Passing the CPA or Certified Public Accounting Exams can be tough, but extremely rewarding. That CPA license will give your resume a great improvement and you will gain a tremendous amount of self-satisfaction on conquering a long and challenging process.

Before you take the CPA exam, you must meet all the requirements listed by your State board of Accountancy. That probably will include a minimum of a four-year degree and several accounting or business related classes. After you meet their requirements and they have reviewed your application, you will be issued a Notice To Sit (NTS). The NTS is your authorization to sit for the four parts of the CPA Exam.

While the exams are difficult, you will be able to pass the CPA exam on the first attempt with the right mind-set and significant preparation.

Here are several keys to pass the exam:

• Professional CPA exam review course is a must - Surely, there have been applicants who passed the CPA exam without using a professional review course, but I have never heard of one. While these courses are expensive, it will cost less than a few months of your potential salary increase after you have that CPA license. Do not let those costs stand in your way. Think of it as an investment in yourself, your family and your future.

• Rigorous Studying - Each exam can take one to three months to prepare for. It really depends on the amount of time that you are able to devote to the study plan. Definitely make time each day to studying. Look for time before work, at lunch, on the commute home, and in the evenings. Saturdays and Sundays are two of the best study days as several hours can be devoted with minimal interruptions.

• Devotion – Do not think that taking the CPA exam is a burden solely on you. Your friends and family will make significant sacrifices while you devote your time to the exams instead of them. As such, it is best to work with your family to tell them how much time you will need and that you need their help to pass. They will become your cheerleaders and your best advocates when things look bleak.

• Practice - The best tip is last. The number one key to success is to practice as many CPA exam questions as you can. Even if you have already answered all of the review questions provided by your CPA exam review course, you should take them again. Look online for thousands of other free exam questions as well. Learning how the AICPA question writers think and ask some tricky exam questions will prepare you for the actual questions on test day. Do not worry if you score extremely poorly on the sample questions. Just go back and review, research and learn why you got the question wrong. You will learn a lot from the questions you missed.

It is extremely rewarding experience to pass the CPA exam. It will definitely give you a great head start in your career and shows employers that you have the dedication, experience and tenacity to work through this entire process and come out a winner.

Don’t forget the best tip of all is to practice as many CPA Exam questions as you can.