CPA EXAM REVIEW COURSE CATALOG AND POLICIES WWW.BECKER.COM November 12, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS: VISION & COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING:... 3 Vision:... 3 Our Commitment to Lifelong Learning:... 3 GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION:... 3 Administrative office address:... 3 CPE Credit Policy:... 3 Eligibility to Sit for the CPA Exam:... 3 Course Overview:... 4 Study Formats:... 4 Tuition and Fees:... 4 Calendar, Schedules and Instructors:... 5 Live Format Classroom Facilities:... 5 Entrance Requirements:... 5 Student Records:... 5 Disability Accommodations:... 5 Personal Conduct:... 5 Placement Assistance:... 5 Previous Credit:... 6 Academic Progress:... 6 Attendance:... 6 Make-up Classes:... 6 LICENSE AGREEMENT:... 6 REPEAT POLICY:... 7 The Becker Promise:... 7 Returning Students:... 7 STATE SPECIFIC INFORMATION & STUDENT FEEDBACK:... 8 COURSE POLICIES... 9 Registration Policies:... 9 Schedule Change Guidelines:... 9 Cancellations and Refunds:... 10 Refunds:... 10 Non-Refundable Items... 11 Savings Verification... 11 Direct Bill Students Format Change Policy:... 11 PUBLICITY WAIVER AND RELEASE DISCLOSURE:... 11 2 P a g e
VISION & COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING: Vision: A global leader in quality professional education, empowering people to advance their careers. Our Commitment to Lifelong Learning: For more than 50 years, Becker Professional Education has been helping professionals advance their careers in Accounting, Project Management and Healthcare. Our product and service offerings include: CPA Exam Review, ACCA Exam preparation, PMP Exam Review, USMLE Exam Review and Continuing Professional Education courses. Becker Professional Education is part of DeVry Education Group. GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION: Administrative office address: Becker Professional Education 3005 Highland Parkway Downers Grove, IL 60515 800-868-3900 CPE Credit Policy: Becker Professional Education is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org. The four sections of Becker's CPA course are an overview to help individuals prepare for the state-administered CPA Examination. Students receive CPE credit for attending group live classes only; make-up work will not be accepted. No advanced preparation is required. Please refer to entrance requirements for additional information. CPE certificate will be issued to students with 100% attendance. Eligibility to Sit for the CPA Exam: It is the CPA Exam candidate s responsibility to determine whether the state mandated requirements to earn a CPA credential have been met. These requirements may vary by state and include, but are not limited to, educational course hour minimums, residency, and work experience requirements, etc. Learn more about your state exam sitting requirements. 3 P a g e
Course Overview: Auditing This course includes 20 hours of instruction* and prepares students to pass the Auditing and Attestation section of the CPA Exam. Topics cover auditing procedures, auditing standards generally accepted in the United States (GAAS) and other standards related to auditing and attestation engagements; accounting and review service engagements; and professional responsibilities. Business This course includes 20 hours of instruction* and prepares students to pass the Business Environment and Concepts section of the CPA Exam. Content focuses on corporate governance; economic concepts essential to understanding an entity s operation, business and industry; financial management; information systems and communication; and strategic planning and operations management. Financial This course includes 36 hours of instruction* and prepares students to pass the Financial Accounting and Reporting section of the CPA Exam. Content covers generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) that affects business enterprises, not-forprofit organizations and government entities. Regulation This course includes 28 hours of instruction* and prepares students to pass the Regulation section of the CPA Exam. Topics include federal taxation of individuals, property transactions and entities; ethics, professional and legal responsibilities; the federal tax process, procedures, accounting and planning; and business law, as well as skills needed to apply that knowledge. *Hours of instruction represent allotted schedule time for live classes. Actual hours may vary. Study Formats: Becker Professional Education offers students a choice of two study formats: Live and Online. Tuition and Fees: Tuition for Becker s complete four-section CPA Exam review course $3,393 or $1,131 per individual part and includes lectures, textbooks and course software (valid through June 30, 2016). Special pricing may be available if you have affiliations with firms, associations, or government agencies. 4 P a g e
Calendar, Schedules and Instructors: Becker Professional Education posts class schedules to becker.com. Visit the website frequently because schedules may change. Live Format Classroom Facilities: To enhance live instruction, the course is delivered via instructor led, multimedia presentation using high-density projectors and computers, utilizing a wireless mouse, and controlled by the most current multimedia software. Students are provided with all necessary materials including textbooks and software. All instruction is provided in English. Entrance Requirements: Students may enroll in courses at any time and there are no prerequisites. The word student shall be construed to mean the student himself, if the student is the party to the contract, or another person, if the other person is the party to the contract on behalf of the student. Student Records: All student records are retained for a minimum of five years. Retained information includes exam levels, dates of attendance and completion, payments and refunds, and any eligibility information provided by the student. For information about obtaining records, write or call the Becker Student Services Manager, 3005 Highland Parkway, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Telephone: 800-868-3900. Strictly limited access to student records ensures confidentiality. Disability Accommodations: Accommodations for students with disabilities are available. Students with special requirements are encouraged to call 800-868-3900 and request to be transferred to Becker s National Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator as far in advance of starting classes as possible to arrange for a consultation. Personal Conduct: Becker Professional Education expects all students to exhibit mature behavior and personal conduct consistent with the highest business standards. Placement Assistance: Becker Professional Education does not offer placement assistance. 5 P a g e
Previous Credit: Becker does not grant credit for previous education, training, or experience. The training period may be shortened by the student selecting any one or a combination of the four exam sections offered. Academic Progress: The purpose of Becker s CPA Exam Review is to prepare students for the CPA Exam. Therefore, Becker does not issue grades, track academic progress nor award degrees or diplomas at course completion. Refer to the section titled CPE credit policy, for information about continuing professional education credit for CPAs. Attendance: Attendance is defined as attending a live classroom lecture or viewing a pre-recorded lecture. Because attendance is required for eligibility for The Becker Promise and CPE, Becker tracks attendance through lecture activity downloads or attendance rosters at Live classes. Make-up Classes: Live Format and Cohort Program Students: In the event you miss a class, you may view the prerecorded lectures that are provided to you with your course material. Make-up work is not accepted as CPE credit. See CPE credit policy. LICENSE AGREEMENT: These goods and services for preparation for the CPA Exam, in connection with Becker Professional Education, are not for sale and are not being sold to you. You may only acquire a license to use such materials. This license and your course materials will expire at the end of 18 months from the date of first login or 24 months from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first. The terms and conditions of this license can be found in the materials that will be sent to you. Any and all notes and lectures given to and any notes taken by an applicant in Becker s CPA Exam Review are to be used by the applicant and no one else. The teaching methods and methodologies contained in the materials supplied are confidential and proprietary to Becker Professional Education and are not to be transferred or divulged to any other person by resale of the materials or otherwise. 6 P a g e
REPEAT POLICY: The Becker Promise: Our Promise? To provide students with the utmost opportunity to pass the CPA Exam by using Becker's comprehensive materials and time tested learning approach. Students that utilize Becker but do not pass the CPA Exam, may repeat the review course at no additional tuition cost if students satisfy Becker's requirements, paying only a material license fee ($195 per section, including applicable taxes). To be eligible for the Becker Promise, students must: LIVE FORMAT students must successfully complete 90% of all course software multiple-choice questions for each section and attend 100% of the classes, including the at home lecture, either in-person or via the pre-recorded lectures. Live format students meeting the criteria must print out their performance summary report from the course software and submit it to Becker within 45 days following the completion of the last scheduled class of each individual section. ONLINE FORMAT students must successfully complete 90% of all course software multiplechoice questions for each section and view 100% of the pre-recorded lectures as indicated on the performance summary. Online students meeting the criteria must print out their performance summary report from the course software and submit it to Becker within 365 days from the original purchase date of the course materials. COHORT PROGRAM students must successfully complete 90% of all course software multiplechoice questions for each section and must show proof of viewing 100% of the lectures, either online or via the pre-recorded lectures. Cohort instructors will submit a list of eligible Becker Promise tuition waiver students to the Becker administrative group shortly after the course deadline. ALL FORMATS: Students that meet the above requirements, may repeat the course 100% without tuition charge, via any format that is offered by Becker at the time the student redeems the tuition waiver and begins the course. However, students must pay a material and license fee ($195 per section) for each section taken. The material license fees for the Becker Promise tuition waiver are non-refundable. This tuition waiver expires 365 days after the day that positive correspondence of earned Becker Promise status is e-mailed to the student. If students do not qualify for Becker Promise tuition waiver, each section of the course may be repeated once for 50% of the regular tuition (returning student savings). See returning student policy for additional details. Returning Students: Returning Becker students who do not qualify for The Becker Promise receive a 50 percent tuition savings on the purchase of a new Becker course. 7 P a g e
STATE SPECIFIC INFORMATION & STUDENT FEEDBACK: Arkansas: Write or call: Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education, 501 Woodlane, Suite 312, Little Rock, AR, 72201, 501-683-8000. Information contained in this catalog remains effective for the duration of the forthcoming licensing year. The Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education will be notified in the event of changes to this catalog. Kansas: For complaints contact Kansas Board of Regents, Private & Out-of-State Postsecondary Education, 1000 SW Jackson St., Ste. 520, Topeka, KS 66612 Kentucky: To file a complaint with the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education, each person filing must submit a completed Form to File a Complaint (PE-24) to the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education by mail to Capital Plaza Tower, Room 302, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. This form can be found on the website at www.kcpe.ky.gov Kentucky Candidates Student Protection Fund: KRS 165A.450 requires each school licensed by the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary to contribute to a Student Protection Fund which will be used to pay off debt incurred due to the closing of a school, discontinuance of a program, loss of license, or loss of accreditation by a school or program. To file a claim against the Student Protection Fund, each person filing must submit a completed Form for Claims Against the Student Protection Fund. This form can be found on the website at www.kcpe.ky.gov. Louisiana: Write or call with complaint: Louisiana Board of Regents, Proprietary Schools Section, PO Box 3677, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677, 225-342-7084. Becker Professional Education classrooms are located in New Orleans and are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and adhere to the rules and regulations of the Louisiana Proprietary Schools Advisory Commission. Louisiana Cancellation Policy: All monies paid by an applicant will be refunded if the student cancels enrollment within three business days after signing a registration form and making an initial payment. Nebraska: Write or call with complaint: Nebraska Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools and Veterans Education, 301 Centennial Mall South, Box 94987, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4987, (402) 471-2295. Nevada: Write or call with complaint: Nevada Commission on Post-Secondary Education, 3663 East Sunset Road, Suite 202, Las Vegas, NV 89120, 702-486-7330. The school will pay State Reporting fees. 8 P a g e
New Mexico Students: The school will pay the State Reporting fees. Oklahoma Students: Becker Professional Education is licensed by Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, 700 N. Classen Blvd. #250, Oklahoma City, OK, 73118. Classroom locations: DeVry University Lake Pointe Towers, 4013 NW Expressway, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK, 73116; Oral Roberts University Grad. Center, Room 3114, 7777 S. Lewis, Tulsa, OK, 74136; University of Oklahoma, 307 West Brooks, Room 200, Norman, OK 73019. COURSE POLICIES Registration Policies: (Applicable to Live, Cohort and Online CPA Exam Review formats) Upon initial registration students must enroll in all four CPA Exam Review sections and complete all four sections in a 12 month period. Students enrolled in one or more sections starting past the 12-month period will be required to re-enroll as a returning student and will be charged 50% of the current tuition plus applicable fees for those sections. Within the 12 month period from initial registration, students may change the course format, delivery method or sequence of the CPA Exam Review sections. No charge will apply for the first change; however, a $195 administrative fee will apply to all subsequent changes. Any sales tax charge resulting from a format switch to the Online format after the original order is the responsibility of the student. The new class sequence or format must begin within the original 12-month period from the date of purchase (Online) or the original start date (Live format or Cohort program). Schedule Change Guidelines: Live and Cohort Program Must contact Becker within 5 business days of the start of the scheduled class for format or schedule changes. Online must contact Becker within one year of purchase for a format change. NOTE: All software expires 18 months from the date of first login or 24 months from the date of purchase, whichever comes first. 9 P a g e
Cancellations and Refunds: To cancel your enrollment and receive a refund, contact Becker Professional Education at 800-868-3900. Only refunds meeting the following requirements will be processed. All returns must be sent to: Becker Professional Education, Attn: Becker Returns, 80 Internationale Blvd, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. All refunds are contingent upon the return of all textbooks that were shipped to the student within 10 days of notification of withdrawal. Students must also contact Becker for a Return Materials Authorization number prior to shipping returns. Students should ship materials by certified mail or an alternative traceable method. Flashcards and the material license fees for the Becker Promise are non-refundable. The cost to return materials is the responsibility of the student. Refunds will be made within 30 days following receipt of cancellation notice. Nonreceipt of shipment disputes must be made with 45 days of original purchase date. For Online CPA Exam Review Course and CPA Final Review course students*, a full tuition refund (less any applicable savings and fees) will be issued within 10 days of initial purchase or first login, whichever comes first. For Live Format and Cohort Program CPA Review students*, a full tuition refund (minus all applicable savings) will be issued to students who withdraw on or before the 5th business day after the start date of the first scheduled section. Thereafter, no refund will be issued. For Atlanta Intensive and Final Review students*, a full tuition refund (minus all applicable savings) will be issued to students who withdraw on or before the 2nd class of the first scheduled section. Thereafter, no refund will be issued. (* Applicable in all states except those noted below.) The following cancellation policy is applicable for students in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and West Virginia: If cancellation occurs within 3 business days of registration, all monies paid by the student will be refunded even if classes have already started. Refunds: A full tuition refund (minus all applicable savings and fees) will be issued to students who withdraw on or before the 5th business day after the start date of the first scheduled section; thereafter, students are entitled to a prorated refund (minus all applicable savings and fees) for the unused portion through 60% of the section taken (75% in Arkansas and DC). Refund example: The refund for a candidate who withdraws after completing 12 hours (3 sessions) of Audit classes will be calculated as follows: 10 P a g e
Amount Paid $1131.00 Amount to be Prorated $1131.00 8 Hours Canceled / 20 Hours Scheduled X $1131.00 = $452.00 (Amount Refunded) Residents are not required to submit written notification of withdrawal. Non-Refundable Items: Charges for Flashcards, Supplemental Multiple-Choice Questions, 0% Financing Processing Fee and the Becker Promise material license fee are non-refundable. Savings Verification: (Applies to all CPA Exam Review formats) If applying for a savings, appropriate verification is required prior to conclusion of course; if not received by course end, full tuition will be charged without further notice. Direct Bill Students Format Change Policy: A $195 administrative change fee will be charged and billed to the student beginning with the 2nd change and will apply to all subsequent changes. Additionally, any sales tax charge resulting from a format switch to the Online format after the original order becomes the responsibility of the student and will not be direct billed to the firm. This includes taxes incurred as a result of the one complimentary switch. (Sales tax is not charged on the Live format and the Cohort program, but must be charged on the Online format). Direct Bill Format Change Please note that some firms require students to attend Live classes. PUBLICITY WAIVER AND RELEASE DISCLOSURE: By enrolling in this course, the student: (1) grants to Becker Professional Education its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, agents, licensees and designees (collectively, Becker ), including their successors and assigns, the absolute, royalty free, irrevocable, worldwide, right and permission, with respect to any testimonial (written or oral), photographs, film, video or other images, or sound recordings taken by Becker: (a) To use, re-use, publish, re-publish, copy, modify, display and create derivative works in whole or in section, individually or in conjunction with other photographs, images, recordings or testimonials in any medium (including without limitation, in print and on the Internet) and for any purpose whatsoever, including, without limitation in advertising, marketing, publications, electronic distribution, and the Internet and for any other commercial purpose; and (b) To use the student s name in connection therewith if Becker so chooses; and (c) To copyright the same in the name of Becker, or any other name that Becker may chose. 11 P a g e
and (2) waives any and all rights to such photographs, film, video or other images, sound recordings, or testimonial and assigns all such rights to Becker. If the student is under the age of 18, the parent or legal guardian s signature indicates that he/ she and the student have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms of this disclosure. The student understands that there will be no compensation for the permitted use of any testimonial (written or oral), photographs, film, video or other images, or sound recordings taken by Becker or of the student s name. The student releases and discharges Becker, its successors, assigns and any designee (including any agency, client, broadcaster, periodical or other publication) from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of such photographs, film, video or other images, sound recordings, or testimonial, including but not limited to any claims for defamation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, emotional distress or any similar right. Furthermore, the student represents and warrants that any testimonial given is original and does not infringe upon copyright or proprietary rights of another person or entity. 12 P a g e