Master of Accountancy (MACC) Program
Professional Examination Competency Degree Requirement
2012-2013
COORDINATOR:
Jimmy Burkett
OFFICE:
Moore School of Business, Room 319
TELEPHONE:
(803) 777-6412
EMAIL:
burkett@moore.sc.edu
OBJECTIVE
This is a self-paced, non-credit MACC program requirement designed to enhance the probability that you
will pass the CPA examination. You must complete this requirement before you can receive your degree.
PROCEDURE
There are no formal classes. You complete this requirement on your own by studying for each part of the
four-part CPA exam and then receiving a score of at least 70% on a simulated CPA exam for each of the
four parts of the exam.
You take the computerized practice exam using Gleim’s CPA Test Prep software package. The package
is installed on computers located in the Moore School of Business. Alternatively, you can purchase your
own copy of the CPA Test Prep software. Having your own software enables you to complete this
program requirement at home.
You may also use the Becker “PassMaster - Comprehensive Progress Tests” or take parts of the actual
CPA exam
MATERIALS
Although there are no required materials for this degree requirement we strongly suggest that you
purchase the Gleim CPA Review package that consists of a review book and CPA Test Prep software for
each of the four parts of the CPA exam for $65 per section (Total of $260). The Gleim CPA review
books are a proven method of preparing for the various parts of the CPA exam. You can also get the
simulations for an additional $50 per section (Total of $150 for Audit, BEC & Regulation). You can
order at:
http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/sitelicense/student_siteinfo.php To complete your order, the
name of institution is “University of South Carolina – Columbia” and professor’s name is “Jimmy
Burkett.”
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REQUIREMENTS
After preparing for a specific part of the CPA exam on your own, you use Gleim’s CPA Test Prep
software to randomly select 100 questions and take a simulated CPA exam for that part. You must
receive a minimum score of 70% on a simulated exam for each of the four parts of the CPA exam. You
may take the parts of the exam in any order you choose. You may take the exam for each part as many
times as you need to receive the minimum score. Having your own copy of the CPA Test Prep software
will allow you to take the practice exam at your preferred location.
Based on when you plan to graduate, you should provide me with a copy of the Grade Report for each
part of the simulated CPA exam with a score of at least 70% according to the following recommended
schedule:
================= Graduation Dates ====================
Part
Spring
Summer
Fall
One
October 15
January 15
March 15
Two January 15
March 15
May 15
Three March 15
May 15
October 1
Four May 1
July 15
December 1
All Grade reports for each of the four parts should be turned in to Mallory Harding in room 320 at the
same time and no later than the date of commencement for the term you are graduating. In addition to the
score reports, you will need to complete and sign the reporting form included on the last page of this
memo.
Becker Score reports - You can use Becker to complete the Professional Exam Competency Requirement,
but you must select 100 random multiple choice questions from each section you use Becker for. A
Becker student using the 2011 version will go under progress test on their software. Once there, they will
choose the simulated exam (NOT progress test). This will include 100 random / multiple choice questions
from the section that the student chooses. For example, if they choose FAR they will receive 100
questions from all of the FAR lectures.
If you are using the 2012 version of Becker, from the PassMaster home page, select the “Review Before
Exam” menu option listed under the appropriate section of the exam. To the far right, you will see
“Comprehensive Progress Tests” – click on the Progress Tests button. Once there, you can modify the #
of questions (defaults to 100) as well as the time allotted per question (defaults to 1 ½ minutes).
CPA Exam Score Reports – You may also use you score reports from the actual CPA exam.
You are free to use the Gleim and/or Becker, etc. materials in any way you see fit to prepare for the
Competency Exam. There is no problem with printing out a list of the questions and answers and using it
to prepare to take the exam, but you cannot: (1) Print out a list of questions and answers and refer to it
while taking the exam. (2) Search test prep or review materials for the solutions while taking the exam.
(3) Have someone else help you take the exam.
If you do not provide us with the score reports and the statement by the date of commencement, we will
not be able to clear you for graduation until the next term and you should immediately give Mallory an
“Application for Graduation” for that next term. (For example: If you applied to graduate in May and did
not complete the requirement by May commencement, you should immediately give Mallory an
application for August graduation and must complete the requirement by August commencement or the
earliest you can receive your degree is December.)
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COMPLETION
Once you provide us with the Grade Report with a score of at least 70% for all four parts of the practice
CPA exam, you will have completed this MACC program degree requirement. Again, the printouts
should indicate that you have correctly answered at least 70 questions from the 100 randomly selected
questions for each part of the practice CPA exam. You must complete this requirement before you can
receive your degree.
Note there are four parts of the exam: (1) Auditing and Attestation; (2) Business Environment and
Concepts; (3) Financial Accounting and Reporting; and, (4) Regulation. You may complete them in any
order you choose.
Using Gleim’s CPA Test Prep Software
The Test Prep software allows you to create (1) a Study Session or (2) a Test Session.
The Study Session allows you to answer simulated CPA exam questions and you receive
immediate, interactive feedback as you answer questions. In addition to the Gleim review
books, these Study Sessions can help you prepare for the simulated exams.
The Test Session simulates a real CPA exam. This is where you will take the simulated CPA
exam to complete the MACC program degree requirement.
To take a simulated exam, follow these steps:
Click on the “CPA Test Prep shortcut icon (After you click on the link it will ask you if you
would like to run the program, so click run. After click, run the a message will appear stating
that Test Prep could not find your data directory or the place that will store your progress. Since
we can not save things to the hard drive in the computer lab you will need to use a thumb drive.
Insert you thumb drive then click browse on the screen that popped up and find the removable
disk drive. It should be located near the top of the listed files. Select the removable disk drive
and click ok and then click ok on the previous screen. You will then be asked to enter your name
and then click ok again and at long last you are in. You should then be able to figure out how to
navigate Gleim on your own.)
Click on “Create a Session”
Click on “Test Session”
Select the exam section you want to work on: (1) Auditing and Attestation; (2) Business
Environment and Concepts; (3) Financial Accounting and Reporting; and, (4) Regulation and
click “Next”
Under “Use Questions From,” select “All Questions”
Type in the number of questions you want to attempt, e.g., 100
Under “Select Question Order,” select “Random”
Under “Select Answer Order,” select “Random”
Then click on “Finish” and your simulated exam will be created for you
After you have answered all the questions in the session, click on “Grade”
To print your Grade Report, click on the printer icon at the top of the page
When you have a “score based on total questions” greater than or equal to 70%, print the grade
report and submit it along with the attached statement that you completed the part independently.
PLEASE KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS! Move on to the next part.
Note: Before attempting a 100-question simulated test, you might want to create a 2-3 question
test to make sure that you are able to print a grade report.
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Master of Accountancy (MACC) Program
Reporting Completion of Professional Examination Competency Degree Requirement
Complete and return to Mallory Harding in room 320 no later than the date of the
commencement for the term you plan to graduate.
Keep a copy of this report and score reports for each section for your records.
Name_____________________________________________________
Please attach your score reports and enter the date completed and score below for each section.
Exam Section
Date Completed
Score
Auditing and Attestation
_____________
______
Business Environment and Concepts
_____________
______
Financial Accounting and Reporting
_____________
______
Regulation
_____________
______
Prior to taking the exams, I read and understood the procedure and requirements for completing
the Professional Examination Competency Degree Requirement and I have complied with them.
I have received no outside help in taking any section of the simulated CPA exam.
__________________________________
Student Signature
____________________
Date
Approved by Jimmy Burkett, MACC Program Director
__________________________________
Signature
____________________
Date
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