Utah, with its business-friendly environment and high demand for CPAs, is a great state for aspiring Certified Public Accountants. The Utah Board of Accountancy sets the state's CPA requirements, ensuring CPAs meet high standards of education, experience, and ethics. Here's what you need to know about becoming a CPA in Utah.

Educational Requirements

Candidates must meet the following educational criteria:

• Degree: A baccalaureate degree or higher.

• Credit Hours: 150 semester hours.

• Accounting Coursework:

• 24 semester hours in upper-division and graduate-level accounting courses.

• Business Coursework:

• 24 semester hours in business courses.

Work Experience Requirements

Utah requires:

• Experience: One year (2,000 hours) of full-time accounting experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA.

Ethics Exam

Candidates must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90 or above.

Residency and Citizenship Requirements

• Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years old.

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is not required.

• Residency: No residency requirement in Utah.

Social Security Number Requirement

A Social Security number is required for CPA licensure in Utah.

International CPA Examination Program

Utah participates in this program, allowing international candidates to apply for the CPA Exam. Credentials must be evaluated by an accredited body like NACES.

CPA Exam and Licensing Fees

The fees for the CPA examination and licensing in Utah are:

• Initial Application Fee: $145.00

• Examination Fees (per section):

• AUD: $238.15

• BEC: $238.15

• FAR: $238.15

• REG: $238.15

• Total for all sections: $1,097.60

• Re-Examination Fees: Vary based on the number of sections.

• Initial Licensing Fee: $85

License Renewal

CPA licenses in Utah must be renewed biennially. The renewal fee is $50, provided that candidates meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements

• Total Hours: 80 hours of CPE every two calendar years.

• Ethics: At least three hours of ethical instruction.

• Utah CPA Act and Regulations: At least one hour of instruction.

Conclusion

Becoming a CPA in Utah involves fulfilling educational prerequisites, passing the CPA Exam, completing relevant work experience, adhering to ethical standards, and engaging in ongoing professional development through CPE. Utah's robust economy offers substantial opportunities for CPAs to establish successful careers across various sectors. Continuous learning and adherence to professional standards are key to maintaining CPA licensure and excelling in the accounting profession in Utah.