ing CPA Requirements

Wyoming is home to Yellowstone National Park and has an economy that’s as diverse as the state’s beautiful landscapes. Mining, real estate, manufacturing are its three biggest economic sectors.

According to Ibis World , the Equality State experienced the eighth highest growth rate in employment between 2017-2022. Wyoming is a great place for prospective certified accountants to work.

Wyoming accountants are required to meet experience, education and exam requirements in order to become CPAs. This guide will show you how to become CPAs in Wyoming.

What are the education requirements to become a CPA?

Wyoming has specific education requirements for CPA licensees. While many jurisdictions have similar requirements, certain states have specific education guidelines.

CPA candidates must have a bachelor’s, 24 semester hours of accounting, and 24 semester hours of business. For licensure they need to have completed at least 150 semester hours.

The majority of bachelor’s degrees include 120 semester hours. Candidates will likely need additional classes beyond a bachelor’s degree, which can come from master’s, graduate certificate, or bachelor’s-to-master’s programs. Students enrolled in bachelor’s-to-master’s programs can earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a condensed timeline.

Concentrations, credits, and course acceptance

Candidates must complete specific courses and meet credit requirements to sit for the CPA examination. To complete the CPA exam, each applicant must meet these requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Accounting 24 semester credits
  • Include subjects like taxation or forensic accountancy.
• Business courses – 24 hours (semester)
  • Accounting courses are not considered to be accounting courses
  • Business law, Economics and marketing are all possible subjects.

CPA candidates can earn up to six semester credits for internships in accounting or business. Only internships that are related to the applicant’s major and provide academic credit can be claimed. Students cannot claim credit for life experience courses.

The applicant does not need to have any additional course requirements for licensing. They only need 120 credits for the exam.

Wyoming CPA Experience requirements

CPA candidates do not need to have work experience in order to take the Uniform CPA Exam. To be licensed, however, the Wyoming Board of CPAs requires 2,000 hours of work experience.

The employee must have worked in a role within the government, academia or industry. Experience can be in many areas relevant to the job, such as accounting, taxation or consulting.

A CPA in good standing must attest the candidate’s experience. They can provide equivalent work experience if they don’t have a CPA who is able to attest their experience. They must submit examples that demonstrate they meet Wyoming CPA experience requirements. The WY Board of CPAs evaluates the work to see if it meets its criteria.

The employer must then fill out the affirmation form for each prospective licensee. The Wyoming Board of CPAs receives the completed form from the employer.

CPA Exam Requirements

All CPAs in the United States must pass the Uniform CPA Exam. The criteria for taking the exam and obtaining a CPA licence vary from state to state. This section will explain how to become CPA in Wyoming.

Exam Eligibility

CPA candidates are required to have a bachelor’s in accounting or business and complete 24 semester hours. The CPA exam does not require that candidates take an ethics test, but they must pass the 8-hour Professional Ethics Exam of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to be licensed.

CPA candidates are required to be 18 years of age or older in order to take the CPA examination. Test-takers must also possess a Wyoming driver’s licence, an address, a job or enrolled in school. Examinees are required to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) in order to take the test. They do not have to be U.S. Citizens.

Wyoming will license foreign accounting professionals who hold designations that are equivalent to CPAs. International CPA candidates are required to come from locations offering reciprocity with Wyoming CPAs. They must also hold an active license and meet the same work and educational criteria.

Exam Schedule and Application

All transcripts must be sent to the Wyoming Board of CPAs by CPA candidates. The WY Board of CPAs accepts official transcripts mailed or electronically. The board must receive the transcripts from the institution; students are not allowed to submit sealed transcripts.

The application can be submitted by the candidate. The applicant will need to submit a copy their ID and pay $110 for the exam.

The candidate who is approved will be issued an authorization to test and must pay $226.15 for each exam section within six months. All exam fees are accepted directly by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. You can apply to more than one section at the same time.

Candidates who applied for a section in the past become re-examination applicants. Registration fees for re-exam candidates are $50 less than the original fee, but each test section is still $226.15. Re-exam candidates who have not taken a test in the last three years must submit their transcripts again and pay the original candidate fee.

Individuals receive an Notice to Schedule (NTS) after submitting their application and paying fees. The NTS is issued by NASBA and has a validity of six months. Candidates cannot get a refund after the expiration date. The CPA test must be passed in all four sections within an 18-month rolling period starting from the date the first section was taken.

After passing the Exam

The Wyoming Board of CPAs accepts original certificates applications from CPA candidates who pass the exam. Candidates must submit a Verification of Lawful Presence form along with proof of experience and an AICPA Ethics Exam Certificate of Completion.

The board can also ask for transcripts. The Wyoming Board of CPAs provides a free online search to confirm CPA licenses .

Maintaining your license with the Wyoming Board of CPAs

Wyoming CPAs must renew their licenses annually by December 31. Candidates can re-enroll in their licenses online beginning Oct. 1 each year. Wyoming Board of CPAs also will send an email reminder before October 1.

Holders of expired certificates can also apply to be inactive. CPAs inactive who want to become active CPAs can apply to the board. Non-CPAs and expired license holders can still own shares in CPA firms if they hold the majority of ownership.

Wyoming certificate holders must complete 120 continuing education hours (CPE) every three years. The board requires that every three years, CPAs complete four hours of ethics and regulatory courses. CPAs are required to submit proof of CPE courses online to the Board. All license holders must submit proof of CPE completion.

CPAs in other states may apply for a Wyoming CPA License under reciprocity. Reciprocity can be obtained in several ways, such as holding a CPA licence from a state that is substantially similar or by submitting your personal experience and educational qualifications to the board.

Wyoming CPAs are eligible to join the Wyoming Society of Certified Public Accountants. The WYOCPA was founded in 1921 and offers CPE courses, networking events, and other services.

Wyoming Accountants: Questions and Answers

How can I become a CPA?

Wyoming CPA requirements have separate criteria for taking the CPA test and obtaining licensure. Wyoming CPAs can be licensed after they have completed the requirements for education, experience and exam.

Who is eligible to take the Wyoming CPA exam?

Wyoming accountants who want to take the CPA test must hold a bachelor’s and meet all the education requirements. The applicant must be 18 years of age, have a SSN, and live, work, or study in Wyoming.

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

The time it takes for an individual to become a CPA in Wyoming is determined by their educational and work experience. The education required can be completed in six years, plus an additional year’s experience. This could take seven years or longer.

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

Wyoming’s CPA certification is no more difficult to obtain than in other states. Licensees must pass the CPA examination, have a year of experience and 150 semester-hours of education.

The article Wyoming CPA requirements first appeared on Accounting.com.

Author: Emily Kelso