Become a CPA – Future CPAs

From Study to Success: The CPA Journey

How do I become a CPA?

The CPA licensure process has several steps, but don’t worry! We are here to help make sure your journey to becoming a CPA is as smooth and successful as possible. From understanding the educational requirements to passing the CPA exam and gaining the necessary work experience, we provide comprehensive support and resources at each stage. You can do this, and you have a powerful team behind you every step of the way, offering guidance, encouragement, and expertise to help you achieve your professional goals. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities and celebrate your milestones, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident in your path to licensure.

Get Your Education

The South Carolina Board of Accountancy requires all CPA applicants to hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university and 150 total semester hours of acceptable college-level coursework in accounting to earn a CPA license. These hours must include at least 24 semester hours in upper-level accounting courses and 24 semester hours in business-related courses.

With the standard bachelor’s degree in accounting consisting of just 120 semester hours, going on to earn a post-baccalaureate certificate or Master’s in accounting represents the most tried and tested way to get those 30 additional credits. You can also find specialized five-year CPA track programs that offer a blended bachelor’s and master’s curriculum designed to give you the 150 semester hours you need to meet CPA requirements in South Carolina.

SCACPA can help with your tuition costs. The SCACPA Educational Fund awards scholarships to future CPAs like you every year. Scholarship amounts usually range from $500 to $2,500. The number to be awarded each year depends upon the qualifications of the applicants and available funds >> Find out more.

Pass the Uniform CPA Exam

South Carolina CPA candidates who have earned at least 120 semester hours of credit, including 24 semester hours of accounting courses and 24 semester hours of business courses, may apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam.

Get the Work Experience

The South Carolina Board of Accountancy requires all CPAs to fulfill prerequisites for practical work experience before approving a candidate for licensure. The good news is that South Carolina’s work experience requirements are more approachable than most states and allow qualifying part-time and volunteer work. You need one year (2,000 hours) of public accounting experience supervised and verified by an active South Carolina CPA or five years of teaching accounting.

Pass the Ethics Exam

Before continuing with the licensure process, take and pass “Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course,” a home-study course on professional ethics. You must earn a score of 90 or above and attach a copy of your certificate of completion to your licensing application.

Apply for Licensure

You did it! You checked all the boxes, and it’s time to apply for your CPA license! Once you get everything in order and sent to the South Carolina State Board of Accountancy, you’re good to go! To celebrate your accomplishment, we will invite you to an official New CPA Oath Ceremony, where you will celebrate alongside your peers!

Confirm you have satisfied the following eligibility requirements for licensure:

Completed 150 semester hours of college credits and earned, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree.
Passed all portions of the Uniform CPA Exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Have your college mail your official transcript to the South Carolina Board of Accountancy at P.O. Box 11329; Columbia, SC 29211-1369.
Submitted your certificate of completion from the professional ethics course to the Board.
Complied with the Board’s experiential requirement of one year of public accountancy experience (2,000 hours) or five years of experience teaching accounting. Complete the Certification of Experience form, have your supervising CPA sign it, and mail it to the Board.
Apply for your license via the Licensing Application After Exam form and mail your application and supporting documentation directly to the Board (address above).

You did it! You are a CPA!

Well done! You are now a CPA in South Carolina! We can’t wait to celebrate with you! The SC Board of Accountancy and SCACPA sponsor two New CPA Oath Ceremonies every year where you receive your certificate and take pride in your accomplishment alongside your peers. Get ready for all the recognition and opportunities to come because of your incredible accomplishment and those three letters you can now put behind your name.

CPA Exam

Obtaining your CPA license can open the door to more promotions and managerial opportunities. On average, CPAs earn 15% more in salary than accounting graduates. CPA is the gold standard among accounting professionals and is highly desired by employers. There is a tremendous demand for accounting, tax, and assurance services. Technology has made performing all the traditional accounting services easier and enabled new, more valuable, and interesting new services. Candidates must pass all three core sections and one discipline on the CPA Exam.

Taking the Exam

120 Credit Hours to sit for the exam
- 24 semester credit hours of accounting courses
- 24 semester credit hours of business courses

Earning the License

150 total semester hours
Pass the Uniform CPA Examination
One year of work experience
Good moral character

Core Sections

The Audit & Attestation section of the exam covers planning engagement, internal controls, obtaining document information, reviewing and evaluating information, and communications.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 78
Task-based Simulations: 7

The Financial Accounting & Reporting section of the exam covers Financial statements, types of transactions, governmental accounting, and not-for-profit accounting.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 50
Task-based Simulations: 7

The Regulation section of the exam covers federal taxation, business law, ethics, and professional responsibility.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 72
Task-based Simulations: 8

Disciplines

The BAR discipline focuses on assurance, financial statement analysis and reporting, and technical accounting. The content of the discipline includes a focus on data analysis and assesses topics such as financial risk management and planning techniques.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 50
Task-based Simulations: 7

This discipline focuses on technology and business controls. It is designed for candidates interested in assurance or advisory services related to business processes, information systems, information security, and IT audits.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 82
Task-based Simulations: 6

The TCP discipline includes taxation topics involving more advanced individual and entity tax compliance. Candidates interested in personal financial planning, entity planning, inclusions in gross income, and taxation compliance should take this discipline.

Section Time: 4 Hours
Multiple Choice Questions: 68
Task-based Simulations: 7