Many accounting professionals in India dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The CPA qualification is globally recognised and opens doors to high-paying opportunities. If you share this dream and want to pursue becoming a CPA, you need to plan carefully, especially your finances.
In this blog, we will outline the total CPA course fees and the additional costs associated with them. We will also break down the application fees and optional expenses. Keep reading!
Eligibility for CPA course in India
To qualify for CPA in India, you should have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
- For UG degrees, B.Com, BBM, or BBA are fine.
- For PG, M.Com, MBA, or any other PG certificate or diploma will be suitable.
Alternatively:
- CA Inter, CMA Inter, or CS Inter candidates with any bachelor’s degree are eligible.
- Graduates from non-commerce fields (e.g., B.Sc, BA, LLB) can qualify if they have five years of experience in accounting or finance.
CPA course duration
The CPA course can be completed within 24 months of registration. CPA exams can be scheduled at any time on demand. Registration for the course is open throughout the year.
CPA exam structure
CPA exams are computer-based and closed-book. They are accessible to every candidate across India. You can take an exam at any Pearson VUE exam center or online.
There is no specific order for exams, and you can take one paper at a time. There are a total of 8 papers in the exam. Each paper passed is individually credited without any group passing requirement. Here’s a summary of the exam structure:
- Duration: Each exam lasts 3 hours, with an additional 15 minutes of reading time.
- Marks: Each paper is worth 100 marks, and candidates must score a minimum of 50% to pass.
- Format: Exams include MCQs, practical/numerical questions, task-based questions, and descriptive questions.
CPA course fees in India
In this table, we have discussed all the details of CPA course fees in India:
| Fee type | Amount | Details |
| Course fees | INR 50,000 | For a 2-year CPA degree (M.Voc), ₹25,000 per year |
| Application fees | INR 2,000 | Initial application fee |
| Exam fees | INR 2,500 per exam | Applies to each exam and resits |
| Registration fee | INR 40,000 | Includes online study materials and practice kits. Valid for 24 months |
| Additional fees | Varies | GST and other taxes are extra and non-refundable |
CPA course exemptions
Various exemptions are available for specific qualifications, such as:
- CA/CMA Finalists: Exemptions for subjects where they scored 50% or above.
- Qualified CA/CMA members: Fully exempt from CPA exams.
- CS Qualified Candidates: Exempt from specific subjects like taxation, business laws, etc. They are also eligible for lateral entry in the second year.
- Chartered Tax Practitioners: Exempt from the first four papers.
Additional CPA costs
In addition to the main CPA course fees, there may be a few extra charges. These can impact your budget, so it will be helpful if you plan for them beforehand.
Mock tests and study materials
Mock tests closely resemble the actual CPA exam format and help you prepare better. These can cost anywhere between INR 10,000 and INR 40,000.
Computer skills training
Basic MS Office or Tally courses may help prepare for the CPA exams. So, if you are unfamiliar with computers, take training for them, too.
Travel and accommodation
In some cases, candidates might not be staying at the same location where the exam centres are. Travel and lodging may add to this cost for those taking exams at centres far from home.
Summing up
Becoming a CPA has a higher ROI, but you need to be very mindful of your finances if the resources are limited. Planning and budgeting for CPA course fees in advance can help you manage this journey smoothly. Besides, study well. The exams are very competitive and expensive, so prepare well.
FAQs
- Can I claim tax benefits on CPA course expenses?
It depends. Some educational expenses qualify for tax deductions, and some do not. Consult an advisor for eligibility specifics if you are concerned about your taxes.
- How much are CPA course fees in India in total?
The CPA course fees in India costs you nearly INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 2 lakhs. If you add the preparation and study materials expenses to this, it will eventually go higher.
- Is there a penalty for missing a CPA exam section?
Yes, missing an exam section means reapplying and paying the registration and exam fees for that section again.
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