Section 288-9-004 - Educational RequirementsPreface: The Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy is dedicated to insuring that the educational preparation of CPAs reflects a broad based educational program which incorporates the latest information and knowledge in the areas of accounting, auditing and general business as well as an understanding of the world and the relationships between business enterprises, government, and not- for-profit entities.
The Board will not furnish or prescribe specific curriculum which colleges or universities should adopt; rather it urges colleges and universities to adopt innovative approaches and programs designed to best meet the needs of the profession and society.
004.01CPA Candidates - For the Purpose of Nebraska Revised Statutes, Section 1-106 et. seq., as revised, the education requirements for certification, which must be met no later than the date of application for the candidate's first sitting for the Uniform CPA Examination, shall be a baccalaureate or higher degree which contains, as a minimum, 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours from an accredited college or university (as defined and specified in Title 288, Chapter 9-001 and 9-002).004.02Eligibility. The candidate will be required, as a condition of acceptance for sitting for the first time for the Uniform CPA Examination, to provide the Board or its designee with an official transcript or transcripts that show his or her postsecondary education program has included, as follows: 004.02A 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in accounting beyond principles of accounting. The subjects to be covered in these hours shall include, at a minimum: (1) Financial accounting theory and problems(2) Cost and managerial accounting(3) Tax preparation and planning(5) Accounting Information systems(6) Governmental and not-for-profit accounting.004.02B 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in general business. The subjects to be covered in these hours shall include, at a minimum: (1) Macro and microeconomics(7) Principles of accountingThe following subject areas are not required, but may be used as general business credit hours to meet this requirement:
(1) Business communication(2) Quantitative applications in business004.02C The remaining 90 semester or 135 quarter hours in general education and electives, which could include general business courses. The subjects to be covered in these hours shall include, at a minimum:(1) Oral and written communication skills(3) Arts, natural sciences, social sciences or humanities004.03 Any person making initial application to take the Uniform CPA examination shall be deemed to have met the educational requirement contained in the law and these rules if the applicant has earned a graduate degree in accounting from an accounting program or department that is accredited in accounting by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board.004.04 Review of Transcripts; Appropriate level of coursework; transfer hours. For purposes of meeting the educational requirements, an applicant's official transcript or transcripts shall be reviewed by the Board or its designee to determine if the applicant's educational program complies with the requirements of the law and these rules. In reviewing the transcript or transcripts, hours in courses which have contained the required subjects listed in 9-004.02A, B, and C which have been earned at a non-four year institution and are transferred to a four year institution shall be considered as acceptable in meeting the educational requirements. 004.04A A maximum of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of electives required under 9-004-02C can be earned at a two year institution after a four year degree has been granted. Any elective hours included on the four year degree transcript are not subject to the 12 semester or 18 quarter hour maximum rule.004.05Reciprocal Certificates. An applicant for a reciprocal certificate shall be deemed to have met the requirements of Nebraska Revised Statutes, Section 1-106, et. seq. if he or she meets the following conditions: 004.05A Holds a current and unrevoked certificate then in full force and effect in any state; and004.05B Has a postsecondary education which is substantially equivalent to the requirements contained in Nebraska Revised Statutes, Section 1-106, et. seq. The Board or its designee shall determine, based upon information provided by the applicant for a reciprocal certificate, if the applicant has education which is substantially equivalent to the requirements contained in Nebraska Revised Statutes. 004.06Application procedures. Any person making initial application to take the Uniform CPA Examination shall be required to submit an official transcript or transcripts showing that the applicant has satisfied the educational requirements as prescribed in these rules. The Board or its designee shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination. If the Board or its designee cannot readily determine that an applicant has satisfied the educational requirements as prescribed in these rules, notification shall be made to the applicant. The burden of showing that the applicant's educational records contain compliance with the educational requirements contained in these rules shall rest solely with the applicant. 288 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 9, § 004
Amended effective 10/31/2017Amended effective 9/22/2019