AICPA Exams

The AICPA and the CPA Evolution

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has governed the accounting profession in the United States since 1887. With over 400,000 members worldwide, the organization sets ethical guidelines, establishes U.S. auditing standards, and develops the Uniform CPA Examination.

In 2024, the AICPA overhauled the CPA exam, shifting to a Core plus Discipline model. Candidates must now pass three mandatory core sections and one specialized discipline section. While the format changed, the demand for core auditing skills did not.

Structure of the AUD Exam

The AUD: CPA Auditing and Attestation Exam serves as one of the three required core sections. It tests your ability to navigate the entire audit process, from planning an engagement to issuing the final audit report.

The exam runs four hours and contains 78 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and seven task-based simulations (TBSs). Your score splits evenly, with MCQs and TBSs each accounting for 50 percent of the final grade.

AUD divides its focus across four main content areas. You will face questions on ethics and professional responsibilities, which cover the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and independence rules. You must also demonstrate competence in assessing risk, performing audit procedures, and forming conclusions.

A Different Testing Mindset

Many professional exams ask you to recall facts or configure a specific system. AUD asks you to apply judgment.

The exam requires you to step into the shoes of an auditor in the field. You have to evaluate internal controls, identify areas of potential material misstatement, and determine the appropriate type of evidence needed to support an audit opinion.

AUD is the only section of the CPA exam that tests evaluation - the highest cognitive skill level on the AICPA's testing framework. You cannot rely on memorization to pass. You must analyze scenarios, weigh competing factors, and decide on the most appropriate course of action. If a company changes its revenue recognition policy, you need to know exactly how that alters your audit plan.

The Market for Auditors

The accounting profession is currently experiencing a severe shortage of qualified professionals. The AICPA reported a 33 percent drop in first-time CPA exam candidates between 2016 and 2021, and the trend has left public accounting firms scrambling to fill open roles.

Holding a CPA license proves you possess the technical competence and ethical grounding required to protect the public interest. The AUD exam specifically validates your ability to scrutinize financial records and internal controls. Employers rely on this credential when hiring for roles in public accounting, internal corporate auditing, and regulatory compliance.

A passing score on AUD shows hiring managers you understand how to gather evidence, apply professional skepticism, and issue an accurate audit opinion. You move beyond assembling financial data to verifying that the data actually reflects reality.