Phdwiki - User contributions [en]

SAS Coding Help

2009-04-21T22:10:58Z

Spuhlmann: /* Websites to Help */ add some more SAS links

== Code ==
* [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1015021 How to Gather Data Using a Web Crawler: An Application Using SAS to Search Edgar] - interesting macro that can crawl Edgar reports for data.
* [[Basic Code]]
* [[Statistical Analysis]]
* [[Proc SQL]]

== Macros ==
* [http://www.psych.yorku.ca/lab/sas/macro.htm The basics of macros]
* [[Media:SAS_Macro_Quintiles.txt|Macro for grouping continuous variable into quintiles]]
* [[Media:WinsorizeMacro.txt|Winsorizing and trimming macro]]

==Replications==
* [[Media:BMNreplicate2.txt|Replication of Beaver, McNichols, Nelson RAS 2007]] "An Alternative Interpretation of the Discontinuity in Earnings Distributions"
* [[Media:DEAbyindustry.txt|A data envelopment analysis program]]
* [[Media:SimERETOperLev2.txt|A simple simulation examining the relation between earnings and returns]] with a lot of assumptions, just for fun
*[[Media:RSST2005_JAE.txt|Replication of Richardson, Sloan, Soliman, and Tuna (JAE 2005)]]
**[[Media:RSST2005_NoLink.xls|Partial output from replication of RSST(JAE 2005)]]

== Websites to Help ==
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/sas/ UCLA SAS help page] - UCLA has a list of resources for SAS coding
** [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/whatstat/default.htm What statistical test should I use] - In addition to explaining what test to use, page also provides information on how to perform test and interpret results using SAS, STATA, and SPSS software.
** [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/examples/default.htm UCLA SAS Textbook Examples] - This page includes examples and problems worked in SAS from more than 40 statistics textbooks.
* [http://www.bus.umich.edu/Academics/Departments/Accounting/nhafzall/default.htm University of Michigan SAS Site]
* [http://scott.dyreng.googlepages.com/sasprogramsandusefuldata A little code on Scott Dyreng's website].
* [http://javeeh.net/sasintro/intro1.html Introduction to SAS: Index] - Great resource for simple, straight forward explanation.
* [http://www.utexas.edu/cc/docs/stat53.html Factor analysis in SAS]
* [http://www.sconsig.com/sastip.htm SAS Consultant Special Interest Group] - This site offers tips and tricks for using SAS and running SAS macros and utilities.

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[Researching Resources]] ► [[SAS Coding Help]]
|}

SAS Coding Help

2009-04-21T22:00:30Z

Spuhlmann: /* Websites to Help */

== Code ==
* [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1015021 How to Gather Data Using a Web Crawler: An Application Using SAS to Search Edgar] - interesting macro that can crawl Edgar reports for data.
* [[Basic Code]]
* [[Statistical Analysis]]
* [[Proc SQL]]

== Macros ==
* [http://www.psych.yorku.ca/lab/sas/macro.htm The basics of macros]
* [[Media:SAS_Macro_Quintiles.txt|Macro for grouping continuous variable into quintiles]]
* [[Media:WinsorizeMacro.txt|Winsorizing and trimming macro]]

==Replications==
* [[Media:BMNreplicate2.txt|Replication of Beaver, McNichols, Nelson RAS 2007]] "An Alternative Interpretation of the Discontinuity in Earnings Distributions"
* [[Media:DEAbyindustry.txt|A data envelopment analysis program]]
* [[Media:SimERETOperLev2.txt|A simple simulation examining the relation between earnings and returns]] with a lot of assumptions, just for fun
*[[Media:RSST2005_JAE.txt|Replication of Richardson, Sloan, Soliman, and Tuna (JAE 2005)]]
**[[Media:RSST2005_NoLink.xls|Partial output from replication of RSST(JAE 2005)]]

== Websites to Help ==
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/sas/ UCLA SAS help page] - UCLA has a list of resources for SAS coding
** [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/whatstat/default.htm What statistical test should I use]. In addition to explaining what test to use, page also provides information on how to perform test and interpret results using SAS, STATA, and SPSS software.
* [http://www.bus.umich.edu/Academics/Departments/Accounting/nhafzall/default.htm University of Michigan SAS Site]
* [http://scott.dyreng.googlepages.com/sasprogramsandusefuldata A little code on Scott Dyreng's website].
* Great resource for simple, straight forward explanation. [http://javeeh.net/sasintro/intro1.html Introduction to SAS: Index]
* [http://www.utexas.edu/cc/docs/stat53.html Factor analysis in SAS]
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/examples/default.htm UCLA SAS Textbook Examples]. This page includes examples and problems worked in SAS from more than 40 statistics textbooks.
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/sas/default.htm Resources to help you learn and use SAS] This page is part of UCLA's Academic Technology Services.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[Researching Resources]] ► [[SAS Coding Help]]
|}

Talk:Econ 588: Econometrics

2009-04-21T21:43:33Z

Spuhlmann: talk on topic of individual course pages

Someone made a comment on [[Talk:What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]] that lead to the creation of this page. It could be helpful in compiling information on each course required or recommended for prep track students. Though, is this just rehashing information found elsewhere? - [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 15:43, 21 April 2009 (MDT)

Talk:What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-17T01:59:08Z

Spuhlmann:

Here are my thoughts for this page:

:It is my understanding that one of the purposes of the wiki is to help inform those considering the Prep Track route in the decision process. Many of the students in the Junior Core would like to enter the MAcc program, but have not made a decision on which of the MAcc options to pursue: professional, tax, and Ph.D. prep (Ph.D. prep is a track within either professional or tax).

:Only a portion of Prep Track students intend to pursue a Ph.D. right after finishing the MAcc here at BYU. Others plan to enter the business world first, after which they will consider pursuing a Ph.D.

:In my own analysis of the differences between the Ph.D. Prep Track and the Professional Routes, I have come to the conclusion that the main differences are found in the courses offered. In the Prep Track, the divergent 21 credit hours consist of economics, statistics, and academic research. In the Pro Route, the 21 credit hours consist of advanced tax, fraud, business research, corporate finance, and accounting elective courses. I have created an excel file showing my own analysis based upon the course lists for both routes ([http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:Ph.D._Prep_Track_versus_Prof_Route.xls comparison in Excel]).

:Currently, the accounting program’s web page has little information comparing the tax and professional routes with the prep track. Understanding how an increased understanding of economics and statistics helps in comparison to additional courses in tax, fraud, finance, etc. may help persuade potential prep track students to pursue the prep track rather than other MAcc options. These students may not decide to pursue a Ph.D. after finishing a MAcc, but they may appreciate and find additional economics and statistics classes interesting. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 16:15, 23 January 2009 (MST)

I would like to see your spreadsheet integrated into the page. That way people don't have to open the spreadsheet to understand what is going on. Also, we need to make it evident that the Prep track is within either the professional track or tax track. It is not a separate track. [[User:Daw44|Daw44]] 16:28, 23 January 2009 (MST)

Thanks for the input. It does seem easier to access and understand by integrating the spreadsheet. I'll take care of it. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 14:47, 24 January 2009 (MST)

How does it look so far? We can take down the comparison in Excel. - [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 18:38, 27 January 2009 (MST)

''The Ph.D. Prep Track requires that tax students take both Statistical Methods for Research (Stat 512) and Econometrics (Econ 588), whereas professional students may choose either one. Tax students must also have taken Calculus I (Math 112), whereas professional students may not. Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Reasearch Methodology (Acc 523). Also, Introduction to Academic Research (Acc 516) is worth 2.0 credit hours, not 3.0, for tax students which results in a subtotal of 30.0 and not 31.0 credit hours for the column.''

I'm not in the tax stem--but I just checked with a tax stem student and I'm pretty sure that some of the information above isn't correct. For example, tax stem students don't have to take both Stat 512 and Econ 588. Additionally, tax students don't have to take Math 112. Finally, Acc 516 is worth 3 credits for both tax and professional stem students. I'm giving this information based on how the current setup of the PhD Prep track. If these items indicate changes for the future, then you can disregard this message. - [[User:roys|roys]] 21:46, 27 January 2009 (MST)
:I agree. I think there are some errors. We need to get these corrected so we don't start any crazy myths. [[User:Daw44|Daw44]] 09:07, 29 January 2009 (MST)
::Thanks for letting us know. The original content was based on pdf's that are on the SOA website but that have not been updated. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 19:48, 31 January 2009 (MST)

Something that might be useful to current and future members of the Prep Track would be have information about each class listed. Creating a class specific page would allow students to view the names of the professors who have offered the class, the textbook used, the topics covered, the homework and reading load, and other information that might help a student when face with a decision about which class to take. Also, past Prep Track members could use this as a place to share their thoughts about how helpful this class was in really preparing them for a PhD program. [[User:jeff987|jeff987]] 12:22, April 15, 2009 (PST)
:Currently we have a [[What classes should I take?|page]] that does some of that for each course required/suggested for Prep Track students. Is that what you had in mind, or are you thinking more along the lines of a page for each specific class? This page and the [[What classes should I take?|"What classes should I take?" page]] are a little sparse on some of those things that you mentioned. Though, having a page for each specific class may be helpful. I came up with an example for [[Econ 588: Econometrics]]. - [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 19:35, 16 April 2009 (MDT)

What classes should I take?

2009-04-17T01:40:13Z

Spuhlmann: /* Economics */

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[Research Interests|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting [[analytical]], [[archival]], or [[experimental]] research.

===[[Analytical]] Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or a in economics and might consider spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===[[Archival]] Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class teaches the basics of SAS, a statistical software package commonly used in accounting research. While the class is only one credit, be prepared to dedicate a large block of time to it each week.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Prep Track at BYU|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]
* [[Graduate Statistics Minor]]
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]]
|}

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-17T01:39:34Z

Spuhlmann: /* Course Comparison */

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Learning Outcomes==
BYU has published the expected learning outcomes for both the [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Professional_Accountancy_MAcc professional] and [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Tax_MAcc tax] stems.

==Course Comparison==
The official list of courses can be found on the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ Marriott School] website. The class requirements differ for the professional (auditing) stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Pro%20PHD%20Prep%20Fall%202007%20PSL%20Revised.pdf here]) and tax stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Tax%20PhD%20Prep%20Track%20Fall%202007%20PSL.pdf here]).

The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the [[Main Page|Ph.D. prep track]] program coordinator to discuss specifics about courses.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||MBA 520|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Operations Management||MBA 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Organizational Behavior||MBA 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Marketing Management||MBA 550|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Management Seminar||MBA 593R|| 0.5 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Communications||MBA 509|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||Acc 453|| 3.0 ||x||||x||
|-
| Strategic Management||MBA 581|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||P Mgt 582|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 9.0 || 6.0 || 9.0 || 6.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||Acc 515|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||Acc 522|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Accounting Information Systems Risk and Control||Acc 525|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||Acc 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||Acc 531|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Professional Financial Accounting||Acc 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||Acc 541|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Fraud Prevention & Detection||Acc 550|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-9|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| |||||| 33.0 || 12.0 || - || -
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||Acc 503|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Advanced Taxation OR||Acc 522|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||Acc 523|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||Acc 560|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||Acc 561|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||Acc 562|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||Acc 563|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Estates, Gifts and Fiduciaries||Acc 564|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Elective 1||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||| x || x
|-
| Tax Elective 2||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| |||||| - || - || 33.0 || 12.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||Acc 516|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Academic Research Applications||Acc 517|| 1.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Readings & Conference||Acc 591R|| 2.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||Stat 511|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II OR||Stat 512|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| [[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econometrics]]||[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]|| 3.0 ||||||||
|-
| Statistics for Economists||Econ 378|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||Econ 380|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||Econ 381|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||Econ 388|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| |||||| - || 24.0 || - || 24.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''|||||| 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
|}

What classes should I take?

2009-04-17T01:37:41Z

Spuhlmann: /* Economics */ try suggestion by Jeff987

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[Research Interests|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting [[analytical]], [[archival]], or [[experimental]] research.

===[[Analytical]] Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or a in economics and might consider spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===[[Archival]] Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class teaches the basics of SAS, a statistical software package commonly used in accounting research. While the class is only one credit, be prepared to dedicate a large block of time to it each week.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''[[Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Prep Track at BYU|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]
* [[Graduate Statistics Minor]]
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]]
|}

Talk:What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-17T01:35:01Z

Spuhlmann: comment on suggestion by Jeff987

Here are my thoughts for this page:

:It is my understanding that one of the purposes of the wiki is to help inform those considering the Prep Track route in the decision process. Many of the students in the Junior Core would like to enter the MAcc program, but have not made a decision on which of the MAcc options to pursue: professional, tax, and Ph.D. prep (Ph.D. prep is a track within either professional or tax).

:Only a portion of Prep Track students intend to pursue a Ph.D. right after finishing the MAcc here at BYU. Others plan to enter the business world first, after which they will consider pursuing a Ph.D.

:In my own analysis of the differences between the Ph.D. Prep Track and the Professional Routes, I have come to the conclusion that the main differences are found in the courses offered. In the Prep Track, the divergent 21 credit hours consist of economics, statistics, and academic research. In the Pro Route, the 21 credit hours consist of advanced tax, fraud, business research, corporate finance, and accounting elective courses. I have created an excel file showing my own analysis based upon the course lists for both routes ([http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:Ph.D._Prep_Track_versus_Prof_Route.xls comparison in Excel]).

:Currently, the accounting program’s web page has little information comparing the tax and professional routes with the prep track. Understanding how an increased understanding of economics and statistics helps in comparison to additional courses in tax, fraud, finance, etc. may help persuade potential prep track students to pursue the prep track rather than other MAcc options. These students may not decide to pursue a Ph.D. after finishing a MAcc, but they may appreciate and find additional economics and statistics classes interesting. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 16:15, 23 January 2009 (MST)

I would like to see your spreadsheet integrated into the page. That way people don't have to open the spreadsheet to understand what is going on. Also, we need to make it evident that the Prep track is within either the professional track or tax track. It is not a separate track. [[User:Daw44|Daw44]] 16:28, 23 January 2009 (MST)

Thanks for the input. It does seem easier to access and understand by integrating the spreadsheet. I'll take care of it. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 14:47, 24 January 2009 (MST)

How does it look so far? We can take down the comparison in Excel. - [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 18:38, 27 January 2009 (MST)

''The Ph.D. Prep Track requires that tax students take both Statistical Methods for Research (Stat 512) and Econometrics (Econ 588), whereas professional students may choose either one. Tax students must also have taken Calculus I (Math 112), whereas professional students may not. Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Reasearch Methodology (Acc 523). Also, Introduction to Academic Research (Acc 516) is worth 2.0 credit hours, not 3.0, for tax students which results in a subtotal of 30.0 and not 31.0 credit hours for the column.''

I'm not in the tax stem--but I just checked with a tax stem student and I'm pretty sure that some of the information above isn't correct. For example, tax stem students don't have to take both Stat 512 and Econ 588. Additionally, tax students don't have to take Math 112. Finally, Acc 516 is worth 3 credits for both tax and professional stem students. I'm giving this information based on how the current setup of the PhD Prep track. If these items indicate changes for the future, then you can disregard this message. - [[User:roys|roys]] 21:46, 27 January 2009 (MST)
:I agree. I think there are some errors. We need to get these corrected so we don't start any crazy myths. [[User:Daw44|Daw44]] 09:07, 29 January 2009 (MST)
::Thanks for letting us know. The original content was based on pdf's that are on the SOA website but that have not been updated. [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 19:48, 31 January 2009 (MST)

Something that might be useful to current and future members of the Prep Track would be have information about each class listed. Creating a class specific page would allow students to view the names of the professors who have offered the class, the textbook used, the topics covered, the homework and reading load, and other information that might help a student when face with a decision about which class to take. Also, past Prep Track members could use this as a place to share their thoughts about how helpful this class was in really preparing them for a PhD program. [[User:jeff987|jeff987]] 12:22, April 15, 2009 (PST)
:Currently we have a [[What classes should I take?|page]] that does some of that for each course required/suggested for Prep Track students. Is that what you had in mind, or are you thinking more along the lines of a page for each specific class? This page and the [[What classes should I take?|"What classes should I take?" page]] are a little sparse on some of those things that you mentioned. Though, having a page for each specific class may be helpful. - [[User:Spuhlmann|Spuhlmann]] 19:35, 16 April 2009 (MDT)

Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A

2009-04-17T01:26:30Z

Spuhlmann: add question

{|style="width:100%;background-color:#AFBBC9;color:blue"
|-align="center"
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[[Image:Q&AHeader.jpg |626 px|left|Header1]]
|
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[[Image:ScottHeader1.jpg |248 px|right|Header2]]
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{| style="width:100%;border:1px solid #E4E7EA; background-color:#F6F5FA; color:blue;" align=center
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"

|-align="left"
! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Topics for Those Considering the Ph.D. Prep Track
|-
|
* [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
* [[Should I work in industry before getting a Ph.D.?]]
* [[What is life like as a doctoral student?]]
* [[What is life like as an accounting professor?]]
* [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.]]
* [[What classes should I take?]]
* [[How much do accounting professors make?]]
* [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]
* [[Am I cutting off options by deciding to do the Prep Track?]]
* [[What international opportunities are available to professors at US institutions?]]
|-align="left"
! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Ph.D. Prep Track Members- Preparing for Doctoral School
|-
|
* [[How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?]]
* [[Should I find a teaching opportunity before my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[Where can I find teaching opportunities?]]
* [http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~amarino/prin.htm Mathematics Review for Doctoral Students]
* [[How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?]]
* [[The CPA Exam|Should I take the CPA exam before entering a doctoral program?]]
* [[GMAT Suggestions|How should I prepare for the GMAT?]]
|-align="left"
! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Ph.D. Prep Track Members- Deciding on a School and Applying to a Doctoral Program
|-
|
* [[What Ph.D. program should I attend?]]
* [[What should I expect when I visit a campus?]]
* [[How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?]]
* [[The Application Process]]

|-
|}
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]
|}

__NOTOC__

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-14T19:54:35Z

Spuhlmann: add links to SOA learning outcomes

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Learning Outcomes==
BYU has published the expected learning outcomes for both the [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Professional_Accountancy_MAcc professional] and [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Tax_MAcc tax] stems.

==Course Comparison==
The official list of courses can be found on the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ Marriott School] website. The class requirements differ for the professional (auditing) stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Pro%20PHD%20Prep%20Fall%202007%20PSL%20Revised.pdf here]) and tax stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Tax%20PhD%20Prep%20Track%20Fall%202007%20PSL.pdf here]).

The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the [[Main Page|Ph.D. prep track]] program coordinator to discuss specifics about courses.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||MBA 520|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Operations Management||MBA 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Organizational Behavior||MBA 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Marketing Management||MBA 550|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Management Seminar||MBA 593R|| 0.5 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Communications||MBA 509|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||Acc 453|| 3.0 ||x||||x||
|-
| Strategic Management||MBA 581|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||P Mgt 582|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 9.0 || 6.0 || 9.0 || 6.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||Acc 515|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||Acc 522|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Accounting Information Systems Risk and Control||Acc 525|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||Acc 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||Acc 531|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Professional Financial Accounting||Acc 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||Acc 541|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Fraud Prevention & Detection||Acc 550|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-9|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| |||||| 33.0 || 12.0 || - || -
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||Acc 503|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Advanced Taxation OR||Acc 522|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||Acc 523|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||Acc 560|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||Acc 561|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||Acc 562|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||Acc 563|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Estates, Gifts and Fiduciaries||Acc 564|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Elective 1||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||| x || x
|-
| Tax Elective 2||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| |||||| - || - || 33.0 || 12.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||Acc 516|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Academic Research Applications||Acc 517|| 1.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Readings & Conference||Acc 591R|| 2.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||Stat 511|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II OR||Stat 512|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Econometrics||Econ 588|| 3.0 ||||||||
|-
| Statistics for Economists||Econ 378|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||Econ 380|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||Econ 381|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||Econ 388|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| |||||| - || 24.0 || - || 24.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''|||||| 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
|}

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-14T19:45:25Z

Spuhlmann: /* Course Comparison */ add content taken from Prep Track Course Requirement page

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Course Comparison==
The official list of courses can be found on the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ Marriott School] website. The class requirements differ for the professional (auditing) stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Pro%20PHD%20Prep%20Fall%202007%20PSL%20Revised.pdf here]) and tax stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/pdf/Tax%20PhD%20Prep%20Track%20Fall%202007%20PSL.pdf here]).

The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the [[Main Page|Ph.D. prep track]] program coordinator to discuss specifics about courses.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||MBA 520|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Operations Management||MBA 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Organizational Behavior||MBA 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Marketing Management||MBA 550|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Management Seminar||MBA 593R|| 0.5 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Communications||MBA 509|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||Acc 453|| 3.0 ||x||||x||
|-
| Strategic Management||MBA 581|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||P Mgt 582|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 9.0 || 6.0 || 9.0 || 6.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||Acc 515|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||Acc 522|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Accounting Information Systems Risk and Control||Acc 525|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||Acc 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||Acc 531|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Professional Financial Accounting||Acc 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||Acc 541|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Fraud Prevention & Detection||Acc 550|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-9|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| |||||| 33.0 || 12.0 || - || -
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||Acc 503|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Advanced Taxation OR||Acc 522|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||Acc 523|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||Acc 560|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||Acc 561|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||Acc 562|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||Acc 563|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Estates, Gifts and Fiduciaries||Acc 564|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Elective 1||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||| x || x
|-
| Tax Elective 2||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| |||||| - || - || 33.0 || 12.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||Acc 516|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Academic Research Applications||Acc 517|| 1.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Readings & Conference||Acc 591R|| 2.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||Stat 511|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II OR||Stat 512|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Econometrics||Econ 588|| 3.0 ||||||||
|-
| Statistics for Economists||Econ 378|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||Econ 380|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||Econ 381|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||Econ 388|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| |||||| - || 24.0 || - || 24.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''|||||| 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
|}

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2009-04-14T19:33:44Z

Spuhlmann: /* Course Comparison */ add link to course recommendations for each methodology

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Course Comparison==
The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the Prep track coordinator for all scheduling issues.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||MBA 520|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Operations Management||MBA 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Organizational Behavior||MBA 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Marketing Management||MBA 550|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Management Seminar||MBA 593R|| 0.5 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Communications||MBA 509|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5 || 15.5
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||Acc 453|| 3.0 ||x||||x||
|-
| Strategic Management||MBA 581|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||P Mgt 582|| 3.0 ||x||x||x||x
|-
| |||||| 9.0 || 6.0 || 9.0 || 6.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||Acc 515|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||Acc 522|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Accounting Information Systems Risk and Control||Acc 525|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||Acc 530|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||Acc 531|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Advanced Professional Financial Accounting||Acc 540|| 3.0 ||x||x||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||Acc 541|| 1.5 ||x||x||||
|-
| Fraud Prevention & Detection||Acc 550|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-9|| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 ||x||||||
|-
| |||||| 33.0 || 12.0 || - || -
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||Acc 503|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Advanced Taxation OR||Acc 522|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||Acc 523|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||Acc 560|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||Acc 561|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||Acc 562|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||Acc 563|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Taxation of Estates, Gifts and Fiduciaries||Acc 564|| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Tax Elective 1||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||| x || x
|-
| Tax Elective 2||Acc 5xx|| 3.0 |||||||| x
|-
| Elective 1|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 2 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| Elective 3 (Non-Accounting)|||| 3.0 |||||| x ||
|-
| |||||| - || - || 33.0 || 12.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||Acc 516|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Academic Research Applications||Acc 517|| 1.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Readings & Conference||Acc 591R|| 2.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||Stat 511|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II OR||Stat 512|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Econometrics||Econ 588|| 3.0 ||||||||
|-
| Statistics for Economists||Econ 378|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||Econ 380|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||Econ 381|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||Econ 388|| 3.0 ||||x||||x
|-
| |||||| - || 24.0 || - || 24.0
|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''|||||| 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5 || 57.5
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
|}

How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?

2009-04-10T01:57:18Z

Spuhlmann: /* Conclusion */

==How to Succeed in a Ph.D. Program==
(article contributed by [[Porter, Jason |Jason Porter]])

===Introduction===
Success in a Ph.D. program can be broken down into many things, most of which you already know from your work on your undergraduate and masters degrees. The most important element is work, and lots of it. Add to that dedication and perseverance and I think you’ve got the three most important elements for success, especially when you think of success as simply graduating. Other elements might include thinking outside of the box, listening to your instructors, doing your homework and all of the other study skills that you have learned so well by this time in your academic careers.

But success in a Ph.D. program isn’t really measured in terms of simply getting your degree. And, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t really measured in terms of publications or working papers either. True success in a Ph.D. program comes from developing your skills as a researcher and as a teacher. This means both developing the skills to succeed in those areas and developing yourself as an individual, because you can’t succeed in academia without the ability to come up with new ideas and relate to people.

Unfortunately, there is no magic pill you can take that will turn you into a good researcher or a good teacher. It requires lots of work, lots of practice, and lots of mistakes. Even though we don’t like to fail, we learn from our mistakes in ways that no other form of education can teach us. Perhaps that’s why we are born in the first place: to make mistakes in a relatively secure environment so that we can learn and develop. But whether that’s the purpose of life or not, that’s exactly the purpose of a Ph.D. program. You are going to learn a bunch of material and techniques through classes and seminars, and you will have opportunities to practice what you have learned. You’ll make mistakes, lots of them, but that’s okay. Everyone expects Ph.D. students to make mistakes as they slowly learn to do research and to teach. As long as you learn from those mistakes, preferably after only one or two instances, you’re going to eventually succeed, both in the Ph.D. program and in your life as an academic.

With that said, I can’t provide you with a list of all the mistakes you could make and how to avoid them. In all honesty, I wouldn’t provide it even if I could. You wouldn’t get as much from it as actually experiencing it for yourself. What I do want to do, however, if provide you with some ideas for making your life in the Ph.D program easier, to reduce the chances that you will make mistakes that will jeopardize your goal of walking across that stage and being hooded by your advisor.

===Ideas for Making your Ph.D. Program Easier===

'''1. Choose the program that is right for you.'''
The first step is choosing which program you should to attend. The articles on [[What Ph.D. program should I attend?]] and [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm Am I ready for a PhD Program? And, which program is right for me?] provide a number of important ideas to consider when you begin deciding which Ph.D. programs to apply for. I will add, however, one important factor that I think is missing: Make your decision a matter of prayer. Your choice will have important ramifications for you and your family, so you should get a confirmation that your logical choice is what the Lord wants for you. You will have far fewer problems if you start out in a place the Lord has prepared for you, than if you start somewhere else.

'''2. Study, study, study. '''
Many of us finish up the BYU Ph.D. prep track feeling pretty good about what we have learned. Because of that extra training, it is easy to go into your first set of classes thinking that you already know the material and can coast a little bit as you get started. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The classes at BYU are undergraduate or master’s level classes; they aren’t at the same level as what you are about to go through. That’s not to imply that they aren’t useful or that they won’t provide you with a good foundation for what you are about to learn, but they are not substitutes for the classes you are about to take. Your program is going to be challenging and rigorous, and you need to hit the ground running. Make it a habit to study right from the very beginning, and you’ll be much better off as you go through that first semester, and certainly as you move on from there.

'''3. Pass your comprehensive exams on the first round.'''
Many Ph.D. students, including me, have the horrible experience of learning that they have failed all or part of their comprehensive exams. Believe me, horrible doesn’t even begin to describe that initial feeling or the work that came with trying to prepare for a second round of tests. It was humiliating and exhausting, to say the least. So, take the time to study carefully and prepare fully. The article [[How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?]] has excellent advice for helping you get through this important test your first time.

That said, if you do mess up, take a deep breath. You can get through it, just like the rest of us did. In retrospect, it was a good experience for me. I think it made me a much more empathetic teacher (since it was my first true academic failure), and it taught me a lot about prayer, inspiration, and humility. I certainly wouldn’t go back and go through it again, but it didn’t end my career either. So, here are some ideas for what to do if you do fail. First, take a few minutes to talk to each of the professors that graded your answers. All of them will give you good advice if you are willing to humble yourself and ask for it. Don’t be confrontational, but be direct and ask good follow-up questions. Second, ask at least one of the senior professors, preferably your chosen advisor or the head of the Ph.D. program, whether the committee was trying to send you a signal about your academic future. Hopefully they will assure that they think you can do it and that you should try again. If not, then it is time to move on. Finally, study like mad! Use the advice the faculty gave you and improve your study techniques and your critical thinking. Try some practice exams, rewrite the questions you failed, read even more extensively than they asked you to read, and create a comprehensive framework that you can jot down when you first walk into that make-up exam. Then you’ll have all the citations you need all ready to go. Make passing the test your top priority, and you’ll be okay.

'''4. Choose a good advisor.'''
Our first, natural reaction is to choose the faculty member whose research interests most closely match what the type of research we want to do. That’s a good strategy, but don’t rely just on that one factor. Believe it or not, but you will spend the next couple of years completely at the mercy of your advisor. You are going to want someone who’s research interests are similar to yours, but you will also want someone with a personality you can work with. You might want to consider talking to someone he or she is currently working with or has worked with in the past. Get a feel for how they treat their students, if they change their mind every time they talk about something, and if they’ll fight for their students’ rights if necessary. Those are important factors to consider. Similarly, does the faculty member provide his or her students with a topic, or let the students come up with their own topics? Both methods have their pros and cons, which you will want to consider before making your choice.

You might also want to consider your prospective advisor’s research agenda and how many students he or she is currently working with. If your advisor is relatively free, he or she will be able to work with you much more closely, and will provide you with feedback more quickly. Several of my friends ended up spending more time at school than I did because their advisor was simply too busy to provide them with immediate feedback. In contrast, at one point, my advisor and I were turning over dissertation chapters multiple times each day right before graduation because she was willing to give me that much time and attention. Because of her help, I was able to finish up in four years, even with some major setbacks after the first year of working on my dissertation.

'''5. Get involved in the Church.'''
When my wife and I moved away from BYU, we were a little nervous about getting into a new ward. However, I think my Church service was the best part of my time in the Ph.D. program. We were living away from the center of the Church, and there were lots of opportunities to serve. No matter how bad my week at school was (and I had some REALLY bad days), I was able to recharge as I made time to serve the Lord. Somehow, the Lord made up for the time I was away from home and school, so I was still able to get done everything I needed and to learn and grow in the gospel. Make sure that it’s an important part of your life so that you will get those important blessings.

'''6. Take time for your family.'''
It is easy to get caught up in the day to day grind of going to school, reading papers, writing down ideas, slogging through data, etc. Add to that a calling, and you have some serious time commitments away from home. But your family life can be your most important anchor as you try to get through school. It can also be a time of enormous growth for you and your eternal companion. The time you spend in your Ph.D. program will be even more successful if you use it to improve your family traditions and relationships. Although you will often feel that you are terribly busy, it is going to get much worse as an assistant professor. Make sure to take the time, while still a student, to devote to your family and to establish traditions that will ensure you still take time once you leave your program and get onto a tenure clock.

'''7. Let yourself go (a little) crazy.'''
While you are working on your course work in the Ph.D. program, you will feel much like you do now. Classes will come and go, you will work hard, and you will feel like things are progressing along nicely. Then you will pass your comprehensive exams and begin to work on your dissertation. That’s when that wonderful feeling of progress will grind to a crushing halt. That’s not meant to discourage you. However, everyone I’ve ever spoken with had stretches during their dissertation work when they felt that nothing was happening. So be prepared for those feelings.

No matter how much you prepare, however, as the first year rolls by and you realize that you have spent a whole year on something that doesn’t seem to be coming together, you will start to feel just a little frustrated. That’s when it is time to do something a little crazy with your time for a while, if only to recharge your circuits. Let me give you some examples. I had one friend who served as a faculty advisor for his old fraternity. It got him out of the business building and let him counsel and work with younger students. He had great stories about the stupid things they were doing, and that kept him on a more even keel while he worked. Another Ph.D. student I knew got so sick of her dissertation that one night she came up with a plan to make her husband a professional golfer. She lined up sponsors, got a corporate credit card, and got him going. I’m not sure how successful he has been, but it served the purpose of giving her something to do that got her away from her dissertation. As for me, well, I wrote a novel. I started it early in the program as a gift for my wife. Money was tight at Christmas, and my wife is an avid reader. So, I started writing her a story, adding a little more to it each Christmas season. Towards the end of my first year working on my dissertation, however, I sort of snapped. So, I got out the book, and I finished it. I spent more time on it than I should have, but it got me away from my dissertation into something I could control, and that was just what I needed.

The bottom line is that you will find a need, somewhere in the middle of writing and researching your dissertation, to do something else. Let yourself branch out a little bit and do something a little nuts. After a while, you will have recharged your batteries and go back to work. You’ll probably find that you actually work harder and smarter after taking a bit of a break than if you just keep pushing. You’ll also find that you have learned some skills and developed some talents that will help you later on in your career and your life.

'''8. Learn to teach.'''
Most of the emphasis in your Ph.D. program will be on researching, but that’s not all there is to being an academic. Many students and new faculty think that the tenure decision is made exclusively, or almost exclusively, on publications, but that is not always the case. At many schools, especially those not in the top tier, your abilities in the classroom will also factor heavily into your promotion and tenure decision. This is especially true with the AACSB’s recent focus on teaching quality, assessment, and ‘closing the loop.’ Colleges and departments going up for ‘maintenance of accreditation’ spend a great deal of time worrying about teaching quality, which makes it all the more important for new, untenured faculty to be at least competent in the classroom.
On top of the accreditation emphasis, teaching can be very rewarding for new faculty members. Notes from students, good teaching evaluations, or visits from prior students can provide you with the positive feedback you need to deal with the often negative feedback from research (rejections, tough reviewer comments, attacks during presentations, etc.). Positive feedback from teaching provides a fortification against those negative vibes and reinforces our original desire to get into academia in the first place.

Hopefully your chosen Ph.D. program will give you the opportunity to teach several classes while you work on your degree. While this teaching will take away time that you would like to spend on your own studies and work, don’t just write it off as wasted time. Instead, take the time to try out new ideas and skills in the classroom. Since most faculty, and even students, at Ph.D. granting institutions expect Ph.D. students to be mediocre teachers at best, they will be more forgiving of your mistakes than will your department chair and students once you become a professor. Most schools have one or two ‘master teachers,’ teachers that are everyone’s favorite despite the workload in their classes. Once you have identified these powerful teachers (who may or may not be tenure track faculty), try to find a way to learn from them. You can try sitting in on their classes or chatting with them about the problems you are having in your teaching. Most good teachers are happy to help you improve your teaching, especially when they notice that you are implementing the hints they have passed on. That’s the real secret: try what they tell you, go back and tell them how it went, and they will open up even more. It can be a very rewarding relationship that will make a world of difference as you work to become a college instructor yourself.

Be careful not to go too far in your teaching practice, however. Trying a few new things and watching your favorite teachers is a good thing. Spending too much time on teaching can slow you down in the process of completing your degree. You don’t want to do that. Take some time to work on your teaching, but make sure that most of your time and effort continues to go into your studies or your research. Learning to teach as a Ph.D. student is rewarding, but teaching for a real salary (after you have finished your degree) is even more rewarding!

===Conclusion===
Life as a Ph.D. student is difficult; it is challenging; it is frustrating. But don’t allow that to keep you from trying or from bringing you down once you have begun. The rewards for completing your program are manifold. Not only will you get to teach and do research (both of which you will hopefully learn to enjoy), but you will also have a comfortable lifestyle, a good salary, and a very flexible schedule. In addition, there is nothing that can compare with that wonderful feeling of standing in front of a full auditorium and listening to your name being read while your advisor ‘hoods you’ and welcomes you into the select group of people who have completed their Ph.D.

The ideas and comments in this article are meant to provide you with some ideas to help you get through your program successfully. They aren’t meant to be a comprehensive list; not by a long shot. Anyone who has completed a Ph.D. has a list of those ideas and methods that worked for him or her, and all of those ideas and thoughts are just as valid as the ideas presented here. Everyone takes a slightly different path to successfully complete their Ph.D. program.

And that brings me to my very last bit of advice. You are beginning your Ph.D. program, make it whatever you want it to be. Learn to teach or focus solely on research; learn to do all sorts of research or just focus on the research that most interests you; start a million papers or just do your dissertation. It is your education, so focus on those things you want to get out of it. And then, as you finish up, find a few new Ph.D. students. Take them out to lunch and give them the ideas and the thoughts that worked for you, tell them how much you have learned and tell them not to get discouraged, build them up with all those things you have learned through your blood, sweat, and tears.

Then, enjoy a few minutes to yourself. Put on those fancy robes that you have now earned the right to wear and parade around in front of the mirror, or spend some time looking at that fancy frame with your degree in it. Better yet, introduce yourself to someone as “Dr. _________.” Other than the voices of your spouse and children, the first time you hear someone call you that will probably be the sweetest thing you have ever heard! And when all is said and done, that is success in a Ph.D. program.

==Other Useful Tips==

This is a question that is asked by every prospective Ph.D. student and there are many sources of advice. The best available advice on the internet is from fields other than accounting, but most of it applies to accounting. A list of helpful links and citations follow:
* [http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/grad-skool-rulz/ Orgtheory.net] has 21 blog posts describing "grad school rulz"
* [http://dinhvutrangngan.com/advice.html Ngan Dinh], of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program Vietnam Program of the Harvard School of Government, compiled advice from top economists for young economists
* Getting the Most from Your Doctoral Program: Advice for the Ph.D. Student in Finance, by Frank Alpert and Thomas H. Eyssell, Journal of Financial Education, Fall 1995

For your accounting seminars, two things helped me "excel." First, my classmates and I wrote a review of every paper we had to read and shared these with each other. That way when it was time for comprehensive exams, we did not have to reread every paper, but could reread the reviews. Our reviews followed a what, why, how framework taught by Bill Kinney. What is the research question? Why is it important? and How did the researcher answer the question? One thing I wish I would have done is after each class, I should have added one paragraph to each summary about how this research fits into the "bigger" picture and what are the main takeaways from the paper (understanding the main takeaways is much easier after you have discussed the paper).

The second idea is to volunteer to lead the discussion on the most difficult papers. This forces you to learn these papers and better prepares you for comprehensive exams and research in general. If you don't volunteer to lead the discussion you might be tempted to slack off on a difficult paper. At some point you are going to need to know the paper so by volunteering to lead the discussion you force yourself to learn the paper.

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
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! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?]]
|}

Why I didn't get a Ph.D.

2009-04-10T01:35:26Z

Spuhlmann:

==Jonathan Liljegren's Story==
I guess you could say I had everything going for me to get into a great doctoral program in accounting. I had started working on research with [[Christensen, Ted|Ted Christensen]] and [[Black, Erv|Erv Black]] before I left on my mission gathering data for their Pro-Forma Earnings analysis papers. After the junior core I began working as a research assistant to [[Glover, Steven|Steve Glover ]]and worked on a few papers. I had entered the PhD Prep track with every intention of pursuing a doctorate at a university that specialized in behavioral audit, but somewhere things changed. That somewhere was on Highway 101 in San Jose, California.

I had gone to San Jose to work for Ernst & Young during the summer. It was all part of my "Big Plan" to work in audit for a few years before going back to get my PhD (remember that I was an RA for [[Glover, Steven|Steve Glover]]). The only problem was after two weeks of auditing Hewlett Packard I realized on my commute home from Palo Alto on Highway 101 that auditing was not for me. I admit that my dislike for audit doesn't necessarily mean that I couldn't pursue a doctorate in accounting. However, I came to realize that the tools I had been given in this life would be put to greatest use in consulting. More importantly, I believe I would be a more enjoyable person after coming home from a consulting job versus coming home from an audit engagement. It is the old adage "''Choose a profession that you love and you will never work a day in your life.''"

In a way I should have seen it coming. My goal when I graduated from high school was to get my accounting degree from BYU and work as a consultant for Arthur Andersen in the Bay Area. Well, the dream of working for Arthur Andersen is never going to come true. But I did learn a lesson from my experience. As we are accepted to one of the best accounting programs in the ''universe'' we can lose sight of where we really want to go. Let me be clear that I really thought I wanted to be a professor, but the reason I was interested in becoming a professor was because I love to teach and I could do freelance consulting on the side. So in a way, my potential side job has now become my career.

There is still a possibility that I will return to a PhD Program someday but it would probably be a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA).

===My Advice===
* Auditing, consulting, or investment banking may be better options for you if you find yourself more interested in how the research could be implemented than actually doing the research.
* Consider just getting an economics minor in conjunction with your undergraduate accounting degree if you're not sure about a PhD ([[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?|course comparison]]). You can socialize with all of the Prep Track students in your economics classes and see if what they are talking about still interests you.
* You don't have to love accounting research or fully understand it at this point, but if the very thought of running regressions and digging through statistics the rest of your life makes your stomach churn then follow your gut and don't get a doctorate.

==Brad Gibb's Story==
My decision to not pursue a PhD was ''not'' based on a realization that I dislike what is involved in earning a PhD or the future career that it would allow me to have but instead it was based on the fact that I learned that I have other goals, desires, and passions that I enjoy ''more'' than a PhD. I originally entered the accounting program at BYU with no intent of ever being an accountant or getting a CPA. I entered because accounting, as I was told, is the language of business and I wanted to speak that language. I planned on eventually owning and operating a small business of some kind so some firsthand knowledge or the basics of business seemed like it would be useful to me. Additionally, the program was one of the best in the universe.

As I went through the Jr. Core, I was slowly lulled into believing, as one may easily be convinced, that all those with an accounting degree is destined to work for a Big 4 accounting firm. This was a short lived courtship and as soon as the opportunity of a PhD was presented, I was in. I knew I loved teaching, I knew I have the intellectual ability, and (maybe the most important) I didn't hate school. All of these made me think I would be a good candidate. The bonus to all this was the more I was exposed to research the more I enjoyed it.

Only one doubt remained. I knew I had an appetite for what I called ''the adrenaline'' of the business world. I knew I would miss the excitement of working on my own company and enchantment of what is the entrepreneurship spirit. The changing point in my decision began the summer before my last year. I quit my job keeping books for a company and along with my brother and two partners, began investing in real estate. Our small group's holding quickly grew and I began to feel the adrenaline that I was missing in the PhD world. From the investing in real estate, I began to see numerous other opportunities and began to see where I would be most happy. I began again to look outside accounting and realized there are many jobs that would build on the base of accounting I had acquired other skill sets that will eventually prove valuable to me.

Unfortunately, I made the decision to not get a PhD a bit late. It wasn't until the end of the fall semester, while others were preparing to take the GMAT, that I decided not to apply for a PhD. While there are still opportunities for work, most companies recruit for their most desirable jobs during the fall semesters.

At this point, the possibility of my coming back to do a PhD is not likely.

===My Advice===
* '''''Before you start your senior year''''' you need to decide whether or not you will pursue a doctorate degree immediately after graduation. If you wait until winter semester to decide that you don't want to pursue a doctorate program and instead would like to work you will have missed the key recruiting opportunities available in fall semester.
* Remember that your only choices are not between a PhD and the Big 4. Its not even between a PhD and public accounting. You are graduating from one of the premier business programs with many added skills that few other business students possess. There are many jobs in consulting, banking, finance, industry, and more that will build your skills, provide very well for your family, and will still allow you to have a life when you come home from work.
* Any career worth having (PhD included) will require an upfront sacrifice. Any career requires that you put in your time before you get the perks associated with that particular career. Putting in your time at a Big 4 will require 50 to 60 to 70 hrs weeks, and so will the 4 to 5 years that it takes to earn a PhD. Putting in your time at a company to work up the ladder, or at a bank to become a VP or even to start your own company will require a significant sacrifice. It need not consume you, but even a PhD will be 4 to 5 years of long weeks followed by years working hard to earn tenure. I agree with Jonathan. Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life. But don't choose a career because of the work/life balance ''alone''. Don't kid yourself that the PhD road will be easier than others. The thing that makes it easier is that those who make it through love it, not because it requires less of you.

==External Links==
* [http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/grad-school-rulz-21-when-to-quit/ Grad School Rulz] - This blog makes some interesting points about continuing in a PhD program. Many students wonder if a PhD program is right for them and this blog discusses some of the signs that a PhD program may not be right for you. Specifically, this blog addresses in the relevant decision making process while someone has been in a PhD program for some time of whether to remain in a PhD program or to discontinue doctoral studies.
----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.]]
|}

Phdwiki:General disclaimer

2009-04-10T01:24:45Z

Spuhlmann: update general disclaimer to include external sites

This site it put together by members and former members of the PhD preparation track at Brigham Young University. While every effort is made to convey accurate information, all errors are the responsibility of the individual poster of the information.

Linked content on sites external to the PhD preparation track are the responsibility of those who administer those sites.

Why I didn't get a Ph.D.

2009-04-07T22:43:43Z

Spuhlmann: know when to quit the doctoral program

==Jonathan Liljegren's Story==
I guess you could say I had everything going for me to get into a great doctoral program in accounting. I had started working on research with [[Christensen, Ted|Ted Christensen]] and [[Black, Erv|Erv Black]] before I left on my mission gathering data for their Pro-Forma Earnings analysis papers. After the junior core I began working as a research assistant to [[Glover, Steven|Steve Glover ]]and worked on a few papers. I had entered the PhD Prep track with every intention of pursuing a doctorate at a university that specialized in behavioral audit, but somewhere things changed. That somewhere was on Highway 101 in San Jose, California.

I had gone to San Jose to work for Ernst & Young during the summer. It was all part of my "Big Plan" to work in audit for a few years before going back to get my PhD (remember that I was an RA for [[Glover, Steven|Steve Glover]]). The only problem was after two weeks of auditing Hewlett Packard I realized on my commute home from Palo Alto on Highway 101 that auditing was not for me. I admit that my dislike for audit doesn't necessarily mean that I couldn't pursue a doctorate in accounting. However, I came to realize that the tools I had been given in this life would be put to greatest use in consulting. More importantly, I believe I would be a more enjoyable person after coming home from a consulting job versus coming home from an audit engagement. It is the old adage "''Choose a profession that you love and you will never work a day in your life.''"

In a way I should have seen it coming. My goal when I graduated from high school was to get my accounting degree from BYU and work as a consultant for Arthur Andersen in the Bay Area. Well, the dream of working for Arthur Andersen is never going to come true. But I did learn a lesson from my experience. As we are accepted to one of the best accounting programs in the ''universe'' we can lose sight of where we really want to go. Let me be clear that I really thought I wanted to be a professor, but the reason I was interested in becoming a professor was because I love to teach and I could do freelance consulting on the side. So in a way, my potential side job has now become my career.

There is still a possibility that I will return to a PhD Program someday but it would probably be a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA).

===My Advice===
* Auditing, consulting, or investment banking may be better options for you if you find yourself more interested in how the research could be implemented than actually doing the research.
* Consider just getting an economics minor in conjunction with your undergraduate accounting degree if you're not sure about a PhD ([[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?|course comparison]]). You can socialize with all of the Prep Track students in your economics classes and see if what they are talking about still interests you.
* You don't have to love accounting research or fully understand it at this point, but if the very thought of running regressions and digging through statistics the rest of your life makes your stomach churn then follow your gut and don't get a doctorate.

==Brad Gibb's Story==
My decision to not pursue a PhD was ''not'' based on a realization that I dislike what is involved in earning a PhD or the future career that it would allow me to have but instead it was based on the fact that I learned that I have other goals, desires, and passions that I enjoy ''more'' than a PhD. I originally entered the accounting program at BYU with no intent of ever being an accountant or getting a CPA. I entered because accounting, as I was told, is the language of business and I wanted to speak that language. I planned on eventually owning and operating a small business of some kind so some firsthand knowledge or the basics of business seemed like it would be useful to me. Additionally, the program was one of the best in the universe.

As I went through the Jr. Core, I was slowly lulled into believing, as one may easily be convinced, that all those with an accounting degree is destined to work for a Big 4 accounting firm. This was a short lived courtship and as soon as the opportunity of a PhD was presented, I was in. I knew I loved teaching, I knew I have the intellectual ability, and (maybe the most important) I didn't hate school. All of these made me think I would be a good candidate. The bonus to all this was the more I was exposed to research the more I enjoyed it.

Only one doubt remained. I knew I had an appetite for what I called ''the adrenaline'' of the business world. I knew I would miss the excitement of working on my own company and enchantment of what is the entrepreneurship spirit. The changing point in my decision began the summer before my last year. I quit my job keeping books for a company and along with my brother and two partners, began investing in real estate. Our small group's holding quickly grew and I began to feel the adrenaline that I was missing in the PhD world. From the investing in real estate, I began to see numerous other opportunities and began to see where I would be most happy. I began again to look outside accounting and realized there are many jobs that would build on the base of accounting I had acquired other skill sets that will eventually prove valuable to me.

Unfortunately, I made the decision to not get a PhD a bit late. It wasn't until the end of the fall semester, while others were preparing to take the GMAT, that I decided not to apply for a PhD. While there are still opportunities for work, most companies recruit for their most desirable jobs during the fall semesters.

At this point, the possibility of my coming back to do a PhD is not likely.

===My Advice===
* '''''Before you start your senior year''''' you need to decide whether or not you will pursue a doctorate degree immediately after graduation. If you wait until winter semester to decide that you don't want to pursue a doctorate program and instead would like to work you will have missed the key recruiting opportunities available in fall semester.
* Remember that your only choices are not between a PhD and the Big 4. Its not even between a PhD and public accounting. You are graduating from one of the premier business programs with many added skills that few other business students possess. There are many jobs in consulting, banking, finance, industry, and more that will build your skills, provide very well for your family, and will still allow you to have a life when you come home from work.
* Any career worth having (PhD included) will require an upfront sacrifice. Any career requires that you put in your time before you get the perks associated with that particular career. Putting in your time at a Big 4 will require 50 to 60 to 70 hrs weeks, and so will the 4 to 5 years that it takes to earn a PhD. Putting in your time at a company to work up the ladder, or at a bank to become a VP or even to start your own company will require a significant sacrifice. It need not consume you, but even a PhD will be 4 to 5 years of long weeks followed by years working hard to earn tenure. I agree with Jonathan. Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life. But don't choose a career because of the work/life balance ''alone''. Don't kid yourself that the PhD road will be easier than others. The thing that makes it easier is that those who make it through love it, not because it requires less of you.

==External Links==
* [http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/grad-school-rulz-21-when-to-quit/ Grad School Rulz] - This site has a blog that makes some interesting points about continuing in a PhD program. Many students wonder if a PhD program is right for them and this blog discusses some of the signs that a PhD program may not be right for you.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.]]
|}

Help:Contents

2009-04-07T22:18:46Z

Spuhlmann: Reverted edits by Spuhlmann (Talk); changed back to last version by Emetts

'''You must log in before you can edit this site.''' To edit these pages please request a user name by emailing [mailto:phdprep@byu.edu phdprep@byu.edu]. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

Want to help out see the [[Things that need to be done]] or list [[What else do you want to see on the site?]]. Not sure how to do it? See the "Getting started" section on this page.

===This Site===
The mswiki is viewable by anyone with a web browser, but can only be edited by current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students. The mswiki uses the freeware MediaWiki and is hosted on a campus server.

Current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students may obtain they own user name by sending an email to phdprep.byu@gmail.com. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

===Getting Started===
* Information about editing a wiki page
** '''Start here!''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:CHEAT Wiki Cheatsheet]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_edit_a_page How to edit a page]
*** [http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-edit-a-media-wiki-site-158692/ Video Showing the Basics of Editing]
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial Tutorial] - This tutorial provides a basic introduction of Mediawiki.
** [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Editing]
* WikiMedia Software
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* Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* Easy to use Excel-to-Wiki [http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~sdouglas/table.cgi converter]

====Other Helpful links:====
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/First_steps '''How to upload a file''']
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Images_and_other_uploaded_files '''Using uploaded files''']
* [[How to upload a file]]
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Help:Contents

2009-04-07T22:18:33Z

Spuhlmann: Undo revision 7635 by Spuhlmann (Talk)

'''You must log in before you can edit this site.''' To edit these pages please request a user name by emailing [mailto:phdprep@byu.edu phdprep@byu.edu]. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

Want to help out see the [[Things that need to be done]] or list [[What else do you want to see on the site?]]. Not sure how to do it? See the "Getting started" section on this page.

===This Site===
The mswiki is viewable by anyone with a web browser, but can only be edited by current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students. The mswiki uses the freeware MediaWiki and is hosted on a campus server.

Current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students may obtain they own user name by sending an email to phdprep.byu@gmail.com. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

===Getting Started===
* Information about editing a wiki page
** '''Start here!''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:CHEAT Wiki Cheatsheet]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_edit_a_page How to edit a page]
*** [http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-edit-a-media-wiki-site-158692/ Video Showing the Basics of Editing]
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial Tutorial] - This tutorial provides a basic introduction of Mediawiki.
** [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Editing]
* WikiMedia Software
** [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
** [http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* Easy to use Excel-to-Wiki [http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~sdouglas/table.cgi converter]

====Other Helpful links:====
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/First_steps '''How to upload a file''']
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Images_and_other_uploaded_files '''Using uploaded files''']
* [[How to upload a file]]

[[Test Page for Email Address Links]]
----
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Help:Contents

2009-04-07T22:18:01Z

Spuhlmann:

Help:Contents

2009-04-07T22:14:12Z

Spuhlmann: /* Other Helpful links: */

'''You must log in before you can edit this site.''' To edit these pages please request a user name by emailing [mailto:phdprep@byu.edu phdprep@byu.edu]. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

Want to help out see the [[Things that need to be done]] or list [[What else do you want to see on the site?]]. Not sure how to do it? See the "Getting started" section on this page.

===This Site===
The mswiki is viewable by anyone with a web browser, but can only be edited by current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students. The mswiki uses the freeware MediaWiki and is hosted on a campus server.

Current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students may obtain they own user name by sending an email to phdprep.byu@gmail.com. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

===Getting Started===
* Information about editing a wiki page
** '''Start here!''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:CHEAT Wiki Cheatsheet]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_edit_a_page How to edit a page]
*** [http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-edit-a-media-wiki-site-158692/ Video Showing the Basics of Editing]
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial Tutorial] - This tutorial provides a basic introduction of Mediawiki.
** [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Editing]
* WikiMedia Software
** [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
** [http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* Easy to use Excel-to-Wiki [http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~sdouglas/table.cgi converter]

====Other Helpful links:====
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/First_steps '''How to upload a file''']
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Images_and_other_uploaded_files '''Using uploaded files''']
* [[How to upload a file]]

[[Test Page for Email Address Links]]
----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Help:Contents]]
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Help:Contents

2009-04-07T22:13:57Z

Spuhlmann: create a test page to look at how to make links to email addresses on the wiki - see Ohio State's Page

'''You must log in before you can edit this site.''' To edit these pages please request a user name by emailing [mailto:phdprep@byu.edu phdprep@byu.edu]. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

Want to help out see the [[Things that need to be done]] or list [[What else do you want to see on the site?]]. Not sure how to do it? See the "Getting started" section on this page.

===This Site===
The mswiki is viewable by anyone with a web browser, but can only be edited by current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students. The mswiki uses the freeware MediaWiki and is hosted on a campus server.

Current and past Ph.D. Prep Track students may obtain they own user name by sending an email to phdprep.byu@gmail.com. Please include your desired user name and graduation date.

===Getting Started===
* Information about editing a wiki page
** '''Start here!''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:CHEAT Wiki Cheatsheet]
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_edit_a_page How to edit a page]
*** [http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-edit-a-media-wiki-site-158692/ Video Showing the Basics of Editing]
*** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial Tutorial] - This tutorial provides a basic introduction of Mediawiki.
** [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Editing]
* WikiMedia Software
** [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
** [http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* Easy to use Excel-to-Wiki [http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~sdouglas/table.cgi converter]

====Other Helpful links:====
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/First_steps '''How to upload a file''']
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Images_and_other_uploaded_files '''Using uploaded files''']
* [[How to upload a file]]

[Test Page for Email Address Links]
----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Help:Contents]]
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SAS Coding Help

2009-04-03T22:48:12Z

Spuhlmann: add crumbs

== Code ==
* [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1015021 How to Gather Data Using a Web Crawler: An Application Using SAS to Search Edgar] - interesting macro that can crawl Edgar reports for data.
* [[Basic Code]]
* [[Statistical Analysis]]
* [[Proc SQL]]

== Macros ==
* [http://www.psych.yorku.ca/lab/sas/macro.htm The basics of macros]
* [[Media:SAS_Macro_Quintiles.txt|Macro for grouping continuous variable into quintiles]]
* [[Media:WinsorizeMacro.txt|Winsorizing and trimming macro]]

==Replications==
* [[Media:BMNreplicate2.txt|Replication of Beaver, McNichols, Nelson RAS 2007]] "An Alternative Interpretation of the Discontinuity in Earnings Distributions"
* [[Media:DEAbyindustry.txt|A data envelopment analysis program]]
* [[Media:SimERETOperLev2.txt|A simple simulation examining the relation between earnings and returns]] with a lot of assumptions, just for fun
*[[Media:RSST2005_JAE.txt|Replication of Richardson, Sloan, Soliman, and Tuna (JAE 2005)]]
**[[Media:RSST2005_NoLink.xls|Partial output from replication of RSST(JAE 2005)]]

== Websites to Help ==
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/whatstat/default.htm What statistical test should I use]. In addition to explaining what test to use, page also provides information on how to perform test and interpret results using SAS, STATA, and SPSS software.
* [http://www.bus.umich.edu/Academics/Departments/Accounting/nhafzall/default.htm University of Michigan SAS Site]
* [http://scott.dyreng.googlepages.com/sasprogramsandusefuldata A little code on Scott Dyreng's website].
* Great resource for simple, straight forward explanation. [http://javeeh.net/sasintro/intro1.html Introduction to SAS: Index]
* [http://www.utexas.edu/cc/docs/stat53.html Factor analysis in SAS]
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/examples/default.htm UCLA SAS Textbook Examples]. This page includes examples and problems worked in SAS from more than 40 statistics textbooks.
* [http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/sas/default.htm Resources to help you learn and use SAS] This page is part of UCLA's Academic Technology Services.
----
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|-align="center"
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|}

Accounting Program Rankings

2009-04-03T22:42:14Z

Spuhlmann:

===Accounting Program Rankings===
[[Coyne, Joshua|Coyne]] et al. (2009) have a [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1337755 working paper] that ranks accounting research institutions. The paper ranks universities by topical area and methodology (see [[Research Interests]] for a discussion of different topical areas and methodologies). It also gives institutions credit only for publications of faculty currently employed at the institution.

'''Accounting Doctoral Programs Rankings'''

Ranking different institutions is difficult. In order to do so, one must determine what characteristics are desirable in an institution. There have been many different rankings based on many different things, and the purpose of this ranking is to combine all the rankings in order to demonstrate what program excels at all the different parameters defined in rankings, and not merely on one narrowly constructed characteristic. These rankings combine 5 different rankings (one for two different years) in order to get a list of the top programs, using such parameters of perceived quality of the institution by other academics, faculty productivity in the accounting and business journals, recent graduate research productivity, and quality of job placement upon graduation. These rankings take the top 25 schools in each ranking system. Then, every school on this list that was not included in the ranking is given a ranking of 26. In the end, these rankings subtract a schools added rankings from 156, and the school with the lowest score wins. These rankings use the following rankings:

'''''Public Accounting Report Annual Surveys from Years 2005 and 2006:''''' The trade journal The Public Accounting Report surveys faculty members and accounting firms, and these are the results of the survey. By including two years of data, this parameter is doubly weights, and, given the value of being highly regarded in the field, this seems reasonable.

'''''Number of Publications in Top Three Accounting Journals by Faculty:''''' This is from a database put together by the University of Texas at Dallas, and measures the number of faculty publications in the top three accounting journal from 1990 to 2007. It weights the publications for multiple authorship, and for the number of faculty at the school.

'''''Number of Publications in all major business journals by Faculty:''''' While accounting publications are important, most accounting faculty would be pleased with a hit in the Journal of Finance, for example. Thus, the overall productivity of a university in all business publications is important. This is from the same UT at Dallas database, but includes all major business publications.

'''''Larry Brown Productivity of Recent Graduates:''''' While productive faculty are important, one important measure of a PhD program is the productivity of the graduates of the program. Larry Brown ranks programs based on the number of publications of graduates of the institution in the top three accounting journals 5 years after graduation. This number involves graduates from 1995-1999.

'''''Placement Rankings from Stammerjohan and Hall (2001):''''' (Journal of Accounting Education
Volume 20, Issue 1, Winter 2002, Pages 1-27 ) This ranking considers placement from 1978 to 1997 from PhD programs in accounting. Institutions are ranked based on the quality of where their graduates go directly after graduation. The quality of the institutions where graduates go is gages based on US News and World Report: America's Best Colleges (1997).

As mentioned, rankings are a difficult construct, and there are certainly limitations to this methodology. Perhaps the most important is that some programs change over time, and as some of these rankings are based on how programs performed a decade ago, what was a very good program may have lost a lot of good faculty, and have subsequently become not as desirable (or vica versa).

The standard deviations of the 6 (the 5 distinct rankings, with one having two years) different rankings are reported. Notice that the schools with smaller standard deviations are more consistently ranked in that same spot throughout the different rankings, thus, while MIT shines on some rankings, its poor performance on others lands it at number 17, but with a high standard deviation.

To see the spreadsheet where I did all this (which includes all the rankings uncompiled, as well as schools that did not make the top 25), [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:Rankings_PhDprograms.xls Click here].

<TABLE FRAME=VOID CELLSPACING=0 COLS=3 RULES=NONE BORDER=0>

<TR>
<TD WIDTH=57 HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER>Rank</TD>
<TD WIDTH=71 ALIGN=CENTER>SD</TD>
<TD WIDTH=309 ALIGN=LEFT>University</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="1" SDNUM="1033;">1</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="2.78687399547713" SDNUM="1033;">2.79</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Chicago]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="2" SDNUM="1033;">2</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="3.68781778291715" SDNUM="1033;">3.69</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>Wharton School of the [[University of Pennsylvania]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="3" SDNUM="1033;">3</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="3.32665998663324" SDNUM="1033;">3.33</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Stanford University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="4" SDNUM="1033;">4</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="4.63680924774785" SDNUM="1033;">4.64</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Michigan]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="5" SDNUM="1033;">5</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.4233751915118" SDNUM="1033;">9.42</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Texas - Austin]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="6" SDNUM="1033;">6</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="6.06630035524124" SDNUM="1033;">6.07</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of North Carolina]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="7" SDNUM="1033;">7</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="8.16496580927726" SDNUM="1033;">8.16</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Northwestern University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="8" SDNUM="1033;">8</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="5.2820450584977" SDNUM="1033;">5.28</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Washington - Seattle]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9" SDNUM="1033;">9</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="7.67897562612792" SDNUM="1033;">7.68</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Harvard University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="10" SDNUM="1033;">10</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.38971068066885" SDNUM="1033;">9.39</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Cornell University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="11" SDNUM="1033;">11</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="7.92464510246358" SDNUM="1033;">7.92</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Southern California]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="12" SDNUM="1033;">12</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="8.82420912414629" SDNUM="1033;">8.82</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Illinois]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="13" SDNUM="1033;">13</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="11.0950439386241" SDNUM="1033;">11.1</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Rochester]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="13" SDNUM="1033;">13</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="7.79102047231298" SDNUM="1033;">7.79</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Iowa]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="15" SDNUM="1033;">15</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.52190457139047" SDNUM="1033;">9.52</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Indiana University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="15" SDNUM="1033;">15</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="5.7850381733111" SDNUM="1033;">5.79</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Michigan State University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="17" SDNUM="1033;">17</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.93478736561583" SDNUM="1033;">9.93</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="18" SDNUM="1033;">18</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="10.1275202624664" SDNUM="1033;">10.13</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[New York University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="19" SDNUM="1033;">19</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="4.03319558993445" SDNUM="1033;">4.03</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Penn State]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="20" SDNUM="1033;">20</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.07009739014233" SDNUM="1033;">9.07</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of California - Berkeley]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="21" SDNUM="1033;">21</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="8" SDNUM="1033;">8</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Columbia University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="22" SDNUM="1033;">22</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="5.68037557443754" SDNUM="1033;">5.68</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[The Ohio State University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="23" SDNUM="1033;">23</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="9.20326029187483" SDNUM="1033;">9.2</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[Duke University]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="24" SDNUM="1033;">24</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="6.05530070819498" SDNUM="1033;">6.06</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Arizona]]</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT=17 ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="25" SDNUM="1033;">25</TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER SDVAL="5.70672118354022" SDNUM="1033;">5.71</TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT>[[University of Minnesota]] at Twin Cities </TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

Another ranking is available from [http://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/areas/accounting/productivity.htm Duke University].

'''Location of Top Ph.D. Programs'''
For those of you who are interested in locations of the top Ph.D. programs in accounting, this map shows their rough locations. The top 9 are numbered in bigger stars and the rest are represented by smaller stars.

[[Image:PhD top 25 school locations.jpg]],
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{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[University Information]] ► [[Accounting Doctoral Program Rankings]]
|}

Top ranked accounting journals

2009-04-03T22:18:24Z

Spuhlmann:

==General Consensus of Accounting Journal Rankings==
===Top 3 Accounting Journals===
Every accounting school considers these journals as "A" hits. These are the consensus top journals in the discipline.

* The Accounting Review (TAR)
** Click [http://aaahq.org/pubs/acctrev.htm here] for submission information.
** Submission fee: $125 for AAA members, $200 for non-AAA members
* Journal of Accounting Research (JAR)
** Click [http://services.bepress.com/jar/ here] for submission information.
** Submission fee: $400
* Journal of Accounting and Economics (JAE)
** Click [http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/505556/authorinstructions here] for submission information.
** Submission fee: $350 for subscribers, $400 for nonsubscribers

===Next 3 Best Journals===
Some schools consider these journals as "A" hits and some consider them as "A-" hits. They are generally favorably viewed by all schools.

* Contemporary Accounting Research (CAR)
* Review of Accounting Studies (RAST)
* Accounting, Organisations and Society (AOS)

==Individual School Journal Rankings==
* [[Brigham Young University Journal Rankings]]
* [[Indiana University Journal Rankings]]
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{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[Researching Resources]] ► [[Top ranked accounting journals]]
|}

Top ranked accounting journals

2009-04-03T22:17:28Z

Spuhlmann:

Where can I find data?

2009-04-03T22:10:18Z

Spuhlmann:

Researchers obtain data in one of two ways: they either create their own data or collect data from prior events.

'''Creating Data:''' Most researchers in this category obtain their data by conducting controlled [[Experimental|experiments]]. Researchers can control the nature of the data they obtain through the design of the experiment. Survey work and field studies are also forms of data creation, but these two methods are not as common in top-tier publications.

'''Collecting Data:''' This form of data acquisition is generally referred to as “archival data.” Researchers often access [[archival]] data through databases such as Compustat, Audit Analytics, etc. Most research universities have access to a variety of databases. Researchers sometimes obtain archival data by hand-collecting information from public sources, such as companies’ filings with the SEC or firm-issued press releases. Finally, researchers sometimes obtain archival data through private sources. Organizations sometimes release proprietary data for researcher purposes, but this type of data is usually difficult to obtain without some inside connection to the desired organization.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[Where can I find data?]]
|}

Where can I learn about job openings?

2009-03-30T22:06:20Z

Spuhlmann: Add job listings

The most comprehensive listing of job openings for accounting professors is on AAA's [http://aaahq.org/placements/default_orig.cfm Placement Center]. Currently, the AAA is revamping its placement center website and will soon host its placement resource on a [http://aaahq.org/placements/default.cfm new page].

SSRN also maintains current [http://www.ssrn.com/update/arn/arnjob/arn_job.html professional job listings] on its website.

In addition, you can find job postings at the Chronicle's [http://chronicle.com/jobs/100/200/1000/ Careers] site. [http://chronicle.com The Chronicle of Higher Education] is an online source for news, information, and jobs for faculty members and administrators. Most of the jobs listed here are more teaching focused.

[http://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/search.cfm?JobCat=45 Higheredjobs.com] has a long list of open accounting faculty positions. Most of the jobs listed here are more teaching focused.
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{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Other Topics]] ► [[Where can I learn about job openings?]]
|}

Where can I learn about job openings?

2009-03-30T21:44:27Z

Spuhlmann: fix broken links

The most comprehensive listing of job openings for accounting professors is on AAA's [http://aaahq.org/placements/default_orig.cfm Placement Center]. Currently, the AAA is revamping its placement center website and will soon host its placement resource on a [http://aaahq.org/placements/default.cfm new page].

SSRN also maintains current [http://www.ssrn.com/update/arn/arnjob/arn_job.html professional job listings] on its website.

In addition, you can find job postings at the Chronicle's [http://chronicle.com/jobs/100/200/1000/ Careers] site. [http://chronicle.com The Chronicle of Higher Education] is an online source for news, information, and jobs for faculty members and administrators.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Other Topics]] ► [[Where can I learn about job openings?]]
|}

Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2009-03-30T21:38:49Z

Spuhlmann: /* External Links */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

Many doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
* [http://www.hbs.edu/doctoral/programs/dbavsphd.html Harvard Business School] - Harvard Business School, which offers both a DBA and a PhD, addresses the DBA vs. PhD question. Harvard's doctoral accounting students are enrolled in its DBA program.
* [http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php?topic=53160.0 Chronicle.com] - This is an online forum that specifically addresses the differences between PhDs and DBAs in Accounting.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
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|}

How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?

2009-03-27T04:56:39Z

Spuhlmann: create hyper links for sites listed

This is a question that is asked by every prospective Ph.D. student and there are many sources of advice. The best available advice on the internet is from fields other than accounting, but most of it applies to accounting. A list of helpful links and citations follow:
* [http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/grad-skool-rulz/ Orgtheory.net] has 21 blog posts describing "grad school rulz"
* [http://dinhvutrangngan.com/advice.html Ngan Dinh], of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program Vietnam Program of the Harvard School of Government, compiled advice from top economists for young economists
* Getting the Most from Your Doctoral Program: Advice for the Ph.D. Student in Finance, by Frank Alpert and Thomas H. Eyssell, Journal of Financial Education, Fall 1995
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?]]
|}

Teaching and Service

2009-03-25T22:55:40Z

Spuhlmann: add idea for the teaching page

{|style="width:100%;background-color:#AFBBC9;color:blue"
|-align="center"
|
[[Image:TeachingServiceHeader2.jpg |626 px|left|Header1]]
|
|
[[Image:TeachingServiceHeader1.jpg |248 px|right|Header2]]
|}
{| style="width:100%;border:1px solid #E4E7EA; background-color:#F6F5FA; color:blue;" align=center
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"

|-align="left"
! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Service
|-
|
* [[How to ask good questions in workshop]]
* [[How important is discussing papers and being a moderator at conferences?]]
* [[What conferences are the best to attend?]]
* [[What is a Ph.D. seminar really like, and how can I prepare?]]

|-align="left"
! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Teaching
|-
|
* [[What are effective ways to prepare to teach an accounting course?]]
* [[Accounting Humor]] - Great for the classroom
* [[Accounting Quotes]] - Great for the classroom
* [[Recommended Books]]
* [http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#motivating Teaching Tips] - The University of Hawaii has created a extensive guidebook to help improve teaching. Some of the tips listed cover topics such as designing courses, improving teaching techniques, teaching using questions, spotting plagiarism, and avoiding stress.
* [http://www.freeloadpress.com Freeload Press] provides free textbooks for students. Textbooks could be used for a course or alternatively as a test bank of ideas for homework, quizzes, or tests.
* [http://www.swlearning.com/accounting/car/gita.html Great Ideas for Teaching Accounting] - This site offers several ideas for teaching introductory financial and managerial accounting concepts. The examples are fairly basic, but they can be a good way to help students in early accounting courses understand important concepts.
* [[General Teaching Issues]]

|-
|}

__NOTOC__

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T22:47:12Z

Spuhlmann: /* How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials? */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
In addition to the following questions, which are geared towards future academics, the AICPA also answers some [http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Becoming+A+CPA.htm Frequently Asked Questions] regarding the CPA exam and the CPA credential. The official web page for the Uniform CPA Exam also answers many [http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer_faqs.html Frequently Asked Questions] about the exam itself.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
Without proper study materials, taking and passing the CPA exam may be difficult. In addition to buying the materials, there are many different ways to obtain study materials. Several options are available to the diligent seeker.

* [http://www.financialprep.com/ Financialprep.com] offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials from Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker and other test prep publishers) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but this is a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked for a recent Ph.D. Prep student who passed all four sections the first time is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at Utah Valley University has a current, full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab. The BYU library currently has limited materials in its collections.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours. Though, keep in mind that not all topics on the CPA exam are taught in the courses at BYU.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T22:20:30Z

Spuhlmann:

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
In addition to the following questions, which are geared towards future academics, the AICPA also answers some [http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Becoming+A+CPA.htm Frequently Asked Questions] regarding the CPA exam and the CPA credential. The official web page for the Uniform CPA Exam also answers many [http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer_faqs.html Frequently Asked Questions] about the exam itself.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

Accounting Humor

2009-03-25T22:07:51Z

Spuhlmann: add links to other accounting humor sites

== Comics ==
* [[Image:Big5.jpg]]

* [[Image:PorkandBeans.jpg]]

* [[Image:Comic.gif]]

* [[Image:SprintPCS.jpg |400 px|Enron Comic]]

== General Humor ==
* [http://www.despair.com/viewall.html Funny posters] that are a spoof on motivational posters.

== Jokes ==
This is a [http://www.tuckprofit.com/0611_vol2_iss3/0611famafrench.htm very funny article] about Ken French.

You Might Be An Accountant If...
* You refer to your child as Deduction 214
* You deduct Ex-lax as "moving expenses"
* You have no idea that GAP is also a clothing store
* Getting to sleep is an exciting event that you look forward to all day long
* Your idea of thrashing your hotel room is refusing to fill out the guest comment card
* You are doing it now because you checked the file and found that you did it last year
* You decide to change your name to a symbol and you choose the double underline "========"

== Videos ==
* This is perhaps one of the funniest accounting videos ever. I always show it on the first day of class to introductory accounting students, so they know what they are getting into. (See [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8428827001690074658 here]).
* How the market really works, just watch the first 2 minutes (See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_qK4g6ntM here]).
* If you students are struggling with small math errors, [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3069606245026550004 this video] is pretty funny.

==Links==
* [http://www.groco.com/readingroom/humor.aspx Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen, & Co.] - This San Francisco-based CPA firm has a great list of one-liners, David Letterman top tens, and other stories.
* [http://www.moormanharting.com/humor.htm Moorman Harting Financial Services] - This Ohio-based CPA firm has several one-liners and offers perplexing insights on tax preparation, such as, "Have you ever wondered why people are quick to brag about their income, but refuse to list it all on their income tax?"
* [http://www.taxhelp.net/AccountingHumor_000.htm Tax Help LP] - This site for a Texan CPA has several short stories and comics. One comic includes two mosquitoes about to dig in and one comments, "Sure, I believe in reincarnation--in my previous life I was an IRS agent."

__NOTOC__

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:18:33Z

Spuhlmann: /* FAQ */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
In addition to the following questions, which are geared towards future academics, the AICPA also answers some [http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Becoming+A+CPA.htm Frequently Asked Questions] regarding the CPA exam and the CPA credential. The official web page for the Uniform CPA Exam also answers many [http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/computer_faqs.html Frequently Asked Questions] about the exam itself.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:14:53Z

Spuhlmann: /* FAQ */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
In addition to the following questions, which are geared towards future academics, the AICPA also answers some [http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Becoming+A+CPA.htm Frequently Asked Questions] regarding the CPA exam and the CPA credential.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:12:25Z

Spuhlmann: /* How can I be a CPA without any work experience? */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:10:31Z

Spuhlmann:

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:

===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:05:29Z

Spuhlmann: /* Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:
===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-25T00:02:16Z

Spuhlmann: /* Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earnign the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:
===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T23:52:05Z

Spuhlmann: /* Exam Content */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==Exam Content==
Because of planned changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:
===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T23:20:42Z

Spuhlmann: /* Exam Content */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==Exam Content==
Because of proposed changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:
===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

===Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)===
The Financial Accounting and Reporting portion lasts 4.0 hours. The following five topics are part of this section:
# Conceptual Framework, Standards, Standard Setting and Presentation of Financial Statements (17-23%)
# Financial Statement Accounts: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation, Calculation, Presentation, and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Specific Transactions, Events and Disclosures (27-33%)
# Governmental Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)
# Not-for-Profit (Nongovernmental) Accounting and Reporting (8-12%)

===Regulation (REG)===
The Regulation portion lasts 3.0 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Ethics, Professional and Legal Responsibilities (15-19%)
# Business Law (17-21%)
# Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Accounting and Planning (11-15%)
# Federal Taxation of Property Transactions (12-16%)
# Federal Taxation of Individuals (13-19%)
# Federal Taxation of Entities (18-24%)

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T23:09:25Z

Spuhlmann:

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==Exam Content==
Because of proposed changes to IFRS for SEC filings, current exam content as of Spring 2009 includes the following sections:
===Auditing and Attestation (AUD)===
The Auditing and Attestation portion lasts 4.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Auditing and Attestation: Engagement Acceptance and Understanding the Assignment (12-16%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Understanding the Entity and Its Environment (including Internal Control) (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Performing Audit Procedures and Evaluating Evidence (16-20%)
# Auditing and Attestation: Evaluating Audit Findings, Communications and Reporting (16-20%)
# Accounting and Review Service Engagements (12-16%)
# Professional Responsibilities (including Ethics and Independence) (16-20%)

===Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)===
The Business Environment and Concepts portion lasts 2.5 hours. The following six topics are part of this section:
# Corporate Governance (16-20%)
# Economic Concepts and Analysis (16-20%)
# Financial Management (19-23%)
# Information Systems and Communication (15-19%)
# Strategic Planning (10-14%)
# Operations Management (12-16%)

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T22:43:30Z

Spuhlmann: /* FAQ */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T22:41:58Z

Spuhlmann: /* How can I be a CPA without any work experience? */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with state's own Board of Accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-24T22:36:23Z

Spuhlmann: /* How can I be a CPA without any work experience? */

==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
===Reasons to get the CPA designation===
* May add credibility in the classroom (this is an [[Research Ideas|empirical question]] :-)
* Some schools want you to have professional certifications (usually the more teaching oriented schools).
* May help to secure consulting opportunities in the profession.
* Gives you credibility with practitioners.
* If you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment.
* Useful for expert witnessing or being on a corporate board.

===Reasons not to get the CPA designation===
* Time may be better spent early in a career on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness.
* It can be a hassle to keep up on CPE credit.
* Some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time (i.e., you are not a serious researcher).

==FAQ==
===Should I get my CPA? If so, when?===
This is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit or tax. However, regardless of research interests, it can't hurt to get a CPA license. It's relatively cheap and you'll never be more prepared than you are when leaving BYU. It won't close any doors, but you never know what doors it may open.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Others allow substitution of additional education for experience.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
* There are many different ways to obtain study materials. For example, http://www.financialprep.com/ offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is very sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials off of Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker themselves) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked (passed all four sections first time) for a recent Ph.D. Prep student is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at the Utah Valley University has a current and full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there, or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

==External Links==
For additional information, take a look at the following websites:
* [http://www.cpa-exam.org/ The Uniform CPA Exam] - This is the official site for the CPA exam. It has a lot of information about the CPA exam itself. Also, interestingly enough, it contains press bulletins listing passing rates for each of the four portions for the past several quarters (currently about 50%).
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Certified_Public_Accountant_Examination Wikipedia: The CPA Exam] - This is a great resource that describes the actual examination process.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant Wikipedia: Certified Public Accountant] - This resource explains a little bit about what CPA's do. Additionally, it contains links to many international professional accounting organizations.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Certified_Public_Accountants Wikipedia: AICPA] - This site explains some of the basics about the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which is the professional organization for CPA's in the United States.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_State_Boards_of_Accountancy Wikipedia: NASBA] - This site explains some of the basics about the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which is the umbrella group of state boards of accountancy.
* [http://www.nasba.org/ NASBA] - The official website for NASBA.
* [http://www.aicpa.org/ AICPA] - The official website for the AICPA.

The CPA Exam

2009-03-23T23:06:37Z

Spuhlmann: /* What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam? */

The CPA Exam

2009-03-23T22:58:06Z

Spuhlmann: /* Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state? */

The CPA Exam

2009-03-23T22:57:40Z

Spuhlmann: /* Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state? */

The CPA Exam

2009-03-23T22:54:49Z

Spuhlmann: /* What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam? */