The requirements to become a CPA in Maine 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 ME 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 Maine
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Maine
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Maine.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Maine 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 ME CPA Education Requirements
In Maine 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 completed 15 semester hours in one or more of the topics listed below. At least 3 semester hours must be earned in auditing and attestation services:
- Financial accounting and reporting for business organizations
- Financial accounting and reporting for government and not-for-profit entities
- Auditing and attestation services
- Managerial or cost accounting
- Taxation
- Fraud examination
- Internal controls and risk assessment
- Financial statement analysis
- Accounting research and analysis
- Tax research and analysis
- Accounting information systems
- Ethics relevant to the practice of public accounting
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Have completed at least 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours AND obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in accounting from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have completed 15 semester hours in one or more of the topics listed below. At least 3 semester hours must be earned in auditing and attestation services (same as above):
- Financial accounting and reporting for business organizations
- Financial accounting and reporting for government and not-for-profit entities
- Auditing and attestation services
- Managerial or cost accounting
- Taxation
- Fraud examination
- Internal controls and risk assessment
- Financial statement analysis
- Accounting research and analysis
- Tax research and analysis
- Accounting information systems
- Ethics relevant to the practice of public accounting
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 Maine are as follows:
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*Maine‘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, an $85 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!
ME CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Maine 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 2 years of qualifying accounting experience verified by a licensed CPA.
- Work experience must be earned in the employment of a licensed public accounting firm.
- Your work experience must include the use of accounting or auditing skills, including the issuance of reports on financial statements, and at least one of the following: the provision of management advisory, financial advisory or consulting services; the preparation of tax returns; the furnishing of advice on tax matters; or equivalent activities defined by the Board
- To the extent the your experience is as a revenue agent or in a similar position engaged in the examination of personal and corporate income tax returns for the Bureau of Revenue Services, the applicant receives credit at the rate of 50% toward the experience required by this subsection.
Pass an Ethics Exam?
Good news! Unlike some other states, the Maine 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!
Maine’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 ($56)
*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
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Contact Information
Office Address
Board of Accountancy 35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
Email: accountancy.board@maine.gov
Phone: (207) 624-8672
Fax: (207) 624-8636
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:
