If you’re an accountant in Indiana looking to advance your career, becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an excellent way to do so. A CPA license not only increases your professional credibility but also opens up a world of opportunities for career advancement and higher income. However, the process of becoming a CPA can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the requirements and procedures specific to Indiana. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to becoming a CPA in Indiana, including the education and experience requirements, the application process, and the CPA exam. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it takes to become a licensed CPA in Indiana and be one step closer to achieving your career goals.
Indiana Accounting
Accountants in Indiana will tell you that the work is more thrilling when they deal with large numbers. In a more practical sense, there are more jobs for well-trained CPAs in states with solid economic growth. The Hoosier State holds its own in this department.
Here is some good news for licensed CPAs in Indiana: A recent report from the Indiana Business Review states that Indiana is well-poised for steady economic growth in the coming years.
Like many states, Indiana’s economy is partly driven by the surge in healthcare spending in the United States. That surge reflects a national trend. The home of Anthem Healthcare shows it even more noticeable. Anthem is a Fortune 500 company thriving as the largest for-profit managed healthcare organization in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association. They have an army of skilled CPAs within the company.
Corporations like these have billions in revenue. They need a lot of accounting talent to get everything to even out. Operating in the healthcare insurance industry means dealing with additional regulations. Indiana CPAs provide financial analysis, internal audits, and plan evaluations. These skills are all in high demand.
Here are the Steps to Become a CPA in Indiana:
- Getting Your CPA Education in Indiana.
- Taking the Uniform CPA Exam in Indiana.
- Gaining the Needed Experience in Indiana.
- Getting Your CPA License and Continuing Education in Indiana.
Getting Your CPA Education in Indiana
Begin meeting your CPA requirements in Indiana by requesting information from schools in Indiana that feature accounting degrees. The Indiana Board of Accountancy requires all certified public accountants operating in the state to hold an undergraduate degree at minimum and 150 college credit hours.
A typical bachelor’s degree in accounting consists of 120 semester hours. Earning a post-baccalaureate certificate or Master’s in Accounting is how to get those 30 additional credits. This is critical on your road to become a CPA in Indiana.
Many degree programs offer online coursework. You can even find specialized five-year CPA track programs online. They combine a bachelor’s and master’s curriculum. You can get the 150 semester hours needed to meet CPA requirements in Indiana.
The Indiana Board of Accountancy recognizes all accounting and business degrees and credits granted by qualifying universities in the United States. These schools hold standard accreditation through some regional accreditors sanctioned by the Department of Education.
What are Some Excellent Accounting Degrees Available in Indiana?
The University of Notre Dame is an intelligent choice for Indiana students interested in a degree in accounting. Notre Dame is a famous private university situated in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Indiana. It continually ranks as one of the top schools nationwide.
Hundreds of business students have recently graduated with an accounting degree at Notre Dame. Degree recipients from the accounting major at the University of Notre Dame make thousands more than the average college graduate in this field after graduation.
Purdue University is an excellent option for students pursuing an accounting degree. It is in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue is a public university with a substantial student population. The University has a strong reputation for academic quality.
Indiana University is another excellent option for accounting students ready for a degree in the field. The Kelley Business School is found on campus in the small city of Bloomington, Indiana. Some business students at Indiana University pursue their bachelor’s degree in accounting. Graduate students earn an MBA with an emphasis in accounting. The additional hours of a master’s program let a college student acquire the thirty hours needed for the CPA education requirement.
You may want a Master’s in Accounting from any of these top Indiana schools. Consider pursuing an online degree if you live outside of Indiana. You will find excellent programs allowing you to complete all program requirements from home or office. These Master’s in Accounting programs are entirely online with zero campus visits.
Are you interested in the discipline of accounting? Specializing in a specific field is a solid idea. Opportunities exist in Indiana for controllers, information systems auditors, internal auditors, financial business analysts, business valuators, and financial reporters. Look for an online Master’s in Accounting that features various concentrations.
Taking the Uniform CPA Exam in Indiana
First, you earn 150 semester hours of college credit, including an undergraduate degree. You are now eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA exam in Indiana.
To prepare for the exam, it’s essential to invest in a comprehensive study program, such as a review course or study materials, to ensure you’re adequately prepared for the exam’s difficulty. It’s also important to create a study plan and stick to it, allowing yourself enough time to cover all the necessary material thoroughly.
Begin the exam process by signing into CPA Examination Services (CPAES). You can register online or download the included application forms. Forward the needed documentation with the Uniform CPA Exam application. You can base the route on your college status:
Are you still attending college?
Get your college to submit official transcripts showing completion of required semester hours and an undergraduate degree. You can also get your business school to submit a completed Certificate of Enrollment form. Please complete the form’s top part yourself and give it to a college official. They must also sign and mail it to the Board.
Remember to submit an ADA Accommodation Form if needing any disability testing accommodations. Candidates can submit their application fee through a credit card, certified check, or money order.
Have you already graduated college?
You will request that your college submit an official transcript. Submit ADA Accommodation Form if needing any disability testing accommodations. Application fees are sent via credit card, certified check, or money order.
You will receive the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s (NASBA) Notice to Schedule (NTS). Log into the Prometric website and schedule your exam at an Indiana testing location. Indiana testing centers include:
| Indianapolis | Evansville | Merrillville |
| Mishawaka | Terre Haut | Lafayette |
Arrive at your chosen testing site on test day, ready for the exam. You get four hours for each of the four test sections. You will receive exam scores by mail once they have been tabulated.
It’s crucial to remain calm and focused during the exam and use your time wisely. The CPA Exam is challenging, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can pass and achieve your goal of becoming a licensed CPA in Indiana.
Gaining the Needed Experience in Indiana
The Indiana Board of Accountancy expects practicing CPAs in the state to have fulfilled their work experience requirements before getting licensed.
Many business schools feature career centers that assist accounting students in meeting state requirements. Qualifying experience must include two years of full-time accounting employment in one of the qualifying positions:
- You can be an accounting employee or an accounting intern at a public accounting firm.
- Working as a financial or accounting employee in an industry, nonprofit, or government organization qualifies you for the needed experience.
- Employees providing consulting or advisory services qualify as well. Experience must be in operational, accounting, or financial areas.
- You can be an instructor teaching accounting within a four-year college or university. Candidates can teach accounting in a private or public school.
Different experiences can be combined to equal a total of two years. Part-time employment is converted to full-time employment to calculate credit. Clerical duties do not count towards fulfilling experience requirements. Licensed CPAs verify all experience. Applicants need their verifying CPA to complete the Verification of Experience Form. They sign and notarize the document.
Getting Your CPA License and Continuing Education in Indiana
After completing the first three steps, you are ready to apply for your Indiana CPA Certificate. The next step is to get licensed to practice in Indiana. Below is a checklist to make sure you have completed each step:
| Complete 150 semester hours of college credits and earn at least an undergraduate degree. | ✔ |
| Submit your official college transcript to CPAES. | ✔ |
| Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam. | ✔ |
| Complete twenty-four months of accounting employment experience. | ✔ |
| Have a verifying CPA complete the Certified Public Accountant Verification of Experience form and submit it to the Board. | ✔ |
It is time to apply for an Indiana CPA Certificate. You do this by completing Parts I and II of the Accountancy Application. Both sections are found online. Make sure all supporting documents have been sent.
The Indiana Board of Accountancy requires current CPAs to complete continuing professional education requirements to maintain licensure. CPAs must fulfill 120 hours of CPE every three years. Twenty hours of CPE must be taken annually. Twelve hours of one’s total CPE hours must be in accounting and auditing courses. Four CPE hours every three years are in accounting ethics. Indiana CPAs must have at least half of their total CPE hours derived from self-study. Fifty minutes of class time equals an hour of CPE.
Indiana CPAs can enroll in continuing education programs. Approved organizations sponsor these programs. The U.S. Department of Education, the Council on Post-Secondary Education, and colleges or universities accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Education qualify as relevant organizations.
Becoming a CPA in Indiana
Your work has paid off, and you are a licensed, certified public accountant in Indiana. It’s time to consider joining the Indiana CPA Society. This local professional organization offers networking opportunities, continuing education opportunities, and professional guidance.
Indiana has many opportunities for new CPAs. Many CPAs work in government, banking, utilities, and manufacturing facilities. Ready to get started on your path to licensure? Visit the Indiana Board of Accountancy website for more information.
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