CPA: Course, Full form, Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Jobs

The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) course is basically a globally recognised professional certification in Accounting and Finance, which is administered by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

The CPA course covers various topics such as auditing, taxation, business law and financial accounting.

The answer to "How to become a CPA?" is that, first you need a bachelor's degree in Accounting and related filed. Then you need to have a 150 hours of coursework in accounting, business, and related areas. 

After this you need to pass the Uniform CPA Examination and gain two years of public accounting experience.

There is no such fixed duration as the whole CPA journey is about passing the rigourous four-part CPA exam. But if we have to estimate then many candidates take 6 to 18 months to prepare and pass the exams. Even after clearing exams the candidates then need to gain some 2 years of professional experience. 

These are the accountants who practice in English-speaking countries. CPAs have certified skills in auditing, taxation, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis. They need to complete 40 hours long continuing professional education (CPE) every year based on the state board requirements.

CPAs work in various settings such as public accounting firms, government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organisations. They also offer services like auditing financial statements, financial consulting, tax planning and preparation, and business valuation. 

All CPAs are accountants but not necessarily all accountants are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The difference between accountants and CPAs are education, experience and opportunity. To become a CPA, candidates need to pass the uniform CPA exam. Receiving CPA certification distinguishes one from other business professionals.

To earn the prestige associated with the CPA license, an individual is required to demonstrate knowledge and competence by meeting high educational standards, passing the CPA exam, and completing a specific amount of general accounting experience.

The two most important aspects of becoming a CPA are passing the Uniform CPA Exam and meeting licensing requirements in the state where you want to practice. As for CPA eligibility, you need 120 credits to appear for the CPA exam and 150 credits for a CPA license. General rule: Every year of university education in India is equivalent to 30-semester credits of US education.

Some state boards award credit for international professional qualifications like CA. For international CPA candidates from India, generally 3-year commerce graduates from NAAC A universities who have scored a 1 st division are awarded 120 credits.

Hi, You need to check the entry requirements for respective provinces as an international applicant, so choose your place first, and then register for the PreCPA program. Other option is to apply for a Diploma in professional accounting and study for 2 years, and simultaneously you can go for CPA training. 

If you want to become a CPA firstly by passing the CPA Exam, plan on obtaining a Bachelor's degree in accounting (typically at least 120 semester hours) as well as a Master's degree in accounting or taxation (typically at least 30 semester hour.

CPAs are required in all areas of the business world:

Financial / International Accounting Corporate Finance (M&A, IPO, Share & Debt Issues) Venture Capital Assurance and Attest Services Internal Auditing Information Technology (especially as applied to accounting and auditing) Management Consulting & Performance Management Financial Planning Financial Analysis Tax Preparation and Planning Income Tax Estate Planning Corporate Governance

Yes, you can pursue CPA in India. As for CPA eligibility, you need 120 credits to appear for CPA exam and 150 credits for CPA license.

General rule: 

• Every year of university education in India is equivalent to 30-semester credits of US education.
• Some state boards award credit for international professional qualifications like CA.
• For international CPA candidates from India, generally 3-year commerce graduates from NAAC A universities who have scored a 1 st division are awarded 120 credits.

The benefits of pursuing CPA certification are given below:

• Candidates can set up their own accounting, finance and tax practice

• One can work in the industry as accounts, finance manager or tax manager at entry level or mid-level

• Candidates can specialise further in CPA, CMA, CFE, CIA, CFP, CFA, etc.

CPA is globally recogniosed professional certificate which can open doors for various avenues, plus it also provides an advanced knowledge of areas such as taxation, audit, and financial planning. Many employers, especially in multinational corporations and accounting firms, prefer or require CPA certification for certain roles.  

To do CPA in India you need to follow below steps:

• Meet academic requirements (Bachelor's degree in related fields and 150 hours of college credit).
• Clear the CPA Exam (4 sections including, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Regulation, Business Concepts).
• Gain professional experience of 2 years under a CPA.
• Apply for Licensure from your state's board of accountancy. 

To become a Certified Public Accountant CPA you typically need to meet the educational and experience requirements set by the state or jurisdiction where you want to practice.

Each state or jurisdiction has its own Board of Accountancy which regulates the CPA licensing process. You should check with the Board of Accountancy in the state or jurisdiction where you want to practice to determine their specific requirements for CPA licensure.

In summary, to apply for CPA you should research and determine the specific requirements set by the Board of Accountancy in the state or jurisdiction where you want to practice, and then follow their guidelines for application and exam registration.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a license issued in 55 states or territories of the United States that authorizes the holder to practice as a CPA in that jurisdiction. To earn the prestige associated with the CPA license, an individual is required to demonstrate knowledge and competence by meeting high educational standards, passing the CPA exam, and completing a specific amount of general accounting experience.

The two most important aspects of becoming a CPA are passing the Uniform CPA Exam and meeting licensing requirements in the state where you want to practice. It is a short duration course with just 4 exams, which can be completed in less than a year's time.

There are 4 subjects taught in the course, namely:

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Regulation (REG)
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 

CPA exam in India is conducted in eight cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum. The CPA exam is a four-part exam that is administered in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and Spanish. The exam is offered year-round, and candidates can schedule their exams online.

You must pass all four sections of the CPA Exam within 18 months. Each sections is divided into four hours and consists of Multiple Choice Questions and Task based simulations.

Yes, passing the CPA Exam has a time constraint. You have an 18-month opportunity to pass each component of the exam. This implies you have 18 months to complete all four parts of the exam. If you do not pass all four portions within 18 months, you must start over and retake the sections you failed.

Four components make up the CPA test. To analyse the capabilities of candidates, these components have been specifically selected. A candidate must complete each section within the allotted 18 months for testing. During a single open testing time, candidates may take any portion in any sequence. Students are permitted to take as many examinations as they want during the same window, but they are not permitted to take the same portion twice.

Also Read: Career opportunities after acquiring CFA, CPA, CIMA qualifications

The four steps are thenmain process

1. Check Your Eligibility for Taking the CPA Exam. According to me you are eligible.

2. Submit CPA Exam Application and Fees

3.Receive Authorization to Test (ATT)

4. Verify the Information on Your Notice To Schedule (NTS)

5. Schedule Your CPA Exam Section

You can do this through your State Board of Accountancy or through NASBA’s (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s) CPA Central portal (for those states that use CPA Central to process applications).

The CPA exam application fee is typically between $100-200 depending on the state.

Yes, CPA course is available in India, it is offered by the following institutes as shown in the table below:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website/counselling body and may vary.

CA is a better option for those who wants to work in India in accounts departments of various organisations, while CPA suits those who wants to work internationally especially US. 

Candidates can check the CPA fee below:

Registration for CPA is open throughout the year. Students can enrol anytime for the exam. Students need to submit the application form after ensuring their eligibility. If eligible, the candidates can send their official transcripts to the state board. Then, they can submit the fee and schedule the exams. To be eligible to take the CPA exam in India, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Have a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field

• Have 150 hours of coursework in accounting, business, and other related subjects

• Pass the Uniform CPA Examination

• Have two years of public accounting experience

The demand for CPA has considerably grown in recent times with the substantial growth in MNCs and the Big4s in India. This shift in the trend is because of the requirement of knowledge and credibility about US GAAP, IFRS & US taxation by these multinational companies.

Indian qualifications like Chartered Accountant CA have limited geographical recognition and do not cover topics like IFRS & US GAAP. This increases the demand for CPA candidates in India. The demand has increased than the supply and that forced the MNCs and the Big 4s to train their CAs as CPAs. In other words, they give extensive training on the US GAAP, taxation, and the IFRS to their existing employees who are a qualified Chartered Accountant from the ICAI. For such training, the corporations approach Educational institutes like Miles Education, who are the experts in the industry in relation to the US GAAP & the IFRS.

Hi Ravi,

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is the statutory title awarded to qualified accountants in the US who cleared the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. Candidates should meet additional state education and experience requirements to become a certified CPA.

CPA programme deals with accounting and financial insights which are applicable in accounting and auditing services, taxation, consulting, research etc. In India, this is a relatively new qualification, however; ICFAI has established the CPA Council of India to develop and regulate the CPA profession on sound ethical lines.

Career Prospects: After completion of the CPA programme, you can find openings in Banking and Financial services sector and practice areas like finance, mergers & acquisitions, risk management and consulting. Hope it helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful.

Wish You Luck!

If you are interested in pursuing a career in finance and accounting, obtaining a Certified Public Accountant CPA certification can provide you with a wide range of opportunities.

Here are some potential career paths that you could explore with a CPA certification:

• Public Accounting
• Corporate Accounting
• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Investment Banking
• Forensic Accounting

To achieve CPA certification, you must possess a variety of abilities. These abilities include:

• Technical abilities: CPAs must be well-versed in accounting principles and procedures. They must also be knowledgeable in the use of accounting software.

• Analytical abilities: CPAs must be able to analyse financial data and spot trends. They must also be capable of solving difficult accounting problems.

• Communication abilities: CPAs must be able to successfully interact with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. They must be able to clearly and concisely explain difficult accounting topics.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), and investment banker are all professionals within the financial sector, but they each have distinct scopes of work. CPAs primarily focus on accounting, auditing, and taxation. They ensure accurate financial records, provide assurance services, and offer expertise in tax planning and compliance. CPAs often work in public accounting firms, corporations, or government agencies.

CFAs, on the other hand, specialize in investment management and analysis. They are skilled in areas such as portfolio management, financial analysis, and asset valuation. CFAs are commonly found working in investment firms, banks, or as independent financial advisors, where they assess investment opportunities and manage clients' assets.

Investment bankers facilitate the issuance of securities and provide advisory services for mergers, acquisitions, and other financial transactions. They help companies raise capital, structure deals, and navigate complex financial matters. Investment bankers work in investment banks or financial advisory firms, collaborating closely with corporate clients and other financial institutions.

Hi, You need to check the entry requirements for respective provinces as an international applicant, so choose your place first, and then register for the PreCPA program. Other option is to apply for a Diploma in professional accounting and study for 2 years, and simultaneously you can go for CPA training.