Desks in a classroom.

FAQs

Careers in Accounting/Scholarships/Awards Questions

Q: Does the PICPA offer student memberships?
A: Students attending colleges and universities are eligible for many benefits as a Student Affiliate member. The fee is $10 per academic year, and students are eligible up to one year after graduation. Students who attend a Careers in Accounting event receive a free Student Affiliate membership. Student Affiliates receive a copy of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal, discounts on CPA Exam review courses, and information on chapter events and programs.

Q: How do I get a copy of the PICPA Internship Directory?
A: A link to the PICPA Internship Directory is located on our student Web site, www.CPAzone.org. This is an EXCLUSIVE Student Affiliate member benefit. Simply enter your county in Pennsylvania and other specifics as requested. The directory is updated whenever new opportunities arise, so check the site often. (You will need a member password to gain access to the PICPA Internship directory.)

Q: How do I get information about the PICPA's Student Writing Competition?
A: The PICPA Student Writing Competition is designed to encourage accounting and business majors to research and write about issues impacting the business environment. The topics vary from year to year. Cash prizes are awarded to individuals and their schools.

Q: Which schools have the best accounting programs in Pennsylvania?
A: The PICPA does not recommend one school over another. We suggest researching the school for accreditation, faculty-student ratio, and other areas of interest. A list of Pennsylvania schools offering accounting degrees and graduate degrees is located on CPAzone.org.

Q: Does the PICPA offer scholarships?
A: The PICPA awards scholarships every year on a statewide basis.

Twenty new scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Pennsylvania colleges and universities through the Multi-Year Scholarship program. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000 and can be renewed annually until the completion of a recipient's degree, provided each student pursues a full-time accounting degree and maintains a 3.0 or above GPA. Two scholarships are one-time awards of $1,000 each: the Joseph Taricani Scholarship and the Paychex Scholarship.

The Elizabeth C. and John L. Ricketts graduate scholarship is a $5,000 award given over two years to a full-time graduate student attending a Pennsylvania college or university. Many PICPA chapters also offer their own accounting scholarships.

Scholarship applications are available on CPAzone.org under Event and Programs. Students must fill out the application and ask a faculty member or other reference to fill out the recommendation section. Both pieces should be sent along with an official transcript to:

PICPA Careers in Accounting Team
1650 Arch Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2099
The deadline for application is March 17.

Q: Does Pennsylvania require 150 hours of education to sit for the CPA exam?
A: As of right now the 150 hour requirement has not passed however, may be mandated for CPA certificate applicants after January 1, 2010. The 150 hours of college education would have to be completed through a combination of undergraduate and/ or graduate study. You do not need to accumulate the 150 hours prior to taking the uniform CPA Exam. You may continue to accumulate college credit after receiving your undergraduate degree. Once you have 150 hours of college education, passed the uniform CPA Exam and met experience requirements, you may apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy for a CPA certificate.

The 150 hour requirement would not apply to an individual who successfully completed one or more parts of the CPA Exam prior to December 31, 2009.

Visit the 150-hour requirement page for full education requirements and updates.