[Anonymous]

I want to appear in Uniform exam test CPS from South Carolina board, any one who guide me for this what should I have to do and also addressed about the member of this board. who deal the inquiries.

[Anonymous]

Hi arbaz,

Here is the SC Board of Accountancy website: https://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Accountancy/index.asp?file=pub.htm

However, you don't have to deal with them until after you have passed the exams. I'm not a SC resident, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but to apply you will go here: https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/southcarolina/ That's the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, aka NASBA, website. Most states do their exam process through NASBA and then just take over the process after the candidate has successfully passed all the exams, and SC is one of those states. I'm in a non-NASBA state, which means I apply with my state board to start with, and they contact NASBA and the AICPA to tell them that I can take the exams. So, I don't know all the details of the NASBA state process, but I do know it starts with applying at the website in this paragraph. However, when you apply, you will want to make sure you meet the educational requirements etc of SC, and that's why I gave you the first link too so that you can get your state-specific information to make sure you're qualified to apply, since NASBA will evaluate your application based on SC's criteria.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Hi arbaz,

Here is the SC Board of Accountancy website: https://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Accountancy/index.asp?file=pub.htm

However, you don't have to deal with them until after you have passed the exams. I'm not a SC resident, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but to apply you will go here: https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/southcarolina/ That's the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, aka NASBA, website. Most states do their exam process through NASBA and then just take over the process after the candidate has successfully passed all the exams, and SC is one of those states. I'm in a non-NASBA state, which means I apply with my state board to start with, and they contact NASBA and the AICPA to tell them that I can take the exams. So, I don't know all the details of the NASBA state process, but I do know it starts with applying at the website in this paragraph. However, when you apply, you will want to make sure you meet the educational requirements etc of SC, and that's why I gave you the first link too so that you can get your state-specific information to make sure you're qualified to apply, since NASBA will evaluate your application based on SC's criteria.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Hi Lilla,

Thanks for providing information. Dear could u tell me what is the Difference between non-NASBA or NASBA.

it has any effect on Fee's . Actually I also want to reduce my Cost?

U have any suggestions ?

r

[Anonymous]

Hi Lilla,

Thanks for providing information. Dear could u tell me what is the Difference between non-NASBA or NASBA.

it has any effect on Fee's . Actually I also want to reduce my Cost?

U have any suggestions ?

r

[Anonymous]

Hi Arbaz,

Sorry for the delay. NASBA vs non-NASBA simply refers to how each state has chosen to handle the exam process. The majority of states have chosen to have NASBA handle almost everything with the exam candidates until after the candidate has passed all 4 exams…basically, they've “outsourced” their pre-pass candidate process. So, in those states, you apply to take the exams through NASBA, you get your scores from NASBA, etc., and you don't have to talk to the state board till after you complete the exams. Around here, we refer to those states as “NASBA states”. In a non-NASBA state, quite simply, that specific state hasn't outsourced that job. My state is one of those. So, instead of applying on the NASBA website, I filled out a KY application and sent it on. After KY processed my application, they sent notice to NASBA that I would be testing, and after that I got an email from NASBA requesting payment etc.

When it comes time for scores to release, in a NASBA state, you can get the scores off the NASBA website; in a non-NASBA state, NASBA sends the scores to the state board, and the state board then releases them to the candidates. The biggest impact of this is that usually NASBA releases scores the business day before the official release, and usually non-NASBA states don't release till the official release (since they get them from NASBA on the day NASBA releases, and then need till the next day to process and upload them, or something like that).

The third place that NASBA or non-NASBA makes a big difference is when you're all done with the tests. In non-NASBA states, the state has seen your score after each section and has all the scores in front of them after you finish your exams. So, you send in your other paperwork (experience, eduction, etc., whatever they still need) and they can get right to work processing it. In non-NASBA states, since NASBA has been handling your scores, your state board hasn't seen them at all, so even if you have all your other paperwork in, they have to wait till NASBA sends them your scores before they can process your paperwork, and from what I've gathered, NASBA sends out scores about the start of the month after the close of the testing window in which the candidate passed their last exam. So like, I took REG on Oct 5. If I passed it, then I'm done with all of my tests. Scores will release on Nov 4, so if I passed, then on Nov 4, the KY State Board and I will both know that I've passed all my sections, and depending on how quickly they process my other paperwork (I need to send in my experience certifications), I expect I could be a CPA within a month or so. However, if I was in a non-NASBA state, then from my understanding, NASBA wouldn't send the scores till about the 1st of January, and only then would KY be able to start with my paperwork. So, for someone taking their last test at the start of the window, it makes about a 2 month difference in licensing time whether they are NASBA or non-NASBA.

But at the end of the day, you kinda just work with whatever your state is. In your case, it's NASBA. The big fees are the fees for the exam itself, $723.20 for the 4 exam sections (some are a bit more, some a bit less, but if you took each exam once and passed, that'd be the price for all 4). The state-specific fees are usually a lot less – maybe $100 to apply initially and $50 for each follow-up application. Like, I applied for BEC and AUD together, then did a separate application for FAR and another separate one for REG, since after you pay for a test, you only have 6 months in which to take it…and I thought for sure I could do BEC and AUD in 6 months, but then held off to apply for the others till I was sure I could complete them within 6 months. In my state, the fees were actually a bit different – $30 to first apply and $30 for each exam section, so $150 ($30 initial + 4 exams) total in state fees to take the exams. But, my state is a very low-income state, so a lot of things cost less than most states. (Like, over the weekend, I looked at a 3BR house that is for rent for $425/mo. That's a bit below average in the country. 😉 )

The biggest way you can save money during this journey is in your study materials. Don't buy the idea that the more you pay for materials, the better they are and/or the better you'll score. It's just not true. I used Wiley books – approx $40 for each section – and Wiley test bank, which I think was $300 for a year-long subscription for all 4 sections. The test bank is optional to be honest – there's plenty of questions in the book, too, and from what I've heard, they're harder. But for me, I knew from prior experience with other tests that a test bank on the computer was a very useful tool for me, so I decided it was worth the money. And that brings me to my second point with materials – like I said before, the most expensive isn't the best, but that doesn't mean the cheapest (Wiley books alone) is necessarily the best, either…because the best materials are the materials that you feel like you can learn from and excel with. If you got just Wiley materials but they weren't a good fit for you and you had to take each test 3 times before passing, then you have cheap materials but are out a LOT in testing fees, and you could've bought something like Roger or Yaeger or one of these other courses and have spent less overall. However, you could also buy something like Roger or Yaeger and then realize it really doesn't suit you and end up buying a second one or going to something cheaper like Wiley. The key is to find what works for you. So, look up some sample lectures. I know that Roger has some on his site, because I was very concerned about one of my exams and desperate for anything to help, so decided to look up his sample lecture for it and see if watching it calmed my nerves a bit. 😉 I'm pretty sure all the lecture-based ones have samples available on their website and/or YouTube, etc. Each has a different teaching style and will appeal to different people. Books also have different styles. Wiley books have the “Search Inside” feature on Amazon which allows you to get a feel for how they teach…I'm not sure if the other books (say Becker's books) have any way for you to preview them or not.

All in all, just look around and see what works best for you. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi Arbaz,

Sorry for the delay. NASBA vs non-NASBA simply refers to how each state has chosen to handle the exam process. The majority of states have chosen to have NASBA handle almost everything with the exam candidates until after the candidate has passed all 4 exams…basically, they've “outsourced” their pre-pass candidate process. So, in those states, you apply to take the exams through NASBA, you get your scores from NASBA, etc., and you don't have to talk to the state board till after you complete the exams. Around here, we refer to those states as “NASBA states”. In a non-NASBA state, quite simply, that specific state hasn't outsourced that job. My state is one of those. So, instead of applying on the NASBA website, I filled out a KY application and sent it on. After KY processed my application, they sent notice to NASBA that I would be testing, and after that I got an email from NASBA requesting payment etc.

When it comes time for scores to release, in a NASBA state, you can get the scores off the NASBA website; in a non-NASBA state, NASBA sends the scores to the state board, and the state board then releases them to the candidates. The biggest impact of this is that usually NASBA releases scores the business day before the official release, and usually non-NASBA states don't release till the official release (since they get them from NASBA on the day NASBA releases, and then need till the next day to process and upload them, or something like that).

The third place that NASBA or non-NASBA makes a big difference is when you're all done with the tests. In non-NASBA states, the state has seen your score after each section and has all the scores in front of them after you finish your exams. So, you send in your other paperwork (experience, eduction, etc., whatever they still need) and they can get right to work processing it. In non-NASBA states, since NASBA has been handling your scores, your state board hasn't seen them at all, so even if you have all your other paperwork in, they have to wait till NASBA sends them your scores before they can process your paperwork, and from what I've gathered, NASBA sends out scores about the start of the month after the close of the testing window in which the candidate passed their last exam. So like, I took REG on Oct 5. If I passed it, then I'm done with all of my tests. Scores will release on Nov 4, so if I passed, then on Nov 4, the KY State Board and I will both know that I've passed all my sections, and depending on how quickly they process my other paperwork (I need to send in my experience certifications), I expect I could be a CPA within a month or so. However, if I was in a non-NASBA state, then from my understanding, NASBA wouldn't send the scores till about the 1st of January, and only then would KY be able to start with my paperwork. So, for someone taking their last test at the start of the window, it makes about a 2 month difference in licensing time whether they are NASBA or non-NASBA.

But at the end of the day, you kinda just work with whatever your state is. In your case, it's NASBA. The big fees are the fees for the exam itself, $723.20 for the 4 exam sections (some are a bit more, some a bit less, but if you took each exam once and passed, that'd be the price for all 4). The state-specific fees are usually a lot less – maybe $100 to apply initially and $50 for each follow-up application. Like, I applied for BEC and AUD together, then did a separate application for FAR and another separate one for REG, since after you pay for a test, you only have 6 months in which to take it…and I thought for sure I could do BEC and AUD in 6 months, but then held off to apply for the others till I was sure I could complete them within 6 months. In my state, the fees were actually a bit different – $30 to first apply and $30 for each exam section, so $150 ($30 initial + 4 exams) total in state fees to take the exams. But, my state is a very low-income state, so a lot of things cost less than most states. (Like, over the weekend, I looked at a 3BR house that is for rent for $425/mo. That's a bit below average in the country. 😉 )

The biggest way you can save money during this journey is in your study materials. Don't buy the idea that the more you pay for materials, the better they are and/or the better you'll score. It's just not true. I used Wiley books – approx $40 for each section – and Wiley test bank, which I think was $300 for a year-long subscription for all 4 sections. The test bank is optional to be honest – there's plenty of questions in the book, too, and from what I've heard, they're harder. But for me, I knew from prior experience with other tests that a test bank on the computer was a very useful tool for me, so I decided it was worth the money. And that brings me to my second point with materials – like I said before, the most expensive isn't the best, but that doesn't mean the cheapest (Wiley books alone) is necessarily the best, either…because the best materials are the materials that you feel like you can learn from and excel with. If you got just Wiley materials but they weren't a good fit for you and you had to take each test 3 times before passing, then you have cheap materials but are out a LOT in testing fees, and you could've bought something like Roger or Yaeger or one of these other courses and have spent less overall. However, you could also buy something like Roger or Yaeger and then realize it really doesn't suit you and end up buying a second one or going to something cheaper like Wiley. The key is to find what works for you. So, look up some sample lectures. I know that Roger has some on his site, because I was very concerned about one of my exams and desperate for anything to help, so decided to look up his sample lecture for it and see if watching it calmed my nerves a bit. 😉 I'm pretty sure all the lecture-based ones have samples available on their website and/or YouTube, etc. Each has a different teaching style and will appeal to different people. Books also have different styles. Wiley books have the “Search Inside” feature on Amazon which allows you to get a feel for how they teach…I'm not sure if the other books (say Becker's books) have any way for you to preview them or not.

All in all, just look around and see what works best for you. 🙂

[Author]

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