This weekend, Western Michigan University will be one of the few universities in the country where current and future accountants will get a sneak preview of the new computer-based Uniform CPA Examination.

More than 60 Western Michigan University accounting majors and accountants from around the state will sit Friday and Saturday, March 14-15, for the pre-test of the new computerized Uniform CPA exam. Participants may choose to take any or all of the exam's four sections.

The Uniform CPA Exam is one required step to becoming a Certified Public Accountant in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A computer-based version of the formerly paper-only test is being tried out around the nation as the testing agency, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, prepares to go completely paperless in December 2003. WMU was required to meet stringent site security, information technology and other participation requirements before being approved to offer the computerized pre-test, which includes multiple-choice questions and case studies.

"The CPA exam has not been changed in decades and this is a major overhaul," says Dr. Jack Ruhl, chairperson of WMU's Department of Accountancy. "We're pleased to be the only university in the state of Michigan working with AICPA to offer the pre-test. It provides an excellent opportunity for our students and professionals from around the state to experience first hand what the new exam will be like."