For writing CPA Exams, an aspirant needs 120 credit hours of education.  Further, an aspirant’s eligibility to appear for CPA exams is decided by one of the 55 State Boards of Accountancy which decides the eligibility based on Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation.

However, to obtain a CPA License, an aspirant needs 150 credits.  Also, with 120 credits, an aspirant can start CPA and appear for all the exams.  However, an aspirant needs to earn a total of 150 credits within 3 years of clearing all exams.

Usually, in India, a candidate who has done a professional qualification like CA or CMA India or who has done a post graduationi.e.MCom or MBA, are eligible to start writing CPA exams as they fulfill the requirement of obtaining 120 credits.  However, if in doubt, an aspirant can check his/her eligibility through NASBA’s International Evaluation Services (NIES).

CPA tests an aspirant for the following exams:

1. FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting);
2. AUD (Auditing & Attestation);
3. Regulation (REG);
4. Business Environment & Concepts (BEC).

CPA exams are a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Short Task Based Simulations and written answers. Paper wise pattern for all 4 exams is as follows:

Yes, an aspirant can now appear for all CPA exams in India as per their updated calendar in the following locations:

• Ahmedabad
• Bangalore
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• New Delhi and
• Trivandrum

CPA exams are conducted in testing windows.  Typically, testing months for CPA exams available to CPA aspirants are January-February, April-May, July-August and October-November.

Yes, there is an additional cost of appearing for CPA exams in India.  At present, additional fees for all the 4 exams is around $1500 which is charged as International Testing Fees if an aspirant decides to appear for CPA exams outside the United States (US).  

On an average, a sincere aspirant takes 18 to 24 months to complete CPA i.e. all 4 exams of CPA.

CPA is a broad based qualification.  CPA members study Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Regulation and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) in detail during the course of their CPA Journey.  Through the knowledge gained, CPA members become ready to work in multiple areas/sub-areas of Financial Reporting, Auditing and Taxation.

CPA members can join MNC organizations and Big 4 Consulting Firms as their team and work in these areas or they can start their own consulting practice in India.

Salary package of a professional depends upon various factors apart from having a professional qualification like CPA or CA.  These factors could be prior experience, interpersonal skills, technical skills and knowledge of new age skills like Python, Tableau, SQL etc.

Generally, a fresher CPA is able to fetch an average package of INR 8 to 10 lakhs in Big Four firms (viz. PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY).  Experienced candidates get an Average Package of INR 15 to 18 lakhs with 5 plus years of experience.  

CPA is a tough qualification.  However, if you follow the right approach for preparation, practice well, give sufficient mock exams in the simulated environment then CPA exams will be easier to pass.  

Every professional qualification is tough, so is CPA but with the flexibility an aspirant gets by giving exams one by one, it still is doable comfortably.  Self study by an aspirant also plays a major role in clearing CPA exams apart from taking guidance from your faculty/mentor, if any.

CPA has got tremendous scope in India right now.  CPAs can work in Accounting, Auditing and Taxation (US) profiles primarily.  Fresher CPAs are hired not only by Multinational Companies like American Express, Bank of America, Genpact, General Electric (GE) but also by all the Big Four Companies (viz. PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY).  CPAs are working for US MNCs and Indian MNCs alike.   CPAs are working in the same profiles and at the same positions as Indian CAs are working.  So, now, in terms of scope, it is apt to say that the scope of CPA in India is increasing exponentially and coming at par with Indian CA gradually.

As a CPA member, apart from the recognition in the society, you have the following privileges/benefits which makes it a preferred choice:

• CPAs have career opportunities in Big four consulting firms (viz. PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY) apart from top MNCs of the world;
• A fresher CPA member enjoys an average salary package of INR 8 to 10 lakhs p.a. In India;
• CPA members have the opportunity to become CPA Canada as well by fulfilling minimal requirements;
• CPA members have scope in 100+ countries;
• CPA is the professional body with maximum number of Chartered Accountants / CPAs in the world, so a great opportunity to network with such huge members base is there;
• CPA is one of the most recognized Accounting Qualifications of the World;