Wondering what it takes to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Mississippi? Small and medium-sized businesses dominate the Mississippi market. As a result, CPAs are in high demand. To become a CPA in Mississippi, you must first determine whether you meet all of the state board’s requirements. On this page, we’ll walk you through all of the CPA Exam and licensure requirements to become a CPA in Mississippi.
Mississippi CPA Requirements
All the rules and regulations of the CPA Exam and licensure in Mississippi are designed by the Mississippi (MS) State Board of Accountancy. You must meet all the requirements to sit for the CPA Exam and get a license. Here is a list of Mississippi CPA requirements:
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 hours (bachelor’s degree) |
| Exam Passing Score | At least 75 in each section |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Ethics exam not required |
| Work Experience | 1 year of experience |
| International CPA Examination Program | Mississippi does not participate in the International CPA international program. |
- To sit for the CPA Exam, you must complete a bachelor’s degree with 120 collegiate-level semester hours or equivalent.
- Your degree must be in accounting or the equivalent, as determined by the board, to be appropriate in its rules and regulations.
- To obtain your license, a total of 150 collegiate-level semester hours is required to apply for the CPA license in Mississippi, including:
- A minimum of 48 semester hours of upper-division or graduate-level accounting and business courses.
- Among the 48 hours, 24 semester hours must be in strictly accounting, with at least 3 semester hours in subjects such as
- Financial Accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management/Cost Accounting
- Government/Not-for-Profit Accounting
Work experience requirements include 1 year of meaningful work experience gained by full-time employment within 3 years from the date of successful completion of the CPA examination, under the supervision of a practicing CPA professional. Your job description could include the following:
- Accounting and Auditing
- Management Advisory
- Financial Advisory
- Preparation of Tax Returns or Tax Advice
Mississippi CPA Exam & Licensing – Cost and Fees
The application fee for the CPA Exam in Mississippi is $150. Each section of the exam costs about $220. Please note that the application fee for the CPA Exam is non-refundable.
Before you can get a CPA license, you have to make sure you meet all the requirements and fill out an initial application form. The initial licensure application fee is $110. Additionally, a $100 board processing fee applies. Remember to apply for the license within 3 years of passing the CPA Exam.
| Mississippi CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $150 | |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $220 | |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $220 | |
| Regulation (REG) | $220 | |
| ISC/BAR/TCP | $220 | |
| Total: | $1,030 | |
[Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)]
Mississippi CPA License Renewal Requirements
All CPA licensees must renew their licenses on or before Jan. 1 each year. The annual renewal fee is $110. The application process can be done online through the MS State Board website. If you miss the Jan. 1 deadline, you will be charged an additional $150 as a late fee. Also, fees for the manual renewal process may differ.
Mississippi CPA Continuing Education Requirements
The Mississippi State Board mandates the submission of a Continued Professional Education (CPE) report for every CPA licensee. You must complete your CPE, sign, and submit the CPE form annually, before June. In every compliance period, licensees must complete at least 40 hours of CPE, with a minimum of 4 hours of board-approved ethics courses.
Mississippi CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Explore the essential details of Mississippi CPA exam dates, score release timelines, and how to schedule your examination efficiently.
Exam Dates & Score Release
The score release date is one of the most anticipated questions among CPA applicants. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) releases the CPA Exam score release dates. Your score release date depends on when you take the exam. Typically, scores are released within 48 hours of the target date.
Exam Section Scheduling
Aside from the scores, you should also be familiar with the CPA Exam schedule. Here is a step-by-step method you can use to schedule your exam.
You will receive an “Authorization to Test” (ATT) if you are eligible to take the CPA Exam in Mississippi. After your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive payment details to pay your application fees.
You will get a Notice to Schedule (NTS) for your exam between 3 and 6 weeks after submitting your CPA exam application. When scheduling the CPA Exam, the NTS number is required. You must have the document with you at the CPA Exam testing center. If you do not have the NTS, you will be unable to take the test.
You can schedule the CPA Exam through the Prometric website. Determine the location and date of your examination in advance to avoid any last-minute confusion. If you’re unsure about the location of your nearest testing center, a quick internet search can help you find it.
To pass the CPA Exam, you must score at least 75 in each section. Make sure you have a study plan and the right prep materials that work for you.
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