So I'm plowing through all of the costing for the ABV. It's actually quite complex because they have three different cost tiers (depending on if you have AICPA membership, section membership or no membership). You don't need AICPA membership to take the exam, but you do to be certified. Section membership automatically comes with the annual credential fee (which is in addition to AICPA membership fees); but if you are a section member you will get your section dues returned on a prorated basis against the initial credential fee. Sound complex? Hell ya.
Being the diligent CPA that I am, I worked through all three scenarios for the 2016 summer/spring session. Ill post my findings later tonight.
Another thing on the sessions. So there has been a lot of format change lately with the ABV. It used to be one five hour exam (wow). They decided to add some and the cell split into two 3.25 hour exams. In 2015 they had two windows, summer and winter. Same rules as the CPA, you can take both exams in the same window but cannot retake the same exam in the same window. 2016 is different, they have a separate spring and summer window, and for what I presume will also be a fall and a winter later in the year. Don't be fooled though, they are called different windows but you cannot retake an exam in the summer for which you failed in the spring, which to me essentially makes them the same window with a two week break. A little stupid? Yes. I think they are trying to encourage people to split the two exams and not study for both at the same time. Who knows. But just be aware it is basically the same deal as 2015, what is essentially two windows with no retakes. Also, the ABV does have an expiration policy, both exams in a 12 month period. You have until the end of the session the following year from the time you pass your first one. Basically, you have three shots to pass the second once you pass the first….
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