The Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants

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Becoming a Student Member of the MSCPA

The MSCPA offers many exciting benefits and programs for students. As a student member, you'll receive significant discounts on CPA exam review courses and access to the members-only section of the website to find technical articles and professional updates.

How much are the dues?

You will be charged a $25 membership fee and your membership is good for up to 4 years.
» Apply Today!

An applicant for admission to the Maine Society of CPAs as a Student member shall be a full-time student enrolled at an accredited four year college or university or an accredited graduate school who will have earned, or be currently in the process of earning, at least 12 credit hours per year in courses that are designated as accounting courses. Student members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. Membership in this category may be continued for four years. Student members will receive all MSCPA e-mailings relating to upcoming meetings and the MSCPA newsletter.

Apply for your student membership today! You can either fill out the form online or print, fill out the form, and mail it in to the MSCPA.

Becoming a CPA

Did you know there's a CPA behind every professional sports team, rock band, and every major Hollywood production? An accounting degree can take you anywhere.

Wondering if being a CPA is right for you? Have a look at some career paths, or check out Start Here Go Places to learn about the exciting opportunities in accounting.

Maine College and University Accounting Programs

Husson College

St. Joseph's College

Thomas College

University of Maine and Other University of Maine Campuses

University of Southern Maine

The Uniform CPA Exam and Certificate Requirements in Maine

Computerized CPA exam tips are now available! You can benefit from these useful tips if you're planning to take the exam.

Ready for the CPA Exam?

Granting the CPA Certificate

The CPA Certificate is granted to those who have met the requirements for practicing public accounting as enacted by the State of Maine for the benefit and protection of its citizens. The Maine Board of Accountancy grants a Certificate of Certified Public Accountant to a person who:

  • Is of good moral character,
  • Passes the Uniform CPA Examination,
  • Satisfies the experience requirements,
  • Completes 150 semester hours of college education,
  • Files an application for a CPA Certificate with the Maine Board of Accountancy and pays a $50 annual fee.

Information for applying for a CPA certificate in Maine

Computerized Uniform CPA Examination Process

  1. Apply to take the examination (request an application)
    • Call the Maine Board of Accountancy at (207) 624-8603 for an application
    • Call CPA Examination Services at 1.800.CPA.Exam for fee information
    • Sitting requirements for the next exam.
  2. Receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
    • Sent after it's determined you are eligible to take one or more sections of the exam and have paid all fees
    • Lists the sections of the exam you are approved to take
  3. Schedule your examination
    • Schedule your exam early with Prometric in one of three ways: online, by calling 1.800.580.9648 or on-site at a test center
    • The exam is offered in "testing windows," which are the first two months of each calendar quarter
    • Choose your testing center
  4. Take your examination

    The applicant must pass the computerized examination on the following subjects:

    • Auditing & Attestation (AUD)
    • Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)
    • Regulation (REG)
    • Business Environment & Concepts (BEC)
  5. Receive your score report
    • Distribution of scores is the responsibility of the Maine Board of Accountancy

Exam Format

The four sections of the exam are comprised of multiple-choice questions. Three of the four sections (with the exception of Business Environment & Concepts) also contain simulations (condensed case studies). The multiple-choice questions and simulations are divided into "testlets" which candidates receive one at a time during testing.

Section Time Format
AUD 4.5 hours 3 multiple choice testlets
2 simulation testlets
BEC 2.5 hours 3 multiple choice testlets
FAR 4 hours 3 multiple choice testlets
2 simulation testlets
REG 3 hours 3 multiple choice testlets
2 simulation testlets

Exam Passing Requirements

  • Scores are reported on a numeric scale of 0-99, with 75 as a passing score (this does not represent a percent correct)
  • With the exception of written communication responses, the exam will be scored electronically
  • A candidate shall be deemed to have completed the examination when granted credit for all four subjects. Candidates will be able to take any or all sections of the examination during any testing window in any order. However, you will not be allowed to take the same section more than once during any testing window.

Experience Requirements

An applicant for a CPA certificate is required to have completed two years of qualifying practical experience under the direction of a Certified Public Accountant licensed by any state or territory of the United States. The two years must include a minimum of 400 hours of experience in audit, review, or compilation procedures and a minimum of at least 200 hours of experience in at least one of the following: the provision of management advisory; financial advisory or consulting services, the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters.

For More Information

MSCPA Scholarship Awards

Every year, $2,000 in scholarship money is offered to Maine accounting students who are pursuing careers as CPAs in the form of two separate $1,000 Macdonald Scholarship awards.

The Education and Scholarship Committee of the MSCPA will select the recipient of each award.

Using the following criteria, the applicant:

  • Must be a Maine resident and a full-time junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student attending a Maine college or university who is an accounting major committed to pursuing a career as a CPA.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Submit the application and supporting documentation by the date stated on the application.

Scholarships: AICPA, Other Organizations and CPA Firms

Uniform CPA Exam Review Courses

Lambers CPA Review

Becker Conviser

CPAexcel

TV Accounting

Yaeger CPA Review