Vermont CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements to Become a CPA

Vermont CPA Requirements

As you work toward CPA licensure in Vermont, there are three primary requirements to be aware of: education, work experience, and ethics exam requirements. Additionally, there are a few other licensure requirements that most candidates will have met by default that are important to note.

Vermont CPA education requirements

To take the CPA Exam, candidates in Vermont must complete at least 120 semester hours of college education, with 30 being in accounting and business subjects. This is to include:

• 6 semester hours in finance or managerial accounting
• 3 semester hours in auditing
• 3 semester hours in U.S. taxation
• 3 semester hours in U.S. business law

If your course completion or graduation occurs within 60 days following your examination date, you must file official transcripts no later than 120 days following the examination.

For CPA licensure, candidates in Vermont must obtain a bachelor’s degree and at least 150 semester hours, 42 of which must be in accounting, auditing, and related subjects.

Vermont CPA experience requirements

CPA candidates in Vermont are required to complete 1 year (2,080 hours) of work experience in public accounting under the supervision of a CPA. The experience must include work in specific areas to be considered valid, such as:

1. The application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as well as generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), statements on standards for accounting and review services (SSARS), and other services subject to generally accepted professional standards.
2. The review and preparation of tax provisions and reserves.
3. Financial statement preparation from the books of account without audit and related tax returns or the performance of other related services.
4. Design and installation of accounting, cost, or other systems when not related to an extension of auditing assignments and other management advisory services.
5. A combination of experience determined substantially equivalent by the State Board.

A full outline of accepted forms of public accounting experience and substantially equivalent forms of work experience can be reviewed within the State Board’s administrative rules. Upon satisfying the requirements, your supervisor must submit a Report of Supervised Experience form to the State Board.

Vermont CPA Ethics Exam requirements

To qualify for licensure, Vermont CPA candidates must complete a course of study in professional ethics for accountants (equivalent to 8 hours of continuing professional education) that includes the AICPA Code of Conduct or Vermont accountancy statutes and rules. This must be done within 2 years of your application filing date.

The International CPA examination program

Vermont encourages foreign candidates to become CPAs by participating in the International CPA Examination Program. Through this program, CPA aspirants must have their credentials evaluated by NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) or any member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The report will provide you with the credit equivalency of your degree. If it matches the state's requirement, you can apply to become a CPA as per Vermont CPA requirements.