CPA Exam , Licensure and AI Remain Top Issues

Are you staying informed and engaged with CalCPA and emerging professional issues ? The best way is to sign up and attend CalCPA ’ s Capitol Beat , Townhall and CEO Chat webinars . These webinars offer a platform for members to stay informed about the latest developments , gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the profession , learn about CalCPA ’ s efforts to advocate and lead the profession , and engage with influential leaders .

The intention of these free memberbenefit webinars is to help ensure CalCPA members are equipped with the knowledge needed to thrive and successfully serve their clients and the public . Find out more and register at calcpa . org / members .

CalCPA Recommends Regulations to Incorporate Extended Exam Testing Windows The CBA has been working on a key regulatory package to make necessary changes to facilitate the transition to the new iteration of the CPA Exam and implement early exam admission .

However , subsequent to the CBA initiating the regulatory proposal , the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy ( NASBA ) announced that it approved amendments to the Uniform Accountancy Act Model Rules ( Model Rules ) to increase the timeframe for a candidate to pass all parts of the Uniform CPA Exam from 18 months to 30 months .

This change follows significant input from profession stakeholders , including CalCPA and the CBA .

The longer period is intended to provide greater flexibility and latitude for candidates seeking licensure , while negotiating an increasingly complex career environment .

CalCPA filed a letter to the CBA to respectfully request that it consider amending the regulatory proposal that is already moving to include an increase in the timeframe for a candidate to pass all parts of the exam from the current 18-month period to 30 months .

CalCPA provided comments outlining shifts in how candidates begin their career in accounting that have complicated the ability to successfully pass all parts of the exam in a condensed timeframe . CalCPA commented that a longer testing window is a better reflection of the current realities within the profession and is a reasonable accommodation that provides more flexibility for candidates as they balance personal and professional obligations with their career aspirations .

Further , the extra time will keep more candidates in the pipeline and allow for a more relaxed testing process . Reducing stress and facilitating a healthier work-life balance leads to more productive employees , more prepared test-takers and a more positive experience with the profession .

Including this change will allow the CBA to maintain consistency with a key provision of the Model Rules and improve the exam and licensure experience for CPA candidates . CalCPA will continue to work with the CBA to incorporate the expanded testing window into a regulatory package that can be incorporated as effectively and efficiently as possible .

Efforts to Simplify Education Requirements for CPA Licensure The CBA has launched the Students Understanding the Requirement to be a CPA Project ( SURE CPA Project ). This multiyear project is intended to explore options to clarify the education requirements for CPA licensure by implementing solutions that will provide future CPA applicants , educational institutions , professional associations and other stakeholders with a better understanding of the requirements .

As a key stakeholder , CalCPA is working with the CBA to help facilitate input from academics , candidates , newly licensed CPAs and firm recruiters . One of the first components of the project includes getting feedback from candidates , academics and licensees through a survey . Members , particularly candidates and new licensees , are encouraged to review and submit information .

View and complete the survey on the CBA website at cba . ca . gov .

Focus Grows on AI Regulation California policy leaders are increasingly focusing their efforts on providing some state oversight of artificial intelligence programs and businesses that employ them . Some of the considerations would be to provide impact assessments and oversight over the developer and deployer of automated decision tools used in consequential decisions — including employment and financial services .

While congressional politics are likely to keep any significant AI policies , California leaders make take the opportunity to push to be a leader in setting up an AI regulatory framework and consumer safeguards . Gov . Newsom , in particular , has been interested in cautiously engaging in the issue and has been working with tech leaders in the space .

For CPA firms that may use AI or related technologies to service clients , this is an area to monitor .

Jason Fox is CalCPA ’ s vice president of government relations . You can reach him at jason . fox @ calcpa . org .

24 CALIFORNIA CPA AUGUST 2023 www . calcpa . org