The three Core areas are:

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD) – This section covers knowledge of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards and other standards related to attest engagements and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – This section covers knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
• Regulation (REG) – This section covers knowledge of federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities and business law and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.

The three Disciplines are:

• Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) will assess knowledge and skills a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate with respect to analyzing financial statements and financial information (including the use of data), select technical accounting and reporting requirements applicable to for-profit business entities (e.g., stock compensation, business combinations, derivatives) and higher-order skills related to revenue recognition and lease accounting, and state and local government accounting and reporting requirements.
• Information Systems and Controls (ISC) will assess knowledge and skills a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate with respect to IT audit and advisory services, including SOC engagements, as well as data management, including data collection, storage and usage throughout the data life cycle.
• Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) will assess knowledge and skills a newly licensed CPA must demonstrate with respect to U.S. federal tax compliance for individuals and entities with a focus on nonroutine and higher complexity transactions, U.S. federal tax planning for individuals and entities, and personal financial planning.