In an email sent on January 14, the AICPA asked for the names and contact information of those who have not taken the CPA exam and are willing to participate in the interviews. The email said the professional should be located in the United States and be one to three years removed from graduation. The 10- to 15-minute telephone interview will be conducted by a third-party research moderator.

Names, phone numbers and email addresses of willing participants must be sent to mmoya@aicpa.com no later than January 28.

The project, led by the CPA Exam Research Task Force, a joint effort by AICPA, NASBA and Prometric, seeks "to improve the CPA examination experience." The interviews will help the Task Force "research and analyze prospective CPA candidates' attitudes towards pursuing the CPA credential and taking the computerized CPA exam."

The interviews are projected to take place during this month and into February. The results of the study and other research pertaining to the CPA exam will be incorporated in a report to be finalized by April 1, 2005.  The report will not include specific responses or names of participants; all participant information will be kept confidential.