The AICPA and NASBA have issued information about the changes coming to the CPA exam. They have released the new model curriculum which provides insight into the 3 core areas of the CPA exam content (broadly described as accounting, auditing and tax with a focus on IT and data) as well as the 3 discipline areas (accounting, IT and tax). The topics are broken out into modules and learning objectives for a new look at what we expect from the CPA of the future.
The AICPA has released its new CPA Exam Blueprint which outlines the format and content of the exam. Following a deep review of the topics covered in 2019, the Final Practice Analysis provides insights into the changes to the current exam. This update is much smaller than the expected impact of CPA Evolution which will overhaul the structure of the exam.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has proposed revisions to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) Model Rules. The AICPA has already approved CPA Evolution and thus now changes are needed to the UAA. The proposed revisions make changes to the educational requirements for sitting for the CPA exam. Changes include a focus on professional skepticism as well as data analytics. The goal is to encourage uniformity between states for licensure. Comments are due August 31, 2020.
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.
Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.
Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.
She also serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council, and the AICPA’s Women’s Initiative Executive Committee (WIEC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), the VSCPA’s Board of Directors, and is a past Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. In addition, Melisa is the author of Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic Accounting which is available on Amazon or anywhere you purchase books online.
Melisa received a Top 50 Women in Accounting Award in 2021 by Ignition, is a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient, and was honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.
