The requirements to become a CPA in Iowa 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 IA 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!
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Iowa
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Iowa.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Iowa 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 IA CPA Education Requirements
Iowa’s requirements to sit for the CPA Exam and get your license are the same, but there are four different paths you may take. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Path 1: Earn a graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
Path 2: Earn a graduate degree in business from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent, with at least 24 semester hours in accounting including courses covering the subjects of
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- Accounting hours shall not include elementary accounting or principles of accounting, internships or life experience
Path 3: Earn a baccalaureate degree in business or accounting from U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent, with at least 24 semester hours in accounting including courses covering the subjects of
-
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- Accounting hours shall not include elementary accounting or principles of accounting, internships or life experience
Path 4: Earn a baccalaureate degree or higher and complete the following hours from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- At least 24 semester hours in accounting courses above elementary accounting or principles of accounting covering the subjects of
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- Accounting hours shall not include elementary accounting or principles of accounting, internships or life experience
- At least 24 additional semester hours in business–related courses.
- Elementary accounting hours that do not qualify in the category above may apply toward business–related courses
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 Iowa are as follows:
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*Iowa’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 $90 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!
IA CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Iowa Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. There are a few paths to meeting the work experience requirement you may choose from:
Path 1: At least 2 years of attest experience in public accounting supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- 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
Path 2: At least 1 year of non-attest experience in non-public accounting supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- 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
Path 3: At least 1 year of teaching experience at a higher education institution supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience shall include teaching a minimum of 24 semester hours of accounting courses for which the course participants receive credit on an official transcript
- All work hours must have been performed over the course of a 1-3 year period
Under either path, qualifying accounting experience is defined as “providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills.”
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 Iowa 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!
Iowa’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 ($100)
*Your college transcripts provided as part of your CPA exam application should already be on file.
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
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Contact Information
Iowa Accountancy Examining Board
Office Address
200 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 350
Des Moines, IA 50309
Email: AccountancyBoard@iowa.gov
Phone: (515) 725-9022 , ext. 2
Fax: (515) 725-9032
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:
