ACAT Exam Development & Review Task

Help Shape the Future of the Profession

Join an ACAT Exam Development & Review Task Force

Professional credentials only have value when the profession trusts them.

That trust is built through rigor, relevance, fairness, and continuous improvement. To help preserve and strengthen the integrity of its credentialing programs, the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) is establishing credential-specific Exam Development and Review Task Forces composed exclusively of current credential holders.

These volunteer task forces will help review, refine, expand, validate, and strengthen the examinations associated with each ACAT credential. Because exam integrity is critically important, participation is limited to professionals who already hold the credential associated with the specific examination being reviewed.

This initiative gives credential holders the opportunity to directly influence the future of the profession while helping ensure that ACAT credentials continue to reflect practical competency, current industry expectations, and meaningful professional standards.

Why This Matters
The accounting and tax professions are evolving rapidly. Technology, regulation, client expectations, workflow systems, ethics considerations, and service models continue to change the knowledge and skills practitioners need to succeed.

Professional credentials must evolve as well.

ACAT examinations should reflect not only academic understanding, but the practical realities faced by professionals working with clients every day. The individuals best qualified to guide that process are the practitioners who actively hold and use these credentials in the real world.

By participating in an Exam Development & Review Task Force, volunteers help:

• Maintain the credibility and integrity of ACAT credentials
• Ensure examinations remain relevant and current
• Improve fairness, clarity, and quality of exam questions
• Identify outdated or unclear content
• Strengthen the reputation and recognition of the credential throughout the profession
• Protect the long-term value of the credential for all holders

What Volunteers Will Do
Task force members will work collaboratively with ACAT leadership and credentialing staff to support the ongoing improvement of credential examinations and related competency frameworks.

Volunteer activities may include:

• Reviewing existing exam questions for clarity, accuracy, and relevance
• Recommending updates to reflect current laws, technologies, workflows, and professional standards
• Suggesting new examination topics and competency areas
• Assisting in the development of additional exam questions and testing pools
• Identifying areas where exam coverage may be outdated or incomplete
• Participating in periodic virtual meetings and collaborative discussions
• Helping validate whether examination content appropriately reflects professional expectations for credential holders

Participants are not expected to be psychometricians or testing experts. ACAT is seeking practicing professionals who can contribute practical insight, professional judgment, and real-world perspective.

Time Commitment & Structure
The task forces are designed to be practical and manageable for working professionals.
While needs may vary by credential and project phase, volunteers can generally expect:

• Periodic virtual meetings
• Collaborative online review work
• Flexible participation schedules
• Opportunities to contribute based on expertise and availability

Some volunteers may prefer occasional review participation, while others may wish to take more active leadership roles within the task force structure.
ACAT values meaningful contribution over excessive time demands.

Who Should Volunteer?
The Board is seeking credential holders who:

• Believe strongly in professional standards and credential integrity
• Want to help strengthen the future of the profession
• Have practical experience in accounting, taxation, bookkeeping, or related services
• Enjoy collaboration and professional engagement
• Bring thoughtful, constructive insight
• Want to contribute to the advancement of fellow professionals

Volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, firm sizes, geographic regions, specialties, and experience levels are encouraged to participate.

What Volunteers Gain
Serving on an ACAT Exam Development & Review Task Force is also a valuable professional opportunity.
Participants gain:

• Greater involvement within the ACAT professional community
• Increased visibility among peers and industry leaders
• Leadership and committee experience
• Networking opportunities with fellow credential holders
• Direct influence on the future direction of the credential
• Professional recognition for helping strengthen the profession
• The satisfaction of contributing to the next generation of practitioners

Most importantly, volunteers help protect and enhance the long-term value and credibility of the credential they personally earned.

A Profession Built by Professionals
Strong professions are not built by organizations alone. They are built by practitioners who invest their knowledge, experience, and leadership into maintaining meaningful standards for those who follow.

The ACAT Board believes the future strength of its credentials depends upon engaged credential holders who are willing to help shape, improve, and protect them.

If you believe in the value of professional standards and want to play a role in strengthening the future of the accounting and tax profession, we encourage you to volunteer.

Express Your Interest
Interested credential holders are invited to submit:

• Their credential(s) held
• Professional background and areas of expertise
• Areas of interest related to exam development or review
• Any prior committee, leadership, teaching, mentoring, or professional service experience

Your experience and perspective can help ensure ACAT credentials continue to represent professionalism, competence, and trust throughout the profession.