[RobertJason]

I am graduating at the end of May this year and want to schedule to sit for one exam section at the end of the next window (sit at end of August). I know there is a process: wait for degree conferral (a month?), application 4-6 weeks, payment coupon 5 days, receive NTS 10 days.

I could be miscalculating, but the way I come up with the dates, if I graduate end of May (let’s just say June 1 for easy math), by the time I’m through the California board of accountancy application process it will be to close to the end of the testing window. With September being an off month, should I expect to sit at the end of August or beginning of October? Even if i barely make it, I understand the schedules fill up far in advance (ie, schedule at least 30 days before sitting).

I’m mostly curious if anyone has experience with a Spring graduation and was able to sit by the end of August?

I was assuming the answer is “wait until October”, but I another student I spoke with in the same situation is already studying for August.

Thank you for any help!

[MaLoTu]

You might make before the end of August, but from what I have heard, the CA BOA is taking the full extent of their time to approve applications. It does take about a month for your degree to post and they will deny your application if it isn't posted on the degree when they receive it.

[TheHoundThatRides]

Sent my final transcripts and application around March 20-25. Got approval e-mail by the board May 14. (was able to pick what exams I wanted to pay for)

Got payment Coupon May 26.

Got Notice to Schedule June 1st. This allowed me to finally schedule exam dates with Prometric.

This was my application process last year in California. I'm not sure if this fits with your timeline. You can do the math.

If it ends up working out, and dates get full, still keep your NTS handy and constantly check Prometric. Chances are, people will panic and push their exams forward when it gets to exam dates for them. This will free up their spot for you. This worked for me for FAR and BEC.

Do you HAVE to wait for your final degree before you can sit? I think I recall a university friend who sat for BEC and this was while we were in school.

EDIT: Pay no attention to this last bit. MaLoTu has corrected me.

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[MaLoTu]

My friends application was denied because she didn't have a degree posted on her transcripts and the worse part was the denial came through the mail, not online, which only extended the process. the requirements to sit are 24 units acct/business and a bachelors degree https://www.calcpa.org/cpa-licensure/licensing-faqs/sitting-for-the-uniform-cpa-exam.

[TheHoundThatRides]

Thanks for the correction. My friend either took it out of state or was lying and trying to impress everybody.

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[RobertJason]

Thank you for the information. That helped a ton. Especially the tip about people cancelling and last minute spots opening up. Based on your experience (46-49 business days) I'm really pushing it. If the college finalizes degree conferral at “end of June” as they claim, that would be only 43 business days from the end of August. I think I'll schedule my study schedule around an October sit date.

I know some people wonder why it matters, end of Aug vs. beg of October. The main reason is I'll be starting with a firm in September and wanted to focus on FAR while unemployed. 🙂

Thanks for the advice!
Robert Jason

[Author]

Replies