Section 11.55. Experience requirements for CPA certification

(a) General requirements.

(1) A candidate for CPA certification who qualified for the CPA examination based on possession of a bachelor’s degree and completion of 24 semester credits in relevant subjects shall have acquired 3,200 hours of qualifying experience, including a minimum of 800 hours of attest activity, over a period of not less than 24 months.

(2) A candidate for CPA certification who qualified for the CPA examination based on possession of a master’s degree or other postgraduate degree and completion of 24 semester credits in relevant subjects shall have acquired 1,600 hours of qualifying experience, including a minimum 400 hours of attest activity, over a period of not less than 12 months.

(3) A candidate for CPA certification who qualified for the CPA examination based on possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree and completion of 150 semester credits of postsecondary education including 36 semester credits in relevant subjects shall have acquired 1,600 hours of qualifying experience, including a minimum 400 hours of attest activity, over a period of not less than 12 months.

(4) A candidate who initially sat for the CPA examination after January 1, 2000, shall have acquired the qualifying experience required under paragraphs (1)—(3) within 120 months preceding the date of application for CPA certification. A candidate who initially sat for the CPA examination before January 1, 2000, is not subject to any time limitation regarding the acquisition of qualifying experience.

(5) A candidate may not receive credit for more than 1,600 hours of qualifying experience in a 12-month period. A candidate may acquire all hours of qualifying experience in attest activity.

(b) Attest activity. A candidate’s attest activity must be in one or more of the following areas:

(1) Candidates employed in public accounting:

(i) Audits of financial statements in accordance with GAAS, GAGAS or PCAOB.

(ii) Reviews of financial statements in accordance with SSARS.

(iii) Compilations of financial statements with complete disclosure in accordance with SSARS.

(iv) Attestation engagements in accordance with SSAE.

(v) Other auditing in accordance with accepted standards that leads to an expression of a written opinion including:

(A) Reviews regarding internal control.

(B) Operational audits.

(C) Compliance audits.

(D) Expressing an opinion on financial forecasts and projections.

(vi) Training sessions on the attest function completed before January 1, 2008.

(2) Candidates employed in private industry:

(i) Performance of an independent internal audit function.

(ii) Compliance audits of government contracts performed on behalf of a government agency that result in the issuance of an opinion or report.

(iii) Training sessions on the attest function completed before January 1, 2008.

(3) Candidates employed in Federal, State or local government:

(i) Performance of an independent internal audit function.

(ii) Audits performed on behalf of a government audit agency that results in the issuance of an opinion or report.

(iii) Training sessions on the attest function completed before January 1, 2008.

(c) Nonattest activity. A candidate’s nonattest activity must be in one or more of the following areas:

(1) Preparation of income and nonprofit tax returns.

(2) Tax research that is properly documented.

(3) Representation before a government agency on a tax matter.

(4) Financial forecasts, analyses and projections.

(5) Management advisory services that meet AICPA standards.

(6) Management and supervision of accounting functions and preparing financial statements for profit or not-for-profit entities.

(7) Professional accounting-related work in a public accounting firm.

(d) Nonqualifying experience. A candidate will not receive credit for the following types of experience:

(1) Experience that was supervised by an individual who did not meet the requirements of § 11.56 (relating to supervision of experience; verification) at the time the experience was obtained.

(2) Experience acquired while self-employed.

(3) Experience acquired as a partner in a partnership.

(4) Experience comprising nonprofessional work, including recruiting, industrial engineering, administration, bookkeeping and appraisals.

(5) Paraprofessional work that does not comply with subsection (c)(7).

The provisions of this § 11.55 adopted May 7, 1993, effective May 8, 1995, 23 Pa.B. 2231; amended July 27, 2007, effective July 28, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 4055. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (206120) and (272591).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 11.55 amended under section 3(a)(11) and (12) of the CPA Law (63 P. S. § 9.3(a)(11) and (12)).