Assessing Success on the Uniform CPA Exam: A Logit Approach

Abstract

In this study, the authors surveyed Indiana certified public accountant (CPA) candidates to investigate factors that may determine the likelihood of passing the Uniform CPA Exam. The authors used a logit model to test the likelihood of success in the exam as a function of factors such as undergraduate grade point average (GPA), credit hours, high school GPA, high school class size, age, high school rank, educational level, type of preparation, nature of experience, gender, and race. By and large, a full model and the models resulting from forward and backward stepwise selection indicated that undergraduate GPA, age, private accounting experience, and gender are significant determinants in success in the CPA exam.