CPA Observation Post

U.S., Hong Kong accounting bodies sign reciprocity deal (via @AccountingToday)

The U.S. International Qualifications Appraisal Board and the Hong Kong Institute of CPAs signed a five-year mutual-recognition agreement to facilitate reciprocity between American and Hong Kong CPAs. The IQAB is a joint endeavor of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the AICPA. Eventually, the deal will lead to U.S. and Hong Kong accountants being allowed to work in both jurisdictions, subject to approval by state boards. Read More>>

NJSCPA Exam Cram blog named one of the "Top 50 Blogs By Accounting Professors, Students and Professionals"

The New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJSCPA) Exam Cram blog was named one of the "Top 50 Blogs By Accounting Professors, Students and Professionals" by The Biz-learner blog. Read More>>

Video: Changes Ahead for the CPA Exam (from @AICPA_JofA)

The CPA exam is undergoing its largest overhaul since moving from paper and pencil to computers. Jan. 1, 2011, will mark the launch of what people behind the exam are calling CBT-e (Computer-Based Testing evolution). Read More>>

Lack of CPA hurt laid-off accounting professional's job search (from @WSJ)

Paul Hansen, 52, of Phoenix, says his lack of a Certified Public Accountant credential hurt his chances of finding another job when he was laid off as director of accounting after 23 years with a beverage wholesaler. Steady promotions at his long-term employer had made him feel as if he didn't need the CPA, but more than a year of joblessness after his layoff told him otherwise, he said. Hansen, who is deciding between two job offers, was until recently among the 4.4 million Americans who have been looking for employment for more than a year. Read More>>

CPA Exam Expert offers Views on How FAR CPA Exam Changes Will Go

Professor Pamela Smith, the KPMG Professor of Accountancy chair at Northern Illinois University, presents video lectures which accurately prepare students to pass the CPA Exam. At present, the FAR section of the Exam the largest in the amount and range of content. In 2011, that amount of content is expected to grow. Read More>>

The CPA Exam: Five Years Later

A look back at the CPA exam considering both the changes in mode of delivery and substance of the material it covers. Read More>>

CPA Exam to Undergo an Evolution (from @AICPA_JofA)

The CPA exam is undergoing its largest overhaul since moving from paper and pencil to computers. Jan. 1, 2011, will mark the launch of what people behind the exam are calling CBT-e (Computer-Based Testing evolution). Read More>>

PARENTEBEARD's Kelly L. Lavish Passes CPA exam

ParenteBeard LLC announced today that Kelly L. Lavish has successfully passed the CPA exam. Ms. Lavish joined the firm in 2009 and received her BS degree in Accounting from The College of New Jersey. She is a Staff Accountant in the small business practice of ParenteBeard's Cherry Hill, NJ office.

AICPA Examinations Team is seeking CPA nominees to serve on CPA Examination panels

When the new Uniform CPA Examination is launched on January 1, 2011, changes in content, format, and structure will be introduced. These changes will require the current passing score to be re-examined. The process to do so will include convening four panels of CPAs – one for each examination section – to prepare the groundwork for the passing score decision by the AICPA Board of Examiners. A new passing score determination is necessary in conjunction with the new examination to ensure that legally defensible CPA Examination pass/fail decisions continue to be made in protection of the public interest.

The AICPA is seeking nominations for passing score panel membership. Nominees should be CPAs who:

• have been licensed for between 3 and 5 years
• have supervised entry-level CPAs during the past year
• have NO affiliation with CPA Examination review courses, and
• are willing to participate in an August 2010 two-day meeting in Chicago, IL at the expense of the AICPA.

The selection of panelists from among qualified nominees will be made to ensure broad representation from all segments of the profession and demographic categories. Panelists will be given training at the August meetings on their responsibilities as panel participants.

Nominations may be submitted online or the forms completed and returned by FAX to 609-671-2922. Or, the names and contact information of nominees may be sent by e-mail to passingscorepanel@aicpa.org. The information collected about nominees will be used only for the purpose of selecting panel participants.

The deadline for submitting nominations is MARCH 31, 2010.

CPA Exam Cram blog makes the Top 50 blogs for accountants

The website www.onlineaccountingcolleges.com recently included the N.J. Society of CPAs' blog, CPA Exam Cram, as one of the Top 50 blogs for accountants. Read More>>