CPA US course

Generally, when we use the term CPA we think of CPA US Course. This is because the CPA US is most widely accepted and in great demand thanks to US Companies all over the world. However, most countries have their own accounting qualifications like Canada has CPA Canada, Australia has CPA Australia and so on.

A Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) is a finance, accounting and business professional with a specific qualification. Being a CPA is a mark of high professional competence. It indicates a soundness in depth, breadth and quality of accountancy knowledge. CPAs are highly respected by employers and members. It provides members with an internationally recognized qualification as well as the opportunity to complete specialist training and continuing professional development (CPD).

1. CPA Australia

To use the CPA designation in Australia, a member must:

A. Complete a degree or a postgraduate award recognized by CPA Australia

B. Complete the CPA Program, including three years of professional experience in finance, accounting or business undertake CPD activities each year

C. Comply to a strict code of conduct set by CPA Australia.

D. To offer public accounting services, CPAs must also complete CPA Australia’s Public Practice Program and hold a Public Practice Certificate in accordance with the CPA Australia’s By-Laws.

CPA Australia is a two-part journey having a foundation program, followed by the CPA program as mentioned below:

1.1 The Foundation Program:

1. The focus of the Foundation Program is to – Impart the basics and covers 6 major areas (which are further divided into courses) including Economics, Accounting, Business Law, Finance, Financial Accounting & Reporting, and Management Accounting.

2. Depending on whether you have a graduate degree in accounting & finance, overseas graduates will have to appear for a few courses of study within this.

3. The foundation exams cover the knowledge required to become an Associate member of CPA Australia.

4. They can be taken in any order, at your choice of exam location and time.

1.2 CPA Program:

1. Upon successful completion of the Foundation Program, the main CPA Program starts.

2. The CPA Program consists of 4 compulsory subjects + 2 electives + An experience component.

3. The CPA Program, like any CA/CPA program, is extensive.

4. And similar to most such programs, the experience component (article-ship) is of a mandatory 36 months duration.

5. Subsequent to the successful completion of CPA Program requirements, you become a CPA.

6. Depending on the courses you are required to undertake in the Foundation Program, the total program stretches from anywhere between 3-4.5 years.

1.3 Switch over from CPA Australia to CPA US Course and Vice versa

CPA Australia has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB) representing AICPA and NASBA. Under this MRA, a CPA Australia member may be eligible for the CPA US credential if they are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or a holder of a Visa granting legal residency in Australia or New Zealand. They must also be a member in good standing of CPA Australia and meet additional criteria for prior education, relevant CPA Program examinations, practical experience and continuing professional development.

Members of CPA Australia seeking to obtain the US CPA credential via this agreement can visit the NASBA website for specific eligibility requirements. The following steps demonstrate the pathway to CPA membership for holders of a US CPA credential, under the conditions of the current MRA.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

You may be eligible to apply for CPA Australia membership if you:

a. are a current member of good standing with a State Board and not under any investigation for professional conduct infringements

b. did not obtain the US CPA credential under a mutual recognition agreement, reciprocal membership agreement, or other similar agreements which the IQAB may have/had at any time

c. have successfully completed the Uniform CPA Examinations

d. hold a baccalaureate or higher degree

e. have satisfied the experience requirement of the relevant State Board.

Step 2: Apply

a. Complete online application and submit it with the required documentation, including your application and membership fee.

b. In your application, nominate AICPA or NASBA as the professional body with whom you studied and hold membership.

Step 3: Verification and outcome of your application

Your application will take approximately 10 to 15 working days to verify. They will send you an email informing you of your assessment outcome.

1.4 Agreement gives US CPAs path to Australia, New Zealand audit rights

Qualified CPA US’s are eligible to obtain a credential that is a pathway for obtaining audit rights in Australia and New Zealand under a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) that has been renewed.

The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) renewed their MRA with the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). The AICPA and NASBA had signed an MRA with CPA Australia in July 2018, so qualified CPA US’s have two paths to licensure in Australia and New Zealand.

Under the renewal, qualified CPA US’s may obtain the CA ANZ credential if the holders meet eligibility requirements detailed in the appendices of the MRA. CA ANZ credential holders who are citizens or legal residents in Australia or New Zealand are eligible to obtain the CPA US credential if the holders meet the eligibility requirements described in the MRA’s appendices.

2. The Canadian CPA Designation

To become a Canadian CPA, students must meet the academic prerequisites, complete the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), pass the Common Final Exam (CFE), and obtain 30 months of qualifying practical work experience. This is the case for a majority of students but there are a few exceptions. For example, internationally trained accountants can challenge the CFE and transfer their credentials to the Canadian CPA without having to go through the entire program. This is covered under CPA Canada’s Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

The four requirements to becoming a Canadian CPA (prerequisites, PEP, CFE, and work experience) are part of the CPA certification program. The educational component, called PEP, consist of six, 8-week modules. I find the first two modules (Core 1 and 2) to be the most challenging because of the breadth of topics tested. Fortunately, each module is taken separately, except in the fast-track modules where two modules can be taken simultaneously.

The first four modules (the Cores and Electives) have exams made up of cases and objective-format questions (MCQs). Students entering PEP from university find the cases challenging because of their integrative nature and ambiguous requirements. Case-based exams are only part of the Canadian CPA pathway, which is perhaps why the Canadian CPA is called one of the world’s most rigorous programs. The CFE is offered once or twice per year and has an average 75% pass rate. The CFE is marked based on displaying competencies and average performance.

3. The CPA US Course Credentials

To become a CPA US, students must fulfil educational requirements, pass four 4-hour exams, complete an ethics exam (if required by state), and obtain required work experience (if required by state). These four requirements (education, exams, ethics, experience) are known as “the four Es.”

Note: While the Canadian CPA program has six modules and a CFE, the CPA US course has only four section exams:

·       Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

·       Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

·       Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

·       Regulation (REG)

Candidates take the four sections during four testing windows throughout the year. To pass, candidates must score a minimum of 75 out of 100 on each part. The four exams, which are called the Uniform CPA Exam, have an average 53% pass rate, much lower than the Canadian exam pass rates.

Unlike the Canadian CPA exams, the US CPA exams are made up of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), task-based simulations (TBS) and small written communications (WCs). There are no lengthy cases, no integrative required, and no final, multi-day exams to tackle. While the Canadian CPA program takes 24-30 months to complete, the US CPA exams have a strict 18-month deadline to complete. Let’s summarize the two options.

US CPA Exam 2021 – New Updates In 2020, the US CPA exam in India had few changes; the most prominent change was the introduction of the CARES Act to the REG section effective in Q4 2020. In 2021, the US CPA Exam will undergo additional changes, mainly to the AUD & BEC sections, with minor revisions to the remaining two sections – FAR & REG….continue reading

4. Choosing the right program: Canadian vs. the CPA US Course

If you are interested in working as an accountant in the U.S., it’s best to pursue the CPA US course credential. You will learn U.S. GAAP and prepare yourself for an American career. It’s also quicker and more cost effective.

If you are interested in working and staying in Canada, you should pursue the Canadian CPA program. It’s a prestigious and highly respected designation that prepares you for an accounting career in Canada. It also has higher pass rates and facilitated modules. You have three attempts at the module exams and the CFE, so, if you are unsuccessful three times, you may consider attempting the CPA US course.

Despite the lower pass rates, the US CPA exams are somewhat easier due to the objective format of the questions and extended exam windows. Once you obtain your CPA US course credentials, you can either keep it or transfer to the Canadian CPA, but the process is complicated for CPA US’s who are, or have been, Canadian residents.

Practical benefits of US CPA course – Becoming a CPA US in India is an aspiration for many finance professionals and accountants. Most CPAs agree that becoming a US CPA completely transformed their career. Please follow the link for further reading.

4. Switch Over from CPA US course to the Canadian CPA designation

Transferring your credentials to the Canadian CPA has many advantages. Many employers in Canada look for the Canadian CPA designation. For example, for Canadian positions that require financial reporting and tax analysis, Canadian CPAs have the upper hand in the selection process.

On the other hand, with the CPA US course, you can apply for positions such as senior financial analyst or business analyst and have the same advantage as a Canadian CPA — your work experience will take precedence. If you keep your CPA US course, you can designate the CPA letters after your name once you receive approval from your provincial CPA body. If you decide to transfer, make sure to read CPA Canada’s eligibility and transfer steps. Most Canadians will not be eligible to transfer because, assuming you were a Canadian resident while completing the US CPA exams, you will be required to have:

1. A university degree in the U.S. from having attended in person on a full-time basis,

2.Have at least one year of full-time practical experience in accounting in the U.S.

This means you must physically study or work in the U.S. to transfer your credentials. You cannot use a CPA US as a “shortcut” to attain the Canadian CPA designation.

What is US CPA ? Why and How to become a US CPA – A complete guide on CPA US Course including Eligibility, Details, Duration, Syllabus, Job & Salary, Exam & Pass rate, Structure of US CPA exam, Fees, etc….continue reading ..

5.How to decide which CPA should you go for?

Generally, when we use the term CPA we think of CPA US course. This is because the CPA US course is most widely accepted and in great demand thanks to US Companies all over the world. However, most countries have their own accounting qualifications like Canada has CPA Canada, Australia has CPA Australia and so on.

5.1 When you have to decide which CPA to pursue, Australia or USA? –

1. Understand where you want to work and the DEMAND of the degree in your country.

2. Like the CPA US course is done by a lot of people because US companies are spread all over the globe and thus there is a job opportunity.

3. Anyone intending to move to Australia should consider CPA Australia or anyone considering working in an Australian firm based in India (or anywhere in the world) should consider CPA Australia.

4. Similarly, anyone looking at working in a USA Company should consider CPA USA and the same for CPA from any other country.

5. A course like CPA should ideally be followed by a work stint in the same country so you can understand the application side better.

6. The main reason is that CPA courses are more country-specific unlike other streams of study like MBA or Engineering.

7. If one is studying CPA Australia the course would cover the Accounting Standards applicable in Australia. Not only do Accounting Standards (AS) differ but the difference gets even more as you graduate to Auditing with its country-specific standards and equally if not more so in Taxation.

So, depending on your long-term goals you can choose the right CPA to meet your needs!

6. Which CPA to Pursue? USA or Canada?

If you are interested in working as an accountant in the U.S., it’s best to pursue the CPA US course credential. You will learn U.S. GAAP and prepare yourself for an American career. It’s also quicker and more cost effective.

If you are interested in working and staying in Canada, you should pursue the Canadian CPA program. It’s a prestigious and highly respected designation that prepares you for an accounting career in Canada. It also has higher pass rates and facilitated modules.

US CPA exams are somewhat easier due to the objective format of the questions and extended exam windows. Once you obtain your CPA US course credentials, you can either keep it or transfer to the Canadian CPA, but the process is complicated for CPA US’s who are, or have been, Canadian residents. Transferring your credentials to the Canadian CPA has many advantages. Many employers in Canada look for the Canadian CPA designation. For example, for Canadian positions that require financial reporting and tax analysis, Canadian CPAs have the upper hand in the selection process.

On the other hand, with the CPA US course, you can apply for positions such as senior financial analyst or business analyst and have the same advantage as a Canadian CPA — your work experience will take precedence.

7. Summary

Think about your desired career path, the costs and benefits of cross-border work experience, and the educational requirements of each program before making the decision. If you’re interested in growing in a role that doesn’t require financial reporting nor tax analysis, either of the CPA programs may be sufficient.

If you want to stay and work in Canada, then without a doubt pursue the Canadian CPA designation or go for CPA US course as it has lesser number of papers and then apply for a Canadian CPA license through their mutual reciprocity arrangement or MOU. With over 200,000 members, you will become part of one of the largest accounting organizations in the world, learn in-depth the Canadian accounting frameworks, and become a well-paid professional with an accelerated career growth. 

Similarly, if you want to settle in Australia, go for Australian CPA or use  It is always best to pursue CPA or equivalent courses in the country of that certification. Again, as mentioned above anyone intending to move to Australia should consider CPA Australia or anyone considering to work in an Australian firm/company based in India (or anywhere in the world) should consider CPA Australia or go for CPA US course and take advantage of the MOU. 

As a whole, by going through the above information , it can be stated that for an international candidate CPA US course is more preferable due to its wide acceptance, more job prospects and switch over facilities or MOUs between AICPA and the CPA Australia and CPA Canada bodies.

About the top CPA US Course training institute in India, Africa, and Middle East – Uplift Pro

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CPA, US CMA, US CIA, Enrolled Agent US, ACCA UK courses in India, Africa, and Middle East. Our team consists of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from IIEST, IITs, London Business School, and ULCA who have decided to provide a strong backup to young ambitious students and professionals to reach their desired career destinations in an organized way.

Uplift Pro, is an authorized partner of Gleim in India, provides you with authentic Gleim materials, updates and Live Online Interactive Classes for CPA US by internationally experienced veteran mentors. All at an Indian Cost. 

Some of our exclusive features include –

A. Affordable US CPA course fees

B. CPA certified veteran TEAM of faculties

C. Live online classes and class recordings ensuring that the regular office working hours is least impacted.

D. 1:1 personal support from our 30 plus years of experienced CPA certified faculties ensuring that all our students pass the  CPA US course

E. “Till you pass” guarantee assuring that students can attend our live online classes at no extra cost until you pass

F. Premium study materials with practice questions bank enabling students to pass the US CPA exam in India and rest of the world

G. Administrative guidance on US CPA evaluation procedure

H. Placement assistance

Request for Live Demo class / contact at +91-8787088850 to book your seats now.

ACCA stands for Association of Certified Chartered Accountant is a Chartered Accountant degree which is given by Association of Chartered Accountant with headquarters situated at London. The role of Work is related to inspection of accounting services to the public, private entities

CPA US course stands for Certified Public Accountant and the degree is provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).  The field of work is related to license to accounting services to the public. To maintain the law and procedure these specialized degree holders are required to guide individuals, Small and mid-size firms and MNCs. When pertinent question arises which course, are you planning to do further, ACCA certification or US CPA exam? Will you be aiming to do both in the future? If you are confused about your plans just have a look in this article.

1.What is ACCA?

The ACCA or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a body that recognizes the qualification of a CA. ACCA is a global body based in Glasgow UK which works in the interest of the public to ensure that the chartered accountants work according to the principles-based and ensures that the regulations set are properly followed.

The ACCA offers the certification in chartered accountancy and the exam known as ACCA is most recognized in the commonwealth countries. The degree was given with the intention to give protection.

The ACCA Exam consists of 14 papers and emphasis is given on the core values of integrity, accountability, diversity, and innovations, etc. The degree is accepted globally across 180 countries. The Degree has its own reputation of one hundred years and the professionals have provided services to more than 7500 employers across a different field. The 3 important steps of ACCA are applied knowledge (Diploma), Applied Skills (Advance Diploma) and essentials.

Both ACCA and CPA US course are highly qualified Accounting courses designed for professionals who are interested in making a career in Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and Finance.

2.What is CPA US course?

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA US course) exam which is recognized across the globe for its competence. The AICPA is the largest accounting body in the world and anyone who wishes to work in the US or has to work with US-based clients requires taking the examination held by the AICPA. 55 states in the US have been granted the license to conduct the CPA certified exams. Each state has its own licensing requirements and pattern of the exam as none of them is controlled by any centralized body.

CPA US course can also choose any stream in Finance Field starting from Management Accounting, Financial Analyst, Auditing, Taxation, Finance Controlling, etc. The course itself includes Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination organized by AICPA and after the exam is passed there are certain procedures which include certain ethics and the candidates have to abide by the regulatory framework guided by the respective governing body.

The professionals are entitled to Audit for Federal and State levels and can act as consultants who could guide several business houses and can act as consultants of several small and mid-size firms, for tax and audit purposes also.

Practical benefits of US CPA course – Becoming a CPA US in India is an aspiration for many finance professionals and accountants. Most CPAs agree that becoming a US CPA completely transformed their career. Please follow the link for further reading.

3. CPA US course vs ACCA: Application & Qualification

The most significant differences between ACCA and CPA are in the qualifications and the application processes.

3.1 CPA US course

For US CPA course candidates must have a minimum of a 4-year bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree to get a US CPA license. Almost all jurisdictions require CPAs to have at least 150 credit hours of higher education, equivalent to 5 years of full-time study (or a US master’s degree).

Before you can even sign up to take the exam, your state board will review your educational background. Then, once you are approved for the exam and receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS), you are on your own to get prepared. It is to be noted that the US CPA exam is a “qualifying exam,” not a “program.” In programs such as the ACCA and CIMA, you can get textbooks from the exam administrator, follow a syllabus, and study accordingly. CPA State Boards do not provide any courses or study materials for the US CPA Exam. In addition to passing the US CPA Exam (and an ethics exam in some states), candidates must also have 150 hours of education and at least one year of qualified experience.

3.2 ACCA

The ACCA entry level is much lower than the CPA US course. Plus, the ACCA has two entry points depending on your education and experience. The ACCA labels these levels as “ACCA Foundations in Accountancy” and the “ACCA Qualification” level.

The foundation level is for people who are new to accountancy and don’t have an education threshold. It’s also the best place to start for people working in finance but who don’t have adequate education levels or qualifications to apply for higher-level positions. The exams at the Foundations level test your understanding of basic accounting principles. Basically, the ACCA feels that you should have mastered these topics before going for the ACCA Qualification exams.

If you’re passing the ACCA exam after CPA, you probably already have this level of knowledge. If you have more experience and/or education, you can start at the ACCA Qualification level.

The ACCA’s exact requirements state that you can begin at this level “as long as you have 3 GCSEs and 2 A Levels in 5 separate subjects including maths and English.” Basically, this means you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. However, if you only have a high school diploma, you can begin the ACCA Qualification exams if you pass the ACCA Advanced Placement Examination. This test analyzes your proficiency in the material that appears in the ACCA Foundations of Accountancy program.

Unlike the US CPA, once candidates are registered, ACCA takes an active role in preparing you for the exam by providing study guides and sample exam papers. They also maintain a database of ACCA Approved Learning Partners. In addition to passing all papers for the ACCA Qualification, candidates must also take the Ethics and Professional Skills module. Additionally, they need to gain 3 years of appropriate work experience before calling themselves ACCA-certified.

4. CPA US course vs ACCA: Exam Content and Format

4.1 ACCA

The ACCA Qualification has several smaller exams to pass, called “papers.” The ACCA exam is divided into 13 papers as follows:

Applied Knowledge

• 1. Accountant in Business
• 2. Management Accounting
• 3. Financial Accounting

Applied Skills

• 1. Corporate and Business Law
• 2. Performance Management
• 3. Taxation
• 4. Financial Reporting
• 5. Audit and Assurance
• 6. Financial Management
• 7.Strategic Professional – Essentials
• 8. Strategic Business Leader
• 9.Strategic Business Reporting

Strategic Professional – Options (complete 2)

• 1. Advanced Financial Management
• 2. Advanced Performance Management
• 3. Advanced Taxation
• 4. Advanced Audit and Assurance

Candidates can apply to waive some papers based on their education levels. Or, they can take the “Certified Accounting Technician Qualification” assessment to waive some papers according to practical experience.

However, please note that you can only receive a maximum of nine exemptions for the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers. Plus, you cannot receive any exemptions for the Strategic Professional portions. So, all candidates must sit for those papers. If you think you might qualify for any exemptions, you can use this tool from ACCA Global to find out. Some—but not all—papers are computerized. Furthermore, the exam is offered four times a year at more than 500 testing centres worldwide.

4.2 CPA US course

The US CPA Exam has 4 parts:

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

The exam is 100% computerized consisting of multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations (similar to case studies). BEC has an additional section for written responses or short essays called Written Communications.

Grading is mainly computerized, even for written communications. You can choose to take the 4 parts separately, 2 at a time, or even 4 at the same time. Although you had to wait for specific “CPA testing windows” in the past, you can now sit for the exam any time during the year. You take the exam at Prometric testing centres, which are located throughout the US and several other countries including India.

US CPA Exam 2021 – New Updates In 2020, the US CPA exam in India had few changes; the most prominent change was the introduction of the CARES Act to the REG section effective in Q4 2020. In 2021, the US CPA Exam will undergo additional changes, mainly to the AUD & BEC sections, with minor revisions to the remaining two sections – FAR & REG….continue reading

5. CPA US course vs ACCA: How Much Time You Need To Pass?

5.1 ACCA

Given the number of papers to pass, candidates generally need 3 to 4 years to complete all papers and become ACCA members. Candidates can sit for the papers during four exam sessions held each year.

However, candidates can only take four exams per session and a max of eight papers in a year. So, in theory, you could pass all papers in 2 years. But because of logistics issues, most need 3-4 years. Plus, candidates need 3 years of work experience before receiving their ACCA credentials.

5.2 CPA US course

Most candidates aim to pass the US CPA exam within 12 to 18 months. After all, once candidates pass the first of their 4 US CPA Exam sections, they must pass the other 3 within 18 months. Candidates who have the time and commitment to study can take all exam parts in one go.

In that case, you can complete the exams within 3 to 6 months. However, please note that this timeframe requires a substantial study commitment. If you might go this route, I suggest reading about how long it takes the pass the US CPA Exam.

How to surmount the US CPA exam – the integral steps |Uplift Pro :-The unified US CPA exam in India conducted by AICPA is the gateway to achieve the hallmark in public accounting in a global perspective. The strategic steps to pass the US CPA exam in India include…continue reading…..

6.CPA US course vs ACCA: Reciprocity and Exemptions

6.1 ACCA

If someone is already a CPA, can they become an ACCA member? Well, ACCA is more generous in this regard — ACCA grants exemptions to AICPA members for several of the papers. If you are a holder of the US CPA credential, you are subsequently a member of the AICPA. Moreover, AICPA members may be able to skip the Foundations of Accountancy papers. You can check out the exemptions CPAs will receive who are interested in becoming ACCA members.

6.2 CPA US course

The US has mutual recognition agreements with 8 accounting bodies in the world. To gain a US CPA license, their members can take a simplified version of the US CPA exam known as the IQEX. However, please note that the ACCA is not among these 8 accounting bodies. Therefore, there is not an MOU for CPA, and ACCA and ACCA members do not qualify for CPA exemptions. So, if you hold an ACCA certification, you are MUST complete the CPA requirements, including 150 hours of college education (5 years).

Many ACCA members have passed the US CPA exam. However, since ACCA does not have a recognition agreement with either the National State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) or the AICPA, ACCA members with advanced degrees find it less challenging to qualify to sit for the US CPA Exam. ACCA members with master’s degrees or higher must also have a minimum number of accounting and business courses (this number will vary by jurisdiction, and there are 55 in the United States).ACCA members without advanced degrees will need to seek education from a degree-granting institution.

7. CPA US course vs ACCA: Which is Easier?

What test is tougher– ACCA or CPA? Honestly, that depends on what you consider to be tough. Is ACCA harder than the CPA? In some ways, yes. But in other ways, no.  Deciding which one is tough – US CPA or ACCA – there are several factors to consider.

First, the CPA US course has fewer sections (4 exam sections vs 13 papers for the ACCA Qualification), but they are all hard. In fact, the US CPA pass rate hovers around 45-55%. Likewise, the ACCA estimates their mean pass rate is about 55%. However, CPA candidates can benefit from studying with a review course. Such review courses are now also available for ACCA.

8. CPA US course vs ACCA: Summary

8.1 ACCA

• 1. Recognized in UK and commonwealth countries
• 2. One single entity with a simple application
• 3. Low entry barrier: post-secondary education needed
• 4. Exam only offered 4 times a year
• 5. 500+ testing centres across the globe
• 6. 13 papers
• 7. 3-4 years to complete.

8.2 CPA US course

• 1. Recognized in the US and anywhere with US regional offices
• 2. 55 jurisdictions with complex licensing requirements
• 3. High entry barrier: master’s level and/or 150 hours of higher education
• 4. Exam offered year-round
• 5. Exam sites in the US + multiple other countries
• 6. 4 parts
• 7. 12-18 months to complete exam, plus an additional 1+ years of work experience (more in some jurisdictions)

Conclusion

Coming to that inherent question, ACCA vs CPA… Which One Should I opt for ACCA vs CPA ? The US CPA is arguably the most prestigious accounting qualification.

The entry barrier is high with an equivalent of a master’s degree together with strict working experience requirements. Because of these stricter requirements, the CPA Exam itself has fewer parts than the ACCA — only 4 sections compared to 14 papers for the ACCA. Some jobs can only be performed by a CPA. For example, only CPAs can sign audit reports under the US GAAP standards. Besides, only CPAs can launch a CPA firm in the US. Therefore, the CPA title has distinct advantages if you are interested in public accounting in the United States or American firms.

For ACCA, the application process is much simpler, and the entry barrier is lower than the CPA. However, it takes years to complete the studies and obtain membership. While ACCA is globally recognized, it is not as highly regarded outside the UK and Commonwealth countries

About the top CPA US Course training institute in India, Africa, and Middle East – Uplift Pro

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CPA, US CMA, US CIA, Enrolled Agent US, ACCA UK courses in India, Africa, and Middle East. Our team consists of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from IIEST, IITs, London Business School, and ULCA who have decided to provide a strong backup to young ambitious students and professionals to reach their desired career destinations in an organized way.

Uplift Pro, is an authorized partner of Gleim in India, provides you with authentic Gleim materials, updates and Live Online Interactive Classes for CPA US by internationally experienced veteran mentors. All at an Indian Cost. 

Some of our exclusive features include –

A. Affordable US CPA course fees

B. CPA certified veteran TEAM of faculties

C. Live online classes and class recordings ensuring that the regular office working hours is least impacted.

D. 1:1 personal support from our 30 plus years of experienced CPA certified faculties ensuring that all our students pass the US CPA course

E. “Till you pass” guarantee assuring that students can attend our live online classes at no extra cost until you pass

F. Premium study materials with practice questions bank enabling students to pass the US CPA exam in India and rest of the world

G. Administrative guidance on US CPA evaluation procedure

H. Placement assistance

Request for Live Demo class / contact at +91-8787088850 to book your seats now.

Dear CPA Aspirant, after going through all the hurdles, you have successfully passed CPA US course and established yourself as a CPA US. Now, for some obvious reasons, you want to be a Canadian CPA too but might be a little bit confused about how to go for it or what are the procedures? Is it too complicated? Will you have to sit for another exam? This blog is created to clear all your doubts and confusions to provide you a smoother journey. Let’s discuss.

First of all, make it clear that If you hold a CPA US course credential, you can earn a Canadian CPA designation. To obtain the Canadian CPA designation, eligible CPA US must register with the appropriate provincial/regional CPA body by: completing the International Candidate Application Form and sending it to the provincial/regional CPA body to which you intend to apply. Here are the details.

1. MRA- The avenue

The mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between all Canadian CPA bodies and the U.S. International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB), representing the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), came into effect on January 1, 2018.

2.Provincial/regional CPA bodies grant members the right to:

A. Use the CPA designation

B. Be registered

C. Audit

D. Other services or licensure

3.CPA Eligibility Requirements

Holding a CPA US credential give you the privilege to be eligible to obtain the Canadian CPA designation via this MRA if you are a licensee in good standing of a State Board, and you meet the following additional criteria:

3.1 Criteria

1.You have the equivalent of at least 150 semester hours of college or university education, including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a college or university acceptable to a State Board. CPA US’s who qualified prior to the introduction of the 150-semester hour requirement are grandfathered in by this agreement as having met the 150-semester hour requirement.

2. You have passed the Uniform CPA Examination.

3. You have 30 months of relevant practical experience. Applicants with two years of relevant post-qualification experience are considered to have met the 30 month experience requirement. Applicants with less than two years of relevant post-qualification experience must complete the International Practical Experience Verification and Employer Details form.

4. You are in compliance with the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements of your State Board.

Note: CPA US’s who are, or have been, Canadian residents must meet additional requirements. Applicants who wrote one or more parts of the US Uniform CPA examination while:

A. a resident of Canada; or

B.  after they became a resident of Canada; or

C. after they returned as a resident to Canada

3.2 In addition to the above eligibility requirements, have obtained either:

1. A university degree from a degree-granting institution of higher education in the United States of America (USA) as a result of having attended the institution in person for classroom instruction on a full-time basis; or

2. Have at least one year of full-time practical experience in accounting in the USA.

Upon checking the above mentioned eligibility criteria, if you want to decide to opt for Canadian CPA, take the following steps.

4.Trail towards Canadian CPA Designation for CPA US Holders

To obtain the Canadian CPA designation, eligible CPA US’s must register with the appropriate provincial/regional CPA body by:

1.Completing the International Candidate Application Form and sending it to the provincial/regional CPA body to which you intend to apply

2.Completing the Certification of Membership with US State Board form

3.Providing confirmation that you are a CPA US in good standing with your Home Institute; such confirmation must be provided by the Home Institute directly to the provincial/regional CPA body

4.Providing proof of your legal name as evidenced by acceptable government-issued documentation

5.Providing a detailed chronological resume listing all relevant work experience

6.Paying the appropriate fee as determined by the applicable provincial/regional CPA body

7.Completing any additional requirements as prescribed by the applicable provincial/regional CPA body

5. Maintenance of membership

Once you cross the above steps and become a Canadian CPA, you have to make your membership active. In order to maintain membership with the applicable provincial/regional CPA body through this agreement, you must successfully complete the CPA Reciprocity Professional Development (CPARPD) course within two years of your official membership admission date. This course consists of approximately 20 hours of online study in Canadian tax, law and ethics in a modular form. Applicants must register for this course through their provincial/regional CPA body.

Practical benefits of US CPA course – Becoming a US CPA is an aspiration for many finance professionals and accountants. Most CPAs agree that becoming a US CPA completely transformed their career. When you get your CPA license, it opens a wide range of opportunities both in India and abroad. For further reading please follow the link.

6. Pathway requirements for licensure

While the CPA profession strives for national consistency, provincial regulations and bylaws take precedence over national practical experience requirements. Applicants should refer to provincial regulations and bylaws for the specific requirements in each jurisdiction. Once eligible to become a member of a provincial/regional CPA body, you may receive a license to practice public accounting in Canada if you meet the following criteria:

1. You meet any additional Canadian CPA experience requirements for public accounting, which may include at least 1,250 chargeable hours in assurance, of which a minimum of 625 hours must be obtained in the audit of historical financial information

2.Appropriate audit experience

3. If obtained in the USA, it may count towards meeting the more than 1,250 / 625 chargeable hours’ requirement.

4.It must be within five years of application to the provincial/regional CPA body.

5.It must meet any additional experience requirements for public accounting specific to the provincial/regional CPA body in which you seek the right to audit and to other services requiring provincial registration or licensure.

6.Complete the CPA Reciprocity Education and Examination (CPARE) program

7.Applicants must register in the CPARE program through their provincial/regional CPA body

8.Applicants who pass the CPARE program within two years of obtaining membership with a provincial/regional CPA body will not be required to also complete the CPARPD.

US Certified Public Accountants Salary in India :-  A fresh CPA US in India starts with an average annual salary of INR 7 Lakhs in a Big4 or MNC. The salary of a CPA increases at a higher rate than his non-certified peers. A CFO in India earns within average monthly salary of INR 12-25 Lakhs.

7. MRA Exclusions

CPA US’s who obtained their CPA US course credential by qualifying under a reciprocal agreement that the NASBA and the AICPA may have with another professional accountancy organization are not eligible under this agreement. This includes all mutual recognition agreements, reciprocal membership agreements, and other similar agreements that the NASBA/AICPA may have had at any time. The Canada-USA Reciprocity list identifies the U.S. state boards with which Canadian CPA bodies currently have reciprocity agreements.

8. Is AICPA accepted in Canada?

The AICPA is proud to offer qualified CPA Canada members access to select advisory credentials, including the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) credential and the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) credential.

8.1 At a Glance

A. A successful CPA US course achiever doesn’t have to sit for any other exam to be a CPA Canada.

B,. This exemption has become possible through the Mutual Recognition Agreement( MRA) in operation since January,2018.

C. Fulfilment of required administrative procedures upon registration with the respective provisional/regional CPA body.

10.Benefits of holding CPA US and CPA Canada

A. Value addition – It can be stated that a CPA US course holder can obtain CPA Canada designation as effective value addition through the MRA without sitting in any other additional examination for the same.

B. Dual qualification – Hence by pursuing CPA US has become more beneficial now as one can achieve DUAL Qualifications through this path.

Top preparation tips for US CPA exam in India for 2021– Like any other accounting exams, US CPA exam in India requires correct planning, constant motivation and guidance from experts. Some of the key attributes include a. Create a detailed study plan b. Support from experts c. Booking exams in advance. For further reading follow the link.

11.What about the Canada CPA to US CPA?

Membership recognition agreements also allow Canada CPA holders to go after the CPA US course credential. However, candidates may have to jump through some extra hoops. Specifically, candidates:

· Must pass the IQEX, or the International Qualification Examination.

· Should apply to their chosen board of accountancy and learn about their requirements. For example, candidates might need additional college coursework to reach 150 hours, pass an ethics exam, or take CPE courses.

Summary

To sum up, it can be stated having a CPA US course credential is more advantageous to obtain a Canadian CPA certification in an easy manner without sitting for a separate exam. Depending on your career location, you can select which one to use.

Furthermore, a dual certification would be a great value addition to your career. CPA US course has just 4 papers to clear and you get 360-degree support from Uplift CPA to clear all 4 parts. Moreover you get the guidance for eligibility evaluation, registering to AICPA for exams, applying for NTS and applying for your CPA License.

About the top CPA US Course training institute in India, Africa, and Middle East – Uplift Pro

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CPA, US CMA, US CIA, Enrolled Agent US, ACCA UK courses in India, Africa, and Middle East. Our team consists of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from IIEST, IITs, London Business School, and ULCA who have decided to provide a strong backup to young ambitious students and professionals to reach their desired career destinations in an organized way.

Uplift Pro, is an authorized partner of Gleim in India, provides you with authentic Gleim materials, updates and Live Online Interactive Classes for CPA US by internationally experienced veteran mentors. All at an Indian Cost. 

Some of our exclusive features include –

A. Affordable US CPA course fees

B. CPA certified veteran TEAM of faculties

C. Live online classes ensuring that the regular office working hours is least impacted. Moreover, they provides class recordings.

D. 1:1 personal support from our 30 plus years of experienced CPA certified faculties ensuring that all our students pass the US CPA course

E. “Till you pass” guarantee assuring that students can attend our live online classes at no extra cost until you pass

F. Premium study materials with practice questions bank enabling students to pass the US CPA exam in India and rest of the world

G. Administrative guidance on US CPA evaluation procedure

H. Placement assistance

Request for Live Demo class / contact at +91-8787088850 to book your seats now.

Dear Reader,

It seems that you are reading this blog since you are either a finance /accounts student or a professional want to boost your career towards a broader horizon. You know that earning the Certified Public Accountant (CPA US Course) certification is an excellent idea. You know this because of all the benefits of becoming a CPA.

But you might not know how to walk through every single CPA requirement including the unified CPA US course exam and the CPA licensure procedures. So, let’s start the journey. There are 2 parts in the CPA journey- the CPA exam and the CPA license.

Before you can become licensed as a certified public accountant, you must pass all four parts of the Uniform CPA US course examination: Auditing (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). The exam process could take a year or more to complete, and most jurisdictions require 150 semester hours plus two years of experience. Additionally, some states require an ethics exam.

CPA US course requirements: The basics

Each of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 U.S. states plus DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands) maintains its own CPA US course requirements. When you decide to become a CPA US, you must decide which jurisdiction you wish to become licensed in.

You will apply for the US CPA Exam and your CPA US license in that state. You will need to abide by the CPA US course requirements of your jurisdiction to remain licensed.

CPA US course requirements differ by state

Each jurisdiction maintains its own directory of requirements; however, there has been a movement toward uniform standards in recent years. For example, nearly all jurisdictions require 150 semester hours to become licensed as a CPA US now.

However, requirements can still differ among states. While international CPA US course exam administrations are available, each licensing jurisdiction has specific requirements for citizenship and social security numbers, application/registration fees, early examination options, and passage of an ethics exam.

Additionally, licensing requirements may also differ by:

1. The number of education hours required to sit for the US CPA Exam

2. The makeup of coursework within those education hours

3. The years of experience required and how they are validated

4. Whether you can renew a license while inactive

5. The US CPA Exam application process

Requirements to take the US CPA Exam

To be eligible to take the US CPA Exam, you must meet the basic requirements of the board in the jurisdiction where you wish to become licensed.

While these can vary by state, typical CPA Exam requirements include:

1. 120 college credit hours (bachelor’s degree)

2. 24+ credit hours in accounting-related courses

3. U.S. citizenship

4. A Social Security numbers

5. Minimum age of 18 years old

Every state requires you to complete either 120 or 150 credit hours at an accredited college or university before you can apply to take the US CPA Exam.

Usually, a minimum of 24 hours of your coursework needs to be in accounting. Still, some states require that you also complete several hours in general business subjects like finance, business law, or management.

Some states require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or other business-related fields like finance, while others are fine with a general bachelor’s degree. A few states will allow you to sit for the US CPA Exam before you graduate.

Contact your state board of accountancy if you would like to confirm that your academic credits qualify. As part of the US CPA Exam application process, you will have to submit your transcripts.

US CPA Exam Requirements by State

Every state board requires CPA US course candidates to pass the Uniform CPA Examination. The AICPA developed the Uniform CPA Examination with input from NASBA and the state boards of accountancy.

The CPA Exam consists of 4 sections that cover a wide range of accounting topics.

Specifically, the CPA Exam sections include:

1.Auditing and Attestation

2.Business Environments and Concepts

3.Financial Accounting and Reporting

4.Regulation

The US CPA Exam sections present several different question types in a series of testlets. These question types include:

A, Multiple-choice questions

B. Task-based simulations

C. Written communications

Candidates have 4 hours of total testing time for each exam section, and they must pass all 4 sections of the exam within an 18-month period. Each state board of accountancy also defines the US CPA Exam eligibility requirements that candidates must meet in order to sit for the exam.

Almost all of the state boards want candidates to have 120 credit hours of education, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, before they will let you sit for the US CPA Exam. But, can you take the US CPA Exam while still in school? Yes, some states let you sit for the exam with less than 120 credit hours if you’re close to graduating.

For example, several states require you to be within a certain time frame of securing the 120 hours, such as 6 months away from graduating with a bachelor’s degree or within 15 credit hours of the 120-hour requirement. Other states make the 150-hour rule part of their CPA test requirements. These states might make similar provisions for those who are close to acquiring 150 credit hours.

Finally, many state boards also require you to have a certain number of upper-level accounting credit hours before you can sit for the US CPA Exam. Ultimately, each state board decides who is eligible to sit for the exam in their state. I try my best to keep up with each state’s requirements in the pages on my site, but these requirements change sporadically and without much warning. Therefore, the best way for you to be certain that your understanding of your state board’s requirements is up to date is to visit your state board’s website or contact them directly.

US CPA Exam 2021 – New Updates In 2020, the US CPA exam in India had few changes; the most prominent change was the introduction of the CARES Act to the REG section effective in Q4 2020. In 2021, the US CPA Exam will undergo additional changes, mainly to the AUD & BEC sections, with minor revisions to the remaining two sections – FAR & REG….continue reading

CPA US License Requirements

Becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA US ) involves acquiring a combination of education, work experience, and passing examination scores. However, the CPA license requirements are not universal. In the U.S., the boards of accountancy of the individual states/territories determine the regulations for accounting and dictate the requirements for CPA licensure. There is no one national governing body that makes these rules. Therefore, each jurisdiction has a slightly different set of CPA requirements, though there are general areas of overlap within each state’s requirements.

Since each state enforces distinct CPA requirements, earning the CPA license from certain states might be easier for you than from others. And luckily, you can choose. You are allowed to pursue a CPA license in any state, even if you don’t live there.

Across the states, the basic CPA requirements would be the 3 Es:

A. Education: earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree and 150 credit hours of general education

B. Exam: pass the entire Uniform CPA Examination

C. Experience: acquire at least 1 year of relevant accounting experience.

So, all CPA candidates must meet these requirements in some way. However, many states also have one additional “E” requirement:

D. Ethics: pass the state’s ethics examination

The 3 Es are the most generalized summary of the CPA US course requirements. Each state has an education, exam, and experience requirement of sorts, but the differences among the CPA state requirements manifest themselves in the type of educational credit hours needed, the US CPA Exam requirements, and the amount and type of work experience expected. Which ethics exam the state uses is another point of distinction.

CPA US Course Work Experience Requirements by State

The CPA US course work requirement has the most variability of all the requirements. Some state boards only accept experience under a licensed CPA, while others readily accept academic and non-public accounting experience.

Many states substitute higher amounts of non-public accounting work experience for lower amounts of experience acquired under the direct supervision of a CPA US. Most states require 1-2 years of relevant accounting experience, and they often make provisions for part-time work as well.

The Application

It might seem that applying for the US CPA Exam is more difficult than the US CPA Exam. After all, there are many different facets to the application which can make the process a bit confusing. This is especially true since US CPA Exam requirements vary by state.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are two routes US CPA Exam candidates can go through when they’re applying to the US CPA Exam:

1. State Boards of Accountancy, or

2. NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy).

Which route you take to apply for the US CPA Exam depends entirely on the state you’re obtaining your CPA license in. If you’re applying to any of the states below, you will be applying through CPAES (CPA Examination Services), a part of NASBA which provides a comprehensive array of services to state boards of accountancy related to the CPA Exam. The CPAES includes application processing, credential evaluations, and score reporting.

Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

If you are not applying to any of the above states, your application will be handled and processed directly through your State Board of Accountancy I.e. Independent states. Every state has its own decision as to whether they would like to be a part of NASBA’s CPAES jurisdiction.

States that decide to remain independent do so for several reasons, such as being able to control their own fees and giving candidates a wider range to choose from when it comes to third party companies/organizations that handle credential evaluations and other administrative services. This means that CPA Exam costs will vary more widely within these states, especially when it comes to initial application and registration/re-examination fees.

For these states (listed below), candidates will also contact their State Board of Accountancy directly to determine whether they’re eligible to sit for the CPA Exam. The only part where State Boards of Accountancy interact with NASBA is for processing fees and issuing Notices to Schedule (NTS).

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and Virgin Islands.

CPA Examination Services States

For states that are a part of NASBA’s CPAES jurisdiction, the application process is much more streamlined. States that decide to utilize NASBA and CPAES do so to make the application process for candidates more simplified.

Candidates applying through CPAES will find that there are no third-party companies/organizations used to help evaluate credentials or process their application. This means that US CPA Exam costs have less variation from state to state. Initial application, individual US CPA Exam sections, and registration/re-examination fees remain relatively the same.

For these states, candidates go directly through CPAES to learn more about what requirements they need to meet to be eligible to sit for the US CPA Exam. CPAES works with the State Board of Accountancy to determine this. The only other time CPAES interacts with State Boards of Accountancy are when candidates are issued their actual CPA US license.

Many international candidates apply to states under NASBA’s CPAES jurisdiction since the application process can be more efficient and simpler, offering in-house credential evaluation services as well as other resources that tailor to their unique circumstances.

The difference between applying to sit for the CPA Exam through NASBA vs. a state board of accountancy

NASBA CPA Examination Services (CPAES) provides a comprehensive array of services to state boards of accountancy related to the Uniform CPA Examination (Exam). Using this service means that some processes like application processing, credential evaluations and score reporting are managed through the website. There are 32 states/jurisdictions that utilize this service. Visit the NASBA website in order to check if your jurisdiction participates.

If your jurisdiction does not participate in the CPAES service, then you will have to visit your state board’s accountancy website. You may be able to submit items online or you may be required to mail them. Also, communication regarding scoring may occur through the website or through mail.

Finding an easier state

What to do if you don’t have 150 credit hours, are a non-accounting major, lack the required work experience, or are not a U.S. citizen/resident, you will have fewer state board options from which to choose.

So, either way, you can determine the easiest state to become a CPA US by comparing your current qualifications and plans for the future with the CPA US state requirements and discovering how you can meet those requirements in your situation.

States That Don’t Require 150 Hours of Education

A typical 4-year bachelor’s degree only awards you 120 credit hours of education. Therefore, you must acquire additional education to meet the CPA US course education requirement of 150 credit hours.

What’s more, you must understand that 150 hours is the standard for all accounting students graduating within the U.S. Therefore, the state boards are simply asking you to match that standard. In the past, some states allowed candidates to get the CPA US license with just 120 credit hours (California, Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire), but every state now enforces the 150-hour rule.

CPA US Course Work Experience Requirements by State

The CPA work requirement has the most variability of all the requirements. Some state boards that only accept experience under a licensed CPA, while others readily accept academic and non-public accounting experience.

Many states substitute higher amounts of non-public accounting work experience for lower amounts of experience acquired under the direct supervision of a CPA. Most states require 1-2 years of relevant accounting experience, and they often make provisions for part-time work as well.

Picking a State Board Based on CPA Licensure Requirements

If you believe that meeting the requirements of the state in which you currently reside will be too challenging, then a different state may be a better fit for you. Furthermore, if you don’t have 150 credit hours, are a non-accounting major, lack the required work experience, or are not a U.S. citizen/resident, you will have fewer state board options from which to choose. So, either way, you can determine the easiest state to become a CPA by comparing your current qualifications and plans for the future with the CPA state requirements and discovering how you can meet those requirements in your situation.

States That Don’t Require 150 Hours of Education

A typical 4-year bachelor’s degree only awards you 120 credit hours of education. Therefore, you must acquire additional education to meet the CPA education requirement of 150 credit hours. What’s more, you must understand that 150 hours is the standard for all accounting students graduating within the U.S. Therefore, the state boards are simply asking you to match that standard. In the past, some states allowed candidates to get the CPA license with just 120 credit hours (California, Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire), but every state now enforces the 150-hour rule.

Taking the CPA Exam Without an Accounting Degree?

Here Are the States That Don’t Require an Accounting Degree. Instead of a full accounting degree, some states simply require candidates to have a certain number of accounting credits to earn the CPA license. Usually, these state boards ask for about 24 credit hours in accounting. You’ll still need to earn a bachelor’s degree, but it can be from a different major, such as marketing.

But oftentimes, these states will enforce a stricter experience requirement to compensate for less stringent educational requirements. For example, the U.S. Virgin Islands has 2 paths to CPA licensure that do not specify a certain number of required accounting courses.

Instead, these options substitute higher levels of work experience for the presence of particular accounting education hours. South Carolina, on the other hand, requires CPA candidates to have 24 semester hours in accounting courses. So, the range of CPA class requirements among jurisdictions is fairly broad.

Many CPA state boards also specify the level of accounting courses you must take. They often limit lower-level accounting classes and require more upper-level (junior-level and above, 300+) courses. Additionally, several states have certain mandatory courses that each CPA candidate must take to fulfil the upper-level requirements.

Moreover, a jurisdiction also has the prerogative to disallow lower-level credits earned through non-traditional methods. To use South Carolina as an example again, this jurisdiction requires 24 of the 36 semester hours in accounting to be junior level or above. They also include a list of 4 mandatory upper-level courses: cost/managerial accounting, auditing, intermediate/financial accounting, and U.S. Tax. South Carolina also does not accept non-traditional credits such as placement credits and exemptions.

Consequently, some jurisdictions are much more particular about the accounting courses you must take. For this reason, earning the CPA as a non-accounting major usually involves a bit more concentration and effort.

States That Don’t Require Traditional Work Experience

Can you earn the CPA license without work experience? Not really. But in some states, the CPA experience requirements are laxer than in others. For example, most states nowadays are fine with general accounting work from private industries, government, and even academic teaching positions. Therefore, a non-public accounting career plan shouldn’t be an issue when choosing a CPA state board of accountancy.

Instead, due to the popularity of leniency in this area, you have several options for fulfilling the CPA work experience requirement. If you have never worked in public accounting and don’t plan to work in public accounting, you still have several state boards from which to choose. However, some of these state boards require additional years of experience from a non-public accounting field. North Carolina, for example, requires 4 years of experience teaching accounting at a college or university or 4 years of experience working in the field of accounting without the supervision of a CPA.

On the other hand, this jurisdiction only requires 1 year of accounting experience under the supervision of a CPA. That’s quite a difference! Many other states only require 1 year of work experience, whether it be in academics, general accounting, or public accounting. So, if you don’t plan to work in public accounting, you should seek to apply to one of these states, as you wouldn’t have to work 4 times longer than necessary (like you would in North Carolina) if you don’t have to.

No Work Experience Completed under the Supervision of a U.S. CPA

Maybe you’ve never worked under a CPA US and never plan to. For example, maybe you work in a private industry where CPAs are less common. Or maybe you work outside the U.S. and your supervisor isn’t licensed in the United States. In these cases, you’ll need to find a state board of accountancy that makes allowances for these situations with their CPA experience requirements. Some states do when the candidates can prove that substantial accounting skills have been relevant to their jobs.

And typically, any supervisor who can reasonably verify that you are using relevant accounting skills will suffice. However, self-employment does not usually satisfy the work experience requirement. Examples of states you could apply to when you don’t plan to work under a CPA include the jurisdictions of Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Virginia. After all, they recognize experience supervised by a non-CPA. So, as long as you work in a relevant field, you can get a license for one of these states.

Additionally, Montana, Washington, Arkansas, and Indiana allow someone other than your boss to verify your experience. So, this exception provides some flexibility as well. Finally, there are even some states that don’t require any working experience. But CPA licenses they offer in these situations restrict how you can hold yourself out as a CPA US. One example is Guam, which has an inactive license. Massachusetts is another option because it offers a non-reporting license.

Which State Board is Favourable for International Students?

Based on the flexibility, below are some CPA US state boards which appear suitable for International students.

A. Virginia

May Accept BCOM + CA; Your Supervisor/Verifier doesn’t Need to be a CPA. You can sit for the exam in Virginia as long as you have 120 credit hours, 24 accounting credit hours and 24 business credit hours. Also, I heard that BCOM + CA could be deemed an equivalent US bachelor degree as long as the evaluation report says so. Given rules change all the time, BCOM + CA holders who want to take this route must first double check with Virginia state board.

Another great advantage of Virginia is the flexibility of working experience requirement. You need to work 1 year in a relevant field, but, unlike most other state boards, Virginia doesn’t require your supervisor (i.e. your verifier of experience) to be a CPA. This means that as long as you work in accounting, you can qualify to get the license.

Restrictions/disadvantages of Virginia

Strict requirement of social security number, which makes most international candidates and H4 visa holders ineligible. You need to be concentrated in accounting, i.e. this state is not for non-accounting majors. At the end of the day you do need 150 credit hours to get the license.

B. Guam:

120 Credit Hour + No Experience Needed if You don’t Mind the Inactive License. As long as you are an accounting major with a 4-year bachelor degree, and do NOT practice within Guam territory (hold yourself as a Guam CPA), you can get an “inactive” license without SSN, working experience and fulfilling the 150 credit hours.If you are not an accounting major you do need to fulfil the 150 credit hours.

C. Alaska: 

One can Sit Before Getting 120 Credit Hours. There are quite a lot of international candidates going through Alaska so it’s worth mentioning here. Since Alaska allows candidates to sit for the exam before the graduation, 3-year BCOM degree holders can technically sit for the exam as long as they fulfil enough accounting credit hours (the requirement depends on whether you are an accounting or non-accounting major).

Washington:

Experience can be Verified by third party. Washington requires candidates to have the full 150 credit hours to sit for the exam, but your experience can be verified by a CPA who is not your supervisor. In other words, you can verify the non-US experience that you may have by someone you know who happens to be a US CPA — could be friend, a mentor, a business partner, which makes things much easier.

For Washington, this verifier must be an active US CPA for 5 years or more. The working experience requirement is also quite vague: 2 years of relevant experience deemed appropriate by the Board. I suggest that you find out whether your work is acceptable (by double checking with the state board) before applying through Alaska.

Conclusion

By now, we came to the end of our journey regarding state wise requirements for US CPA exam and licensure procedures. Understanding the US CPA Exam and license requirements for the state you’re interested in as early as possible can help you better prepare for the exam. By judicious selection of the appropriate state board, CPA US course is very much doable and possible to achieve within the stipulated period of 18 months.

It is to be mentioned here that Uplift Professionals, a premier training institute for CPA guides its students efficiently to cross all the hurdles in a smooth manner to cherish their dream of becoming a CPA and uplift their career to an elevated horizon.

About the top CPA US Course training institute in India, Africa, and Middle East – Uplift Pro

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CPA, US CMA, US CIA, Enrolled Agent US, ACCA UK courses in India, Africa, and Middle East. Our team consists of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from IIEST, IITs, London Business School, and ULCA who have decided to provide a strong backup to young ambitious students and professionals to reach their desired career destinations in an organized way.

Uplift Pro, is an authorized partner of Gleim in India, provides you with authentic Gleim materials, updates and Live Online Interactive Classes for CPA US by internationally experienced veteran mentors. All at an Indian Cost. 

Some of our exclusive features include –

A. Affordable US CPA course fees

B. CPA certified veteran TEAM of faculties

C. Live online classes ensuring that the regular office working hours is least impacted. Moreover, they provides class recordings.

D. 1:1 personal support from our 30 plus years of experienced CPA certified faculties ensuring that all our students pass the US CPA course

E. “Till you pass” guarantee assuring that students can attend our live online classes at no extra cost until you pass

F. Premium study materials with practice questions bank enabling students to pass the US CPA exam in India and rest of the world

G. Administrative guidance on US CPA evaluation procedure

H. Placement assistance

Request for Live Demo class / contact at +91-8787088850 to book your seats now.

In the field of accounting, one can get easily confused amid the sea of ellipsis. But a hard core conceptual understanding of certain accreditations is vital to look for a licensed tax professional to guide you through your financial needs intelligently. When making your decision about whom to work with, you may wonder about the differences between an enrolled agent (EA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA US Course).

Both CPA and EA are credentials that should uphold stringent ethics and standards. EA is regulated on the federal level and CPA US Course is regulated on the state level. As CPAs are licensed at the state level means they have limited scope of practice within those jurisdictions. 

An enrolled agent and a certified public accountant are both tax experts and the work they do is often similar, but there are some differences between an EA vs CPA US Course.

To understand the difference between an EA and a CPA, you should start with the responsibilities and day-to-day work of each. Here’s an overview of both.

A. What is an EA (Enrolled Agent)?

EAs are federally authorized tax practitioners who can

1. Represent taxpayers before the IRS on matters ranging from collections to IRS audits and appeals. Additionally, they often:

2. Provide tax advice

3. File tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and other entities with tax-reporting requirements

4. To become an EA, candidates must pass a three-part test, apply to the IRS, and pass a background check.

To maintain the EA designation, they must

1. Complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years.

2. Comply with ethical standards established by the Department of Treasury.

3. Many EAs are also members of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, which has even higher standards for continuing education, as well as its own Code of Ethics.

B. What is a CPA US course (Certified Public Accountant)?

CPA US Course are state-licensed accounting professionals who may be:

·       Auditors

·       Accountants

·       Business advisors

·       Corporate accountants and executives

·       Tax consultants

·       Forensic accountants

·       Financial planners

To become a CPA, candidates must

1. Pass a four-part exam and comply with education and experience requirements. The exam is the same no matter which state it’s taken in, but every state has its own education and experience requirements. Most require at least a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of public accounting experience.

2. Each state also has its own rules for maintaining the license, but most require at least 40 hours of continuing education per year, with four of those hours covering ethics.

3. Each state’s board of accountancy, CPA society, and other regulatory agencies have ethical rules and regulations that CPAs must abide by.

4. Many CPAs are also members of the American Institute of CPAs, which has its own Code of Professional Conduct.

C. Comparison: EA Vs. CPA US course

Enrolled agents, or EAs, :- are tax preparers the IRS has authorized to represent taxpayers. Enrolled agent clients include individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and any entities with tax-reporting requirements.

Certified Public Accountants, or CPAs :- are licensed accountants with the statutory privilege to sign an audit report. They can prepare financial accounts, provide audit services, and advise clients on tax matters. Normally, the clients of CPAs are businesses requiring both accounting and tax services.

The steps to becoming an EA or a CPA US Course are quite similar. The main difference between these two processes is the manner in which you fulfill the basic requirements.

C.1 The Exam Eligibility

In order to become an enrolled agent, you must either take the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE), also known as the enrolled agent (EA) exam, or have previous work experience at the IRS. While passing the exam is much easier once you’ve acquired several years of tax experience, there is no prerequisite for taking the EA exam. Therefore, you could sit for it during college if you wanted. You just need a Personal Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to schedule the exam.

In contrast, you must meet educational requirements to take the US CPA Exam. The various state boards of accountancy establish the US CPA Exam application and licensure requirements, and almost everyone expects you to have 120 credit hours of education to sit for the exam. Yes, this requirement is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, and many state boards also prefer you have your degree in accounting.

C.2 The Exam Content

The EA exam has three parts, and most people find the first and third parts to be the easiest because some experienced tax professionals can pass these parts with minimal studying. Conversely, almost everyone must work hard to pass the second part–Businesses– so it’s naturally considered the hardest.

On the other hand, the US CPA Exam has four parts and much broader content. The section equivalent to the EA exam is Regulation (REG), and only about 70% of the REG content directly relates to the EA exam. The rest covers other topics such as business law.

Still, when we compare REG’s taxation section to the EA exam’s taxation section, we uncover quite a lot of overlap. In fact, the amount of shared content can help candidates earn both certifications at the same time. Candidates who have trouble passing REG can shift their focus to passing the EA exam and earning the EA designation. Once they’ve done so, they can use their expanded tax knowledge to return to the US CPA Exam, pass it, and get their CPA license as well.

C3. The Experience Requirement

If you pursue the enrolled agent designation via the EA exam, you don’t have to meet an experience requirement. You simply must pass the exam. You’ll receive your exam results immediately, and once you’ve passed; you can apply for enrollment. The IRS explains that processing your application may take as long as 60 days (90-120 days if you’re a former IRS employee). Also, as part of their evaluation of your enrollment application, the IRS will conduct a suitability test that includes a review of your personal tax compliance.

To complete your journey to the CPA license, once you’ve passed all four US CPA Exam sections, you must meet the experience and education requirements. The 150-hour education requirement expects you to earn an additional 30 credit hours on top of your base 120 hours (120 + 30 = 150). Satisfying the experience requirement usually involves working in an accounting position for 1-2 years. While there could be exceptions to the rule, CPA licensure generally has a much higher barrier of entry than the enrolled agent credential.

C4. The Career and Compensation

EAs usually don’t work for a firm. They have their own clients and therefore can work at home with flexible hours. Many CPAs start out in audit firms, but as they accumulate experience, they can launch their own CPA firms and have their own clients.

According to Payscale.com, enrolled agents typically make between $33K to $80K a year, while CPAs make between $49K to $115K per year. Enrolled agents also have the opportunity to earn extra money during tax season. Finally, it is to be noted that the IRS puts both EAs and CPAs on the same level.

US CPA salary in India ? In India a fresh CPA starts with a minimum salary of INR 6 Lakh annually in a Big4 or MNC. The salary increases at higher rate compared to non-certified peers. Meanwhile, a CFO can earn more than INR 1 Cr annually.

D. Value Addition

D.1 The Advantage of EAs

1. EAs are tax specialists and work on tax matters only, so they can specialize in certain areas such as tax preparation or tax resolution. The EA designation is a federal credential. Since the enrolled agent credential comes from the IRS and includes the unlimited right to practice on a federal level, EAs can work with clients who have filings all across the United States.

2. Enrolled agents are a more affordable option than tax attorneys. Usually, enrolled agents can perform the same services as a tax attorney for a much lower price. For example, enrolled agents can represent their clients in civil resolution cases.

3. Taking the EA exam is faster than taking the US CPA Exam. EA exam only has three parts, while the US CPA Exam has four.

4. The EA questions are easier, so most candidates only need a few months to pass the EA exam. the benefit of the EA exam is that the sooner you can get licensed, the sooner you and your clients can enjoy your improved status with the IRS.

D.2 The Advantage of CPAs

1. CPAs can handle both accounting and tax matters.

2. CPA’s or CPA US Course expertise mainly lies in accounting and auditing, but most can provide tax filing services as well. This combination is attractive to small businesses that need both audit and tax services, preferably from the same team.

3. CPAs can take a holistic approach for better tax planning.

4. For businesses, hiring a CPA is the more sensible option because someone who “knows the numbers” can make better tax plans.

E. EA vs. CPA

EAs and CPAs are both knowledgeable, experienced professionals who are required to maintain high ethical standards. The primary difference between an EA vs CPA US Course is that EAs specialize in taxation, and CPAs can specialize in taxation and more.

E.1 Working with an EA

If you need help with an IRS issue, such as a collection problem or an audit, then an EA might be your best bet. They’re typically adept at dealing with the IRS, and some EAs even worked as IRS agents before opening their own practices.

They’re also a great option if you need tax preparation and planning advice for an individual or business. While EAs can’t provide compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statements like most CPA’s can, they can generally perform bookkeeping work to put the business’s records into tax-basis statements that they then use to prepare a tax return.

E.2 Working with a CPA

CPAs are federally approved to represent you in all matters before the IRS. Those that specialize in tax preparation can also typically help you with tax and financial planning, accounting needs, and most other financial tasks that you might have.

Look to a CPA to identify the credits and deductions you qualify for to increase your tax refund and help lower your tax bill. Additionally, if you have broader accounting needs — for instance, your bank requires a reviewed financial statement to comply with loan covenants — then working with a CPA can be beneficial.

F. Focus, Skill and Rate Comparison: Differences Between CPA US Course & Enrolled Agent

Criteria	CPA	EA
Professional Focus	Broad accounting, tax and financial services for businesses	Taxes for businesses and individuals
Qualifications for Practice	State education requirements (usually 150 hours of undergrad); pass CPA US Course exam	Five years IRS experience; pass the EA exam
Hourly rate	Average of $30 to $500, depending on experience, rank within firm, whether CPA is a firm owner	Average of $12 to $55

G. Which one to Choose? EA vs. CPA US Course

Enrolled agents are not as well-known as CPAs, but they are as good if not better with income tax matters. The path to the CPA US Course is long and arduous but more popular. If you think this is the path for you, carry on. But if you’d like to specialize in tax matters and get on the fast track to working at home with your own clients, then set your course for the EA credential.

When deciding between an EA or a CPA US Course, you will see that both types of professionals are well-qualified. They can both deliver the financial guidance you may need for your taxes. However, which one you should consult depends largely on which issue you’re looking to resolve. As could help you work through an IRS audit or a collection problem, and they can also perform bookkeeping services that could be useful for businesses when preparing tax returns.

CPAs, however, are more adept in meeting your financial planning and accounting needs; and when it comes to tax planning, they can also help you identify tax credits and deductions to lower your tax liability.

Both types of professionals are equally qualified to perform similar tasks, but there are differences in the range of services offered. CPAs can provide a much wider scope of tax services than an EA can. What’s more, general population demand is greater for CPAs than EAs.

If you have accounting needs with a micro focus, working with an EA could be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you are interested in accounting practices that have nothing to do with taxes, such as auditing, then the CPA US Course option may be best.

About the top CPA US Course training institute in India, Africa, and Middle East – Uplift Pro

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CPA, US CMA, US CIA, Enrolled Agent US, ACCA UK courses in India, Africa, and Middle East. Our team consists of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from IIEST, IITs, London Business School, and ULCA who have decided to provide a strong backup to young ambitious students and professionals to reach their desired career destinations in an organized way.

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