to become a CPA/Kansas //

Kansas is historically known as a powerhouse in agriculture, but it also has a modern economy that is diverse. Kansas Department of Commerce lists advanced manufacturing, logistics, distribution, corporate and professional services, as well as other industries, among the state’s leading industries. Certified Public Accountants perform vital work in these and other sectors of the state.

Kansas has two levels of licensing. Accountants must first become certified to be eligible for full licensure. CPA candidates must also be residents of Kansas. In Kansas , you can earn your accounting degree.

This resource provides information to accountants who are pursuing CPA certification in Kansas. This resource covers how to become CPA in Kansas as well as details about license renewal, CPE, and more.

The Education Requirements to Become a CPA In Kansas

To qualify for the Unified CPA Examination, and CPA licensing, students must meet certain education requirements. These requirements differ by state.

Kansas, like other states in the U.S., requires that a CPA candidate have 150 college credit hours and a Bachelor’s degree before they can obtain a license. Bachelor’s degree programs typically cover 120 credits. CPA candidates will need to earn an additional 30 credits.

Kansas, unlike many other states requires that candidates meet the requirement of 150 credits before they can sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. As such, students may want to consider an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s accounting program. Unlike most standard bachelor’s programs, bachelor’s-to-master’s accounting degrees fulfill all CPA education requirements.

Credits, Concentrations and Course Acceptance

The Kansas Board of Accountancy defines an accounting concentration as: The degree must include an accounting concentration. According to the Kansas Board of Accountancy, this means:

• A minimum of 42 semester hours (63quarter hours) in business and general education.
• Accounting coursework of at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours
• Communication courses: At least 11 semester-hours (16.5 quarter-hours)

There are specific requirements for each of the three categories. The 42 semester-hours of business education must include the following:

• Two courses in Business Law
• One course each in macroeconomics and Microeconomics. At least one of these courses must be a higher-division class.
• One course on applications of Information Systems
• Mathematical courses in algebra, statistics and probability theory
• Business courses in finance, marketing and management, business operations, production or quantitative analysis

The 30 semester-hours of accounting coursework must include:

• Intermediate or Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Non-introductory managerial Accounting
• Accounting Information Systems for Non-Introductory Users
• Auditing
• Taxation

Both oral and written communication is required for the 11 semester hours of communications courses.

Kansas Experience Requirements

Candidates must consider the experience requirements of Kansas when deciding how to become CPAs. Kansas does not require work experience for you to take the CPA examination, but it will be required to meet certain experience requirements in order to receive full licensure.

Aspiring CPAs are required to have at least one year of experience. One year of work experience is defined by the Kansas Board of Accountancy as:

• Full-time or part-time work in the public accounting profession, academia, government or private industry
• Minimum 2,000 hours in accounting, auditing or consulting services
• The employment period must be at least one year, but not more than three years.

Kansas is a state with two levels of licensure. Emerging accountants are awarded a CPA certification upon passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

Kansas requires that aspiring CPAs obtain their required experience after certification. Certified CPAs can apply for full licensure once they have met the experience requirements. The Kansas CPA license that is full and unencumbered is also called a “permit for practice.”

CPA Exam Requirements

In all states, the Uniform CPA Exam is identical. It consists of four sections. The eligibility and application requirements vary from state to state. CPA standards in Kansas are covered below.

Exam Eligibility

Most states will allow you to take the CPA test if you have a bachelor’s degree. This usually covers 120 credits. Kansas, however, requires that CPA examinees have 150 credits within 60 calendar days of taking the Uniform CPA Exam.

You must also submit any supporting documents requested by CPA Examination Services of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. CPAES will not accept your scores if they do not receive the required documentation within 120 calendar days from the date that you took your first CPA section.

Kansas requires that examinees pass the Professional Ethics Examination of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. To obtain second-tier CPA certification, additional ethics coursework is not necessary.

It is not necessary to be an American citizen to take the CPA examination in Kansas. You must have a U.S. social security number and Kansas residency in order to qualify.

Exam Schedule and Application

The NASBA portal in Kansas allows you to apply for the CPA examination. This process involves the following steps:

• Create a NASBA account.
• Pay the fees and register your candidacy online.
• Send the required application documents to NASBA.

Documentation is required to prove that you have met the requirements for education and residency. The primary way to verify your education is through your academic transcripts.

Transcripts must adhere to the following rules:

• Transcripts of all your postsecondary education are required. Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions must be official, and they should indicate your degree.
• You or your institution may submit physical transcripts, but they must be sealed.
• Only educational institutions can electronically submit transcripts.
• The transcripts must be typed or printed.

You will receive a Schedule Notification if NASBA accepts the application. You will then select the section and date of the exam you want to take.

The CPA exam can be taken in any order. You don’t have to take all the sections at once. You must, however, pass all four sections in 18 months after you have taken the first section.

From April 2023 onwards, the following fees are nonrefundable:

• $170 application fee
• $85 registration fee
• Exam fee: $238.15 per section

After passing the Exam

The credit for the sections that you pass is valid for a period of 18 months. You will be a Kansas certified CPA if you pass the four sections of Uniform CPA Examination in 18 months. The fee for issuing a replacement or original certificate cannot exceed $50.

Kansas has a two-tier system, whereby certification is required before licensure. Aspiring CPAs begin to accumulate their experience once they have earned certification. After meeting the experience requirement, these individuals can apply for full licensing.

Kansas State Board of Accountancy allows you to verify your license status for clients, employers and other professionals. To process verification requests, the board uses NASBA’s CPA Verify Service.

Maintaining your Licensure

Kansas CPA licenses expire every 2 years. Kansas CPAs renewing their licenses by July 1 must show proof that they have completed 80 CPE hours in each of the two-year periods. CPE hours must include accounting, auditing and ethics or other areas of professional practice.

It is possible that first-time licensees are not required to complete all 80 hours. Kansas Board of Accountancy will assign you a prorated number of CPE (continuing professional education) hours when you get your first permit to practice.

You will have to comply with the reciprocity requirements of your destination state if you are a CPA licensed in Kansas. CPAs who move from another jurisdiction to Kansas may apply for reciprocity with the Kansas Board of Accountancy. can be used to request an evaluation.

According to Kansas law, CPAs and non-CPAs can both own shares in CPA firms. Multiple technicalities apply. The firm, for example, must be owned by CPAs licensed in Kansas or another state.

Question about CPAs in Kansas

How can I become a CPA?

Kansas CPA core requirements include a Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting, 150 college credits, and one work year. Candidates must pass both the Uniform CPA Examination (UCPA) and AICPA’s ethics examination.

Who is eligible to take the Kansas CPA exam?

Kansas’ education requirements are what you need to meet in order to be eligible for the Uniform CPA Examination. The state’s education requirements include a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in accounting and 150 college credit hours.

How long does it usually take to become a CPA in Kansas?

Kansas education requirements are usually met in five years full-time studies. CPA candidates have between 1-3 years to accumulate 2,000 hours of experience. The CPA journey is usually 6-8 years long in Kansas.

How difficult is it to get a CPA’s license in Kansas?

Kansas has a two-tier licensing system. This includes an additional step. You must first pass the Uniform CPA Examination to obtain CPA certification. You must then have one year’s experience to qualify for a license. Kansas requires that candidates possess all 150 credit hours to be eligible for the Uniform CPA Examination, but other than that its requirements are similar to those of most states.

What is the CPE requirement for a CPA?

To renew their license, a CPA must complete 80 hours of CPE in every two years. First-time licensees might have lower requirements. Kansas State Board of Accountancy specifies your initial requirements when issuing initial licensure.

The post How To Become A CPA In Kansas first appeared on Accounting.com.

Author: Alaina McCartney