...CONTENT AND SKILL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE UNIFORM CPA EXAMINATION Approved by the Board of Examiners American Institute of Certified Public Accountants May 15, 2009 Effective Date: January 1, 2011 Board of Examiners Examinations Team American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Parkway Corporate Center 1230 Parkway Avenue, Suite 311 Ewing, NJ 08628-3018 COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, INC. CONTENT SPECIFICATION OUTLINES (CSOs) The outline portions of the content specifications identify the extent of the technical content to be tested on each of the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. The outlines list the areas, groups, and topics to be tested in the following manner: I. (Roman numeral) Area A. (Capital letter) Group 1. (Arabic numeral) Topic Each outline is followed by information about selected publications that candidates may study to prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination. Weights The percentage range following each area represents the approximate percentage of total test questions associated with the area. The ranges are designed to provide flexibility in building the examination, and the midpoints of the ranges for all areas in each section total 100%. The examination questions will be selected from each area to fall within the percentage allocation range. No percentages are given for groups or topics. The presence of several groups within an area or several topics within a group does not imply equal...
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...THE UNIFORM TEXAS CPA EXAMINATION: REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS Prepared for Dr. Newman by Stefanie Chen October 19, 2015 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………..ii INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………........1 REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR AND SIT FOR THE TEXAS CPA EXAM…….............1 Moral character………………………………………………………………………….1 Degrees&150 hours…………………………………………………………………......2 Accounting, business, and ethics courses…………………………………………….....2 FOUR SECTIONS AND TEST STRUCTURES………………………………………….........5 Coverage and structure………………………………………………………………….5 THE RULES, TESTING WINDOWS, AND SITES……………………………………...........6 Rules…………………………………………………………………………………….6 Testing window………………………………………………………………………….6 Testing center……………………………………………………………………………6 PREPARE FOR AND TAKE THE UNIFORM CPA Exam…………………………………….7 Courses and options……………………………………………………………………...8 Taking the Uniform CPA Exam under rules…………………………………………….9 Receiving scores…………………………………………………………………………9 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR TEXAS CPA…………………………………...........10 Submit a licensure application…………………………………………………………10 Ethics exam……………………………………………………………………………..10 Work experience in Texas……………………………………………………………...10 BENEFITS TO BECOME A TEXAS CPA…………………………………………………..11 CONCLUSIONS……………………………………………………………………………….11 WORKS CITED…………………………………………………………………………….....11 EXHIBITS AND NOTES……………………………………………………………………...12 APPENDIXES…………………………………………………………………………………17 Appendix 1-Application of Intent…………………………………………………...
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...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0268-6902.htm An empirical comparison of non-Big 4 and Big 4 auditors’ perceptions of auditor independence Non-Big 4 and Big 4 auditors’ perceptions 917 Philip Law Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau Abstract Purpose – Perceived independence is one of the corner-stones in auditing theory. Despite prior research on auditor independence, the results are inconclusive. The lack of research in the Hong Kong ´ˆ auditing environment motivates this study, particularly following the Enron debacle. The purpose of this paper is to examine the non-audit services (NASs), competition, rank and types of auditors, in respect of the independence problem as it relates to the practices of Hong Kong auditors in the post-Enron environment. Design/methodology/approach – Four independent variables identified from literature gaps are examined, namely NASs, levels of competition, auditors of different ranks and types of auditors. Mixed ANOVA are employed to analyze survey responses from 207 “Big 4” and 185 “non-Big 4” auditors. Findings – Results of the study show that the provisions of NASs and high competition could have a negative influence on auditors’ perceptions of independence. Second, auditors’ perceptions that the influence of NASs on independence depends on an individual auditor’s rank are supported. Senior managers...
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...Attribution and Dynamics in Online Advertising Pavel Kireyev Koen Pauwels Sunil Gupta1 February 9, 2013 Pavel Kireyev is a Ph.D. student and Sunil Gupta is the Edward Carter Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, and Koen Pauwels is Professor at Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey. 1 Do Display Ads Influence Search? Attribution and Dynamics in Online Advertising Abstract As firms increasingly rely on online media to acquire consumers, marketing managers feel comfortable justifying higher online marketing spend by referring to online metrics such as click‐through rate (CTR) and cost per acquisition (CPA). However, these standard online advertising metrics are plagued with attribution problems and do not account for dynamics. These issues can easily lead firms to overspend on some actions and thus waste money, and/or underspend in others, leaving money on the table. We develop a multivariate time series model to investigate the interaction between paid search and display ads, and calibrate the model using data from a large commercial bank that uses online ads to acquire new checking account customers. We find that display ads significantly increase search conversion. Both search and display ads also exhibit significant...
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...But, business sustainability depends on its financial performance and the people governing the business. And to measure whether companies are capable of handling potentially unexpected corporate risks, companies’ accounting transactions are reported through financial statements. These financial statements are the masterpieces of accountants who analyze the transactions and measure the financial stability of the company if they are sustainable enough to defray any business risks. However, in presenting these statements, some accountants may mislead owners or decision makers through financial mistatements which affect the business itself. Because of this accounting malpractice, it may cause to a major problem that will put CPAs into grave misconduct such as allegation of fraud and engangement in corporate accounting scandals. Accounting malpractice are affecting the businesses globally. It decays the economy of the country and slowly creeps into different industry until they are no longer outlive in the business world. In fact, the Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse in Asia-Pacific Region led by Wells (2010) found out that the Asia Pacific median has a loss that was significantly higher than the global median loss of $160,000 because of accounting malpractices. This report also added that 338 fraud cases that has been found on that Asia-pacific region wherein China has the most number of fraud cases and followed by India, Australia, Indonesia and United Arab...
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...expectation gap. You will also study issues related to the economics of auditing and their impact on auditor motivation and standard-setting; in the process, you will consider different perspectives on protecting the public interest and the public accountant’s role in helping to advance the profession. The various topics integrate information sources related to research in the field and readings from the Ethics Readings Handbook (ERH) , drawing on concepts from your prerequisite accounting theory course. In AU2 , you will study a wide variety of technical, practical, and theoretical material. This module lays the foundation for exploring some of the more difficult areas of professional judgment you will encounter as you progress through the course. When faced with issues that challenge your professional judgment, you are encouraged to think back to the concepts studied in this module to help frame your decision making. Please be sure that you have purchased the CPA Canada Handbook, CGA Student Edition mentioned in the course introduction, as it is required for AU2 . You are responsible for reading the paragraphs from the CPA Canada Handbook as referenced in the course module notes. The expectation of a professional is to be able to research material using the CPA Canada Handbook and to interpret it at a level in keeping with the expectations of an Advanced External Auditing course. Test your knowledge Begin your work on this module with a set...
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...CHAPTER 1 ACCOUNTING: INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING OVERVIEW OF BRIEF EXERCISES, EXERCISES, AND CRITICAL THINKING CASES Brief Exercises B. Ex. 1.1 B. Ex. 1.2 B. Ex. 1.3 B. Ex. 1.4 B. Ex. 1.5 B. Ex. 1.6 B. Ex. 1.7 B. Ex. 1.8 B. Ex. 1.9 B. Ex. 1.10 Learning Objectives 1, 3, 5 2, 5 3, 4 5, 6 1, 3, 5, 6 5, 6 2, 5, 6 7, 8 5, 7 1 Topic Users of accounting information Components of internal control Inexact or approximate measures Standards for the preparation of accounting information FASB conceptual framework PCAOB COSO Professional certifications in accounting AICPA code of professional conduct Personal benefits of accounting skills Skills Analysis Analysis Analysis, judgment Analysis Analysis Analysis, research Analysis, ethics Analysis Analysis, ethics Analysis Exercises 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Topic You as a user of accounting information Real World: Boeing Company, California Public Employees Retirement System, China Airlines Users of accounting information What is financial reporting? Generally accepted accounting principles Accounting organizations Investment return Accounting terminology Accounting organizations Financial and management accounting Management accounting information Accounting organizations Purpose of an audit Audits of financial statements Ethics and professional judgment Careers in accounting Home Depot, Inc. general information Learning Objectives Skills 1 Analysis, judgment 3, 4 Analysis...
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...Examination for Accountant Adrian Tamayo, PhD Research and Publication Center University of Mindanao Esterlina Gevera Dean, College of Accounting Education University of Mindanao Lord Eddie Aguilar Faculty, College of Accounting Education University of Mindanao Abstract The paper employed a simulation model to determine probability of passing the CPA licensure exam. The predictor variables of the study were GPA, pre-review grade, and the subject clusters of the exam. The study covered periods 2007-2011. It was noted that the performance of the Accounting Education for the period covered was found to be impressive. Pre-review and the GPA have high statistical influence in passing the board exam. The threshold GPA is 2.2 while 2.4 for the prereview. Of the subject clusters in the board exam, accounting problems have the highest impact in the actual board score followed by theory of accounts, management services, practical accounting problems 2, practical accounting problems 1 and the least yet still bear impact is the business law and taxation. The collegiate validation exam used as indicator of readiness showed statistical association with the actual exam. A simulated model revealed that the scores of management and services, auditing problems, audit theory, business law and taxation and accounting problems 1 have strong board outcome effects. The theory of accounts and accounting problems 2 showed no statistical significance. Keywords: Accounting education, intervention measures, maximum...
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...1 Financial Reporting Overview Chapter 1 is an overview chapter covering accounting users, financial reporting, GAAP, accounting organizations, the conceptual framework, accounting careers, and ethics. The topics are wide ranging and very heavy on the new terminology side of things. Although it is a good chapter for introductory purposes, the concepts and organizations covered are so extensive that it will make a good chapter to come back to later, or at the end of intermediate accounting, to review. In fact, many parts of the chapter will make more sense and come together in your mind better only after you have dealt with specific details and examples in later chapters. Focus mostly on the terminology at this point in time. Making sense of it all will be easier later on. The final section on accounting careers and ethics may make for some interesting reading, but don’t expect to be tested much on it. The conceptual framework will probably get the bulk of the examination questions, both for this class and for the CPA exam. As such, understanding Exhibit 1-5 in the textbook is very important. Learning Objectives Refer to the Review of Learning Objectives at the end of the chapter. It is crucial that this section of the chapter is second nature to you before you attempt the homework, a quiz, or exam. This important piece of the chapter serves as your CliffsNotes or “cheat sheet” to the basic concepts and principles that must be mastered. If after reading...
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...CHAPTER 1 ACCOUNTING: INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING OVERVIEW OF BRIEF EXERCISES, EXERCISES AND CRITICAL THINKING CASES Brief Exercises B. Ex. 1.1 B. Ex. 1.2 B. Ex. 1.3 B. Ex. 1.4 B. Ex. 1.5 B. Ex. 1.6 B. Ex. 1.7 B. Ex. 1.8 B. Ex. 1.9 B. Ex. 1.10 Learning Objectives 1, 3, 5 2,5 3,4 5,6 1, 3, 5, 6 5, 6 2, 5, 6 7, 8 5, 7 1 Topic Users of accounting information Components of internal control Inexact or approximate measures Standards for the preparation of accounting information FASB conceptual framework PCAOB COSO Professional certifications in accounting AICPA code of professional conduct Personal benefits of accounting skills Skills Analysis Analysis Analysis, judgment Analysis Analysis Analysis, research Analysis, ethics Analysis Analysis, ethics Analysis Exercises 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Topic You as a user of accounting information Real World: Boeing Company, California Public Employees Retirement System, China Airlines Users of accounting information What is financial reporting? Generally accepted accounting principles Accounting organizations Investment return Accounting terminology Accounting organizations Financial and management accounting Management accounting information Accounting organizations Purpose of an audit Audits of financial statements Ethics and professional judgment Careers in accounting Home Depot, Inc. general information Learning Objectives Skills 1 Analysis, judgment 3, 4 Analysis, research ...
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...Management” INTRODUCTION Many professionals and accounting researchers have raised the question -Is ethics directly linked to the practice of earnings management? Earnings management is defined by Beaudoin, Cianci, and Tsakumis (2012, p.507), as “the manipulation of revenues and/or expenses to obtain a desired financial reporting outcome.” He and Yang’s article offers that the definition of earnings management is “a process in which managers use judgment in financial reporting and in structuring transactions to alter financial reports to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying economic performance of the company or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reported accounting numbers” (He and Yang 2013). So either way one looks at it, earnings management is a form of deceit. In Shafer’s (2013, p.45) paper, the author defines ethical climate by referencing Victor and Cullen (1988) as, “the prevailing perceptions among employees of organizational practices and procedures that have ethical content.” More often than none, findings have shown that companies tend to engage in earnings management through management’s actions, and not just through accounting choices. Corporations tend to conduct earnings management to meet earnings forecasts, as well as, to decrease financing and tax costs. One side of the spectrum would argue that it is perfectly fine to manage earnings, as long as it is within the generally accepted accounting principles. Others would argue that managing...
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...review or second partner review, is not a new practice and was first mandated in 1977, but it has most recently been required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for each registered public accounting firm to "provide a concurring or second partner review and approval of [each] audit report (and other related information), and concurring approval in its issuance...." It has been further clarified in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 7 (AS No. 7), that was approved by the SEC in January 2010. Early guidance on engagement quality reviews was vague, and the practice was not standardized from firm to firm. The practice involves a second partner to review the engagement and serves as an internal check for engagement quality for the audit firm. Varying degrees of partner qualifications, involvement, responsibilities, scope, and documentation requirements existed. The first section of this paper explores the evolution of this practice in the standards and the surrounding auditing profession climate leading to the new standard, AS No. 7, adopted in 2009 by the PCAOB. In the second section, various research findings are presented and discussed. Finally, we draw conclusions on the current need for engagement quality reviews in the auditing profession based on our research. Evolution Many firms instituted concurring partner reviews over a decade before it was mandated by the Security and Exchange Commission’s Practice Section in 1977; however...
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...describes financial statement fraud (FSF) and how it may occur within companies. The reason of this study was to research FSF detection and prevention. Research was also done to determine any influences that SAS (Statement on Auditing Standards) No. 82 and SAS No. 99 had on audit programs and the analysis from external auditors. Thirteen scholarly journals were reviewed in order to analyze SAS No. 82 and No. 99 and to show ways to detect and prevent fraud. Results found that managers and/or auditors can create fraud intentionally and unintentionally. There are ways to prevent fraud and educating managers and/or auditors is a good way to make sure fraud does not occur. Introduction Financial statement fraud (FSF) involves the premeditated issuing of phony information on a financial statement (financial statement fraud, 2011). FSF occurs when a company exaggerates assets or revenue, or when it devalues liabilities and expenses (financial statement fraud, 2011). The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or AICPA defines fraudulent financial reporting as “intentional misstatements or omissions of amounts or disclosures in financial statements to deceive financial statement users” (Lendez & Korevec, 1999, p. 48). FSF might involve manipulation of financial records, intentional omission of events, transactions, accounts, or other significant information from which financial statements are prepared, or misapplication of accounting principles, policies, and procedures...
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...Abstract Professional standards require auditors to be independent in the performance of attestation services. Critics of the accounting profession have expressed concern that pressure to maintain and develop business opportunities may erode an auditor’s objectivity and independence when making audit judgments. The profession contends that aspects of the auditing environment such as peer review, consultation review, and auditor professionalism serve to mitigate this risk. This study examines the impact of financial dependence, consultation review requirement, and moral development on a judgment based audit decision. Fifty-four experienced auditors were asked to assess the appropriateness of an audit client’s proposed change in accounting estimate for warranties. Two levels of financial dependence (Large client with potential for additional consulting revenues / Small client) and two levels of consultation review requirement (Required / Not required) were manipulated in the case materials. Moral development was measured using the Defining Issues Test (DIT) p-score. Results of the tests indicate that the presence of a consultation review requirement reduced the auditors’ assessments of the appropriateness of the accounting treatment; in addition, higher scores on the DIT were associated with lower assessments of the appropriateness of the accounting treatment. Financial dependence did not influence the assessment of the appropriateness of the accounting treatment. Implications...
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...ACCTG 331 – INTEGRATIVE ACCOUNTING TOPICS I FINANCIAL REPORTING MODULE FALL 2014 INSTRUCTORS: Amy Barry EMAIL: abarry@welkgroup.com or abarry@mail.sdsu.edu CLASS TIMES: W; 7:00PM – 9:40PM; SSW 2501 OFFICE: Student Services East Building (SSE) 2419 OFFICE HRS: Wednesdays: 4:00PM – 5:30PM (If students cannot make these above times, students can always make an appointment to come see me in my office.) PREREQUISITES: Admission to Accountancy major, minor, or certificate. Minimum grade of C in both ACCTG 201 and 202. Completion of General Education requirement in Communication and Critical Thinking. Proof of completion of prerequisites required: Copy of transcript. TEXTBOOKS: Intermediate Accounting, 7th Edition (with Connect access card); Spiceland, Sepe, Nelson and Tomassini (REQUIRED) Financial Accounting Exam Questions & Explanations 18TH W/ A/C Test Prep Software – Gleim (Optional) ADDITIONAL: We will be using the red Parscore forms (F-289) for ALL EXAMS AND QUIZZES. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS MODULE: The purpose of this module of ACCT 331 is to enhance and expand your current understanding of corporate financial reporting for the subject areas covered in the module. More specifically, we will take an in-depth look at the mechanics of financial accounting and the theory behind U.S. GAAP as presented in the statement of operations (i.e., income statement) and the statement of financial position (i.e., balance sheet). We...
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