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The American Institute of CPAs is giving candidates for its Certified Information Technology Professional credential a chance to avoid the mandatory testing that begins in July. CPAs interested in receiving the designation can still obtain the certification if they apply by May 25. At the same time, the committee guiding the process is developing continuing education courses for the program.

Joel Lanz, who chairs the CITP committee, said both instruction and self-study CPE courses would be available, probably before the summer. He says that the goal of the program goes beyond simply giving members letters that they can put after their names. He wants to ensure that CPAs who are engaged in technology are on a par with other members of the firm, and not a "person who plays second fiddle," he says. "What I dream is that CPAs who are IT professionals are going to feel that they have the same shot at getting partnerships as do other members of the firm."

The certification is more than a decade old. But no one has been required to take test and CPAs could qualify solely based on experience. That is changing this summer. The registration deadline is July 20 with testing offered by Prometric between July 25 and August 31. The exam is $300 for IT section members, $400 for other AICPA members and $500 for nonmembers.

The Institute has introduced other new features to the program including The Complete Guide to the CITP Body of Knowledge, which is a self-study guide, and a CITP Exam Sponsorship program through which applicants can be reimbursed for a portion of the cost of the test. However, they must purchase guide.

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