CPA Exam Terminology: A Coherent List of Commonly Used Vocabulary
AICPA
(The American Institute of CPAs)
American Accounting Association
(AAA)
ATT
(Authorization to test)
Beta Alpha Psi
(BAP)
The Big 4
BOE
(Board of Examiners)
CPE
(Continuing Professional
Education)
The AICPA represents the accounting profession, sets ethical
standards, auditing standards, and develops the CPA Exam. The
AICPA & NASBA are both responsible for determining the
eligibility of candidates to sit for the CPA Exam. AICPA is also
responsible for setting and scoring the CPA Exam, and then
transmitting the scores to NASBA.
One of the largest community of accountants in academics, the
AAA’s diverse membership looks to shape the future of
accounting through teaching, research, and thought leadership.
This is your application packet to take the CPA Exam. Once you
have submitted all the required information and fees, your
application is sent for processing whether or not you will be
authorized to test.
BAP is the premier professional accounting and business
information fraternity which recognizes academic excellence
and complements members’ formal education by providing
interaction among students, faculty, and accounting
professionals. They hold an annual meeting every year in
different cities in which students and professionals come
together and network.
This is a reference to the top 4 largest CPA firms in the world:
KPMG, Ernest & Young, Deloitte, and PwC.
This is an executive committee of the AICPA who has the
responsibility of preparing and grading the CPA Exam.
This is part of the life-long learning required for CPAs to provide
service to the public. It is a set of activities that CPAs must
continuously partake in to maintain and increase their
professional competency.
CPAES
(CPA Examination Services)
CPAES provides resources of CPA Exam-related services to 33
participating states and territories. Such services include
application processing, credential evaluations, and score
reporting.
EEE’s
(Education, Experience, Exam)
The triple E’s are referred when talking about the requirements
that need to be met when applying for a CPA license.
Elijah Watt Sells Award
A coveted award presented to CPA candidates who take all 4
sections of the CPA Exam at one time and receive the 3 highest
combined grades.
IQEX
(International Qualification
Examination)
NTS
(Notice to Schedule)
NCD
(National Candidate Database)
NASBA
(National Association of State
Boards of Accountancy)
This exam is for accounting professionals who are members of
non-U.S. professional associations that have entered into
mutual recognition agreements with U.S. Boards of
Accountancy.
Hooray! This is an exciting acronym for all candidates. This
means that your ATT has been accepted, and you now have the
ability to schedule your testing appointment through the
Prometric Testing Center of your choice.
This is a database of all CPA candidate information that has
been created to aid NASBA, state Boards of Accountancy, the
AICPA, and testing centers to protect candidates’ personal data
during the application and Exam processes. The NCD is where
your ATT is sent for approval.
NASBA is an organization dedicated to serving the 55 state
boards of accountancy in the United States. NASBA and the
AICPA are responsible for determining eligibility of candidates
to sit for the CPA Exam and has the final authority on
communicating exam results to candidates. At NASBA, you’ll
find helpful resources and information regarding the CPA Exam,
licensure, and the industry as a whole. NASBA also acts as a
forum for the state boards.
Payment Coupons
What you are given to pay for your CPA Exam application fees.
Prometric Testing Center
A testing organization where you will take your CPA Exam
section(s). You can go here to schedule, reschedule, or cancel
your Exam as well as find locations near you.
State Boards of Accountancy
State Societies
Validation Period
Every state has its own State Board of Accountancy which
details requirements candidates need to meet to sit for the CPA
Exam as well as obtain licensure. We highly recommend
contacting your State Board of Accountancy directly for
questions about eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam since they will
have the last say on the matter and because every state’s
requirements differ.
An organization in each state that serves the needs of CPAs in
that state. They work together with the AICPA and other
organizations to help advance the goals of the accounting
profession. We highly recommend becoming a member of your
state’s state society in order to reap benefits such as career
opportunities, mentorship, etc.
The validation period refers to the amount of time you have to
schedule and take the examination section(s) you registered for
after receiving your NTS.