Exam Data

General information regarding each exam

Certified Public Accountant – CPA

Allows accountants to be licensed by a state government agency and to perform attestation and represent clients before the IRS
www.aicpa.org
4-part exam (BEC/FAR/REG/AUD)
The test is available during the first two months of every calendar quarter
Average time to prepare for a test section is 50-60 hours per section
Type of test - Computerized multiple choice and simulations
Number of questions – 90 to 120 multiple choice questions, plus 2 simulations for AUD, FAR, REG

Certified Internal Auditor – CIA

Anyone who performs internal audit or high end quality control work
www.theiia.org
4-part exam
The test is available in May and November
Average time to prepare for the test is 150 hours
Type of test - Pencil and paper multiple choice over a two day period through November 2007, then becoming a computer based on-demand test in February 2008
Number of Questions – 125 per exam section (only 100 questions count towards score)

Certified Information Systems Auditor – CISA

Certified Management Accountant – CMA

Corporate accounting (Cost, Management, Finance)
www.imanet.org
4-part exam
The test is available on demand
Average time to prepare for the test is 150-200 hours
Type of test - Computerized exam combining multiple choice and long problem/essay
Number of questions – Parts 1 and 3 of revised format are 110 questions, Part 2 is 140 questions, Part 4 has 4-7 long problems/essays

Enrolled Agent – EA

Licensed tax practitioners to represent clients in front of the IRS - required prior to IRS face-to-face meeting
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/agents/article/0,,id=100710,00.html
3-part exam
The test is available on demand effective May 1, 2007 through February 29, 2008
Average time to prepare for the test is 100-150 hours
Type of test - Computerized multiple choice
Number of questions – 100 questions per part