level semester hours (or 20 graduate semester hours) in accounting courses, including
- Financial accounting (Intermediate accounting)
- Management accounting (cost accounting)
- Governmental and not-for-profit accounting (Institutional accounting)
- Federal taxation (Advanced Income Tax or Fundamentals of Taxation)
- Auditing and attestation
- Accounting information systems
- Have at least 30 semester hours of undergrad courses (or 20 graduate semester hours)in business courses other than accounting
- Must receive a grade of “C” or higher on all Accounting and Business courses
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
In addition to the requirements above, you’ll need to complete at least 150 semester hours to obtain your CPA license in AR.
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 Arkansas are as follows:
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*Arkansas‘ 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 scaled re-examination fee ($75, $90, $105 or $120 for 1, 2, 3, or 4 sections, respectively) 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!
AR CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Arkansas Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have at least 1 year of experience in accounting supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- Experience may be in public accounting, industry, government, academia or any combination of these
- All work hours must have been performed over the course of a 1-3 year period and shall include no less than 2,000 hours
Qualifying accounting experience is defined as “providing any type of services or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills”.
Pass an Ethics Exam?
Good news! Unlike some other states, the Arkansas Board doesn’t require you to complete an ethics course prior to obtaining your CPA license! You may have to complete one as part of your annual CPE requirements once you’re licensed though, but you can worry about that later :).
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!
Arkansas’ 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)
- Criminal Offender Record Information form
- Application fee ($50)
*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 full educational requirements for licensure when applying to sit for the CPA Exam (e.g. did not have 150 hours).
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 Application Process
Accountancy Board Laws and Rules
Contact Information
Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy
Office Address
900 W. Capitol Ave, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201-3108
Email: ASBPA@arkansas.gov
Phone: (501) 682-1520
Fax: (501) 682-5538
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:
