CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is the highest accounting credential in the United States. CPA ensures global recognition for accounting and finance professionals.
Becoming a CPA demands hardwork and effort, but the benefits go far beyond job security and salary. You’ll be working to become an essential part of the business world. As a CPA, you’ll have access to jobs with higher authority and responsibility, and you’ll enjoy broader career stability. Above all this, being a CPA allows you to do meaningful and significant work with highly motivated and multi-talented people.
Qualification
With academic content organized over just 4 exam parts and the designation achievable in less than 12 months, CPA designation offers an extensive value proposition. It includes international credibility, strong knowledge base of auditing, accounting (US GAAP & IFRS), finance, tax, significant career progression opportunities with Big 4 and MNCs, and other benefits like leadership skills, international perspective, elite professional networking are also there.
To become a CPA, the 3 E’s are required for license:
- Education
- Exam or Uniform CPA Examination
- Experience
It is a uniform CPA Exam on a computer-based format which consists of 4 sections:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Regulation (REG)
You must pass all four sections within 18 months, earning a minimum score of 75 on each part.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirement and the experience required to become a CPA in the USA varies from state to state. Different states have mandated different eligibility requirements as determined by their respective State Boards of Accountancy. All 55 states of the USA are members of the NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy).
Minimum eligibility is graduation in finance and accountancy field with 120 credits to write the CPA exam and 150 credits to gain the license. Every year of university education in India is equivalent to 30 semester credits of US education. Some state boards award credit for international and professional qualifications like CA. In case of international CPA candidates from India, generally, 3-year commerce graduates from NAAC-A universities who have scored a first division are awarded and are qualified to take the Uniform CPA exam.
Application Process
The application process is the same for U.S. and other international candidates. To apply, one must do the following:
- Select any U.S. jurisdiction or NASBA
- Contact the Board of Accountancy in that jurisdiction to obtain application materials and submit completed applications with the required fee as instructed
- Once qualified, you’re eligible to schedule the exams
Documents Required
- Proof of Identification
- Official college and other educational transcripts
