• A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a person who has passed the CPA examination administered by the Association of Certified Public Accountants. This certification exam is the only licensed qualification in accounting, and requirements needed for exam eligibility are set by state statute. CPAs perform services such as taxes, accounting, auditing, personal financial planning, technology consulting and are responsible for areas such as accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance and more.
  
  

Schools

• Educational requirements vary by state, but some elements are universal. You must have a degree from an accredited college or university. In Alabama, for example, the you must have a bachelor's degree from a four-year college, certified by Southern Association of Colleges and Universities. In Illinois you also need a bachelor's degree, but the school must be accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools, the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business or a regional association that's a member of the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
  
  

Acceptable Credits

• An accounting degree involves courses in finance, accounting, business law and other relevant courses. To be eligible to take the exam, you not only need the degree, but in some states, the number of hours of particular courses you must take are part of the state requirements. In Alabama, you need only have a major in accounting or have passed tests, with a grade of 75 or above, covering accounting theory, practical accounting, auditing, commercial law relating to accountancy and . professional ethics. In Illinois, you must take 120 hours of coursework, 27 of which must be in accounting, auditing, and business law, though no more than six hours can be in business law.
  
  

Exam

• The content of the exam involves multiple choice questions, written communications and simulations. The CPA exam covers four sections of accounting practice; Auditing & Attestation, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Regulation, and Business Environment & Concepts. Each tests the skills necessary to practice as a CPA. These skills, as identified by the ACPA, are the ability to communicate orally or in writing, perform research and analysis, and the ability to understand the material and make judgements.