US CPA Exams in India

Unlike any other accounting exams, the US CPA exam in India requires correct planning, constant motivation and guidance from experts. In this era of competitive world, preparing for such exams is taking a mental or emotional toll on students. Further there are not many articles or discussion groups dedicated to discussing the topic. This is quite evident in the case of working professionals to manage their CPA study preparation with a hectic work schedule.

Almost every US CPA exam candidate can say that they’ve experienced lack of clarity and guidance during the course of their studying at least a few times, if not many. In this perspective, it would appear beneficial to discuss some tips and strategies that will help students to succeed in the US CPA exam in India.

CPA is a professional course and many working people take up this course along with their full-time jobs. Preparing for such an extensive course content along with a job can be a daunting task if not planned properly. One needs to first formulate a strategy on how to prepare for the CPA exam without affecting the personal and professional life. A disciplined approach towards studies is required to pass the CPA exam. Somebody who is working and planning for CPA studies should consider the below mentioned points:

CPA Exam Planning Framework to Pass- At a Glance

A. Don’t give yourself too much time to study, high intensity is better.

B. Find the right CPA review Course for your learning style and avoid busy work.

C. Use trial and error with your CPA review course to determine the best way to gain an understanding of the AICPA blueprints.

D. Make the CPA exam a priority by being ruthless with your time.

E. Mentally prepare for the possibility of failure, because statistically it’s weird if you DON’T fail at least one section.

F. Surround yourself with CPA exam mentors and tutors.

Based on the above points, let’s discuss the strategies for a working professional to pass US CPA exam in 2022.

1. Balancing the Work and Study Plan

Track your progress and make daily notes on how things are going. At the end of each day, write down how much time you spent preparing for the CPA Exam. An easy way to do this is to give yourself a grade on your daily performance.

On a calendar, give yourself an A, B, C, or an F. Yes, you can skip the D since we need to keep things simple. Or, if you like, you can rate yourself with stars. It doesn’t matter what type of grading system you use, as long as you keep it simple. This exercise will serve a couple of purposes. When you approach your daily studies knowing there’s a grade at the end, you are more likely to strive to do better.

Another reason you want to track your performance is that it prevents you from letting bad habits get too far out of hand. Seeing trends in your progress will allow you to make adjustments to how you’re approaching your studies.

If you score badly on a practice exam, you can easily go back to your daily log and see what things contributed to your score. Maybe you did not get enough sleep or perhaps you have some outside stresses interfering with your studies. No matter what the issues are, having a daily log will ensure that you are holding yourself accountable and give you an easy way to see if you need to adjust your plan.

Your practice exam scores will tell you just about everything you need to know about your preparation. Be honest and flexible with the way you rate your performance. If you did poorly on a couple practice exams early on but are showing improvement, there’s less cause for concern than if you were doing well and started to decline. Make sure your daily grade helps support your improvement. The whole point of this exercise is to keep you on the right path, not to waste your time by beating yourself up.

The most common issue students, particularly, the working professionals face today is distractions. This may require you to take an honest look at how you study. If you find yourself responding to text messages or checking Facebook during your study time, you are only hurting yourself. Each day ask yourself, “is the study time I am putting in quality time?”, “am I getting closer to my weekly study goal or am I flat-lining in my learning performance?”, “are my quizzes getting better or worse?”, “am I prepared for a practice exam?”, “are my practice exam scores improving?”

The daily log is one of the best ways to track your progress and when you do well, please be sure to reward yourself. The goal is to increase your knowledge while continuing to improve your scores. A small reward will give you the boost you need to push through the drudgery we all experience in our studies. Plan the work and work your study plan by grading yourself daily. When you achieve your goal, you will be glad you did!

2. Setting Achievable Targets

If you ask most people studying for the CPA exam what their goal is, they immediately say something like “to pass the CPA Exam.” While you, too, may have that same goal, it is more helpful to break it down into manageable pieces. Having an end goal of passing the CPA exam is great, but it’s too large of a task and since it is not defined by smaller, attainable goals, it leaves a lot of room for failure.

There are way too many moving parts to passing the CPA exam and the only real way to succeed is to break that large goal down into daily action and achievements. Knowing how to study for the CPA exam starts with establishing these smaller goals; once you’ve identified these smaller goals, write them down on your calendar.

Daily targets

This can be set like this: Read for 30 minutes (minimum 15-20 pages). Watch 30 minutes of video lectures. Answer 50 FAR quiz questions.

Weekly Targets

For example: Read for 4 hours (minimum 150 pages). Watch 2 hours of video lectures. Answer 150 FAR quiz questions.

Monthly Targets

Examples: Read 1/2 of the FAR textbook. Score 85% or higher on my practice quizzes. Watch 8 hours of video lectures. Answer 400 practice questions. Prepare to take the FAR CPA practice exam in the next 60 days and schedule the FAR exam within the next 90 days.

Now, it has to be kept in mind that these are just examples which have to be set without compromising your office work schedule, but do you see how these definitive goals require you to take daily, weekly, and monthly action?

Having real targets written down on a calendar or organizer helps you take manageable steps toward the much larger goal of passing FAR, REG, BEC, and AUD. Each day needs to be one that’s moving you closer to your final objective; anything else is taking you further away.

Be sure you include some days off for rest in your study plan. Most students need a couple days to decompress from heavy studying and CPA exam prep is no different. Have deadlines for taking each exam so you can have them all completed within 18 months or less.

3. The Positive Intention

The CPA exam is a difficult sport of the mind, and it leaves thousands in its wake every year. Do you work with intention? Do you demand success or at least some kind of progress from yourself each and every time you open your books to study?

While most people studying for the CPA exam are not playing in any sports to just participate, rather, they are most certainly playing to win. The question for you is, how bad do you want it? If you are not currently 100% dedicated, you need to be when it comes to CPA exam prep and self-study.

When you log into your CPA Review course or crack your textbooks for another study session, do so with the intention of winning. Fill your head with valuable information by watching video lectures and then, dig deeper into a subject by reading. Get involved with the community and see if you really are mentally in the game. Take some quizzes to see how much you retained, but whatever you do, study and prepare to win.

If you don’t study with the intention of passing, you are not fully committed. As obvious as all of this is, many students are simply going through the motions. You cannot afford to be one of them. If you find passion waning, take a moment to remember all of the reasons why you want to pass the CPA exam and this should help to reset your inner drive.

4. Visualizing the Success

Here the mantra is “Dream it, believe it, Achieve it”. By regularly seeing yourself achieve a goal or benchmark, you are changing the way you prioritize everything you do. Just wanting something badly is not enough to succeed at it though. Beliefs and dreams can only turn into achievements if the right steps are taken, and in the right order. From dreams come actions and as you take action, you are setting yourself apart from those that just talk.

By taking action, you are now becoming a self-visualized doer! What would normally be a place to spend free time may come to be seen as a distraction. Old interests may become complete detours and dream-killing dead ends. If you want to achieve something like passing the CPA exam, visualize the end result and work daily to make progress.

 When you get to the place where you truly realize just how bad you want to pass the CPA exam, break the process down into its simpler parts and take regular action. Are you driven enough and motivated enough to put in the sustained effort to get to the finish line? Sure, we all find excuses to not study and need outside motivation to get back into our coursework. Do you have a group that you can count on?

The Fast Forward Academy CPA community is a great place to not only connect with others, but it’s also a great place to get the occasional nudge you might need. Just be sure to pay it forward and help others when they need it to. You will be surprised at just how much a few words can mean to someone struggling with a difficult topic or section in the reading.

If you feel your motivation beginning to wane, take a moment to help a few folks. The mental break and kind words shared with others will help fill your tank back up and remind you why you started on this journey in the first place. Yes, much of the motivation you have, comes from within and sharing and helping others is just one more way to recharge your internal batteries.

As you study and take a quiz, constantly check to make sure you are understanding the questions you miss. Go back and see why you missed them. If you’re having difficulty grasping a subject, connect with others in a study group or join a community discussion to see what others have written there.

Again, the Fast Forward Academy CPA review course offers access to an active community full of students and instructors that can help you. These connections will have lasting, positive benefits. To recap, visualize the end result, take daily steps to get there and help those that need it along the way. Your dreams can and will become achievements if you take the time to visualize and actualize your goals daily!

5.Tracking the Progress

Productive study time is a direct result of setting goals and working your weekly study plans. Your study plans represent a lot of self-sacrifice and a commitment to become more prepared for the CPA exam than you were the day before. Before you study, make the decision to do so with purpose and the intention of getting better. Know what you want to study and just do it; knowing how to study for the CPA exam starts with knowing what to study. At the end of your study session, ask yourself the following questions:

·       Did I learn something new?

·       Did I tune out the distractions around me and focus on my studies?

·       Did I help someone else understand a difficult subject to help further my own learning?

·       Was my day productive?

·       Did I accomplish my daily study goal, whether it was to read a set number of pages in your textbook, watch a set number of video lectures, or answer a set number of quiz questions?

If you answered yes to these questions than give yourself an “A” or “4 stars” or something positive to track your daily success. If not, figure out what was holding you back and move on. To truly track your progress, you not only need to be honest with your performance, but you also need to do it daily, just like brushing your teeth.

6.Use the Right Study Tools

Many study tools on the market can help you study for the CPA Exam. The best ones review theoretical concepts and then reinforce those concepts by applying them to practice questions. The AICPA has some basic free CPA Exam study materials. They also have free CPA Exam sample tests and a video that shows you how to use the CPA Exam platform. The right tools will help you study more efficiently and effectively, ultimately making passing the CPA Exam a lot less painful. However, before you purchase any study aids, you should step back and take stock of your study plan.

7. Study Pace and Duration

When it comes to studying for major exams like the CPA Exam, scientists have found that studying in short bursts over long periods of time (such as 10 hours per week for 10 weeks, for example) is much better than studying for long hours over a short period of time (for example, 5 hours a day every day for 3 weeks). For most of us, we can only effectively absorb information for so long. If we sit and study for too long, we start to lose focus, and our brains simply can’t retain as much information.

8. Don’t Second Guess Yourself

If you want to pass the CPA exams in your first try, then you must not second guess yourself. Technically, if you have time left after answering all of the multiple-choice questions in a testlet, you can go back and change your answers. However, I advise against doing that. In many cases, you will second guess yourself and submit an incorrect answer. Instead, take a bold “one and done” attitude. Approach each question to the best of your ability. Give your best answer, and then move on.

9. Don’t get tripped up.

When studying simulations for the CPA Exam, be aware that too many details can throw you off course. If the question asks about accounts receivable, then answer that question and don’t lose focus on unrelated points, Bickel noted. Also, be aware of words like “not,” “except,” and “only”, which can also make you stumble. “Be observant,” she said. ” Read the whole question and look for these keywords.”

10. The Four “C” s to Success

CONFIDENCE

Most people know that with experience and practice comes confidence. Whether it’s competing in sports, taking an exam, or going in for a job interview, you need to know what your goals are. Having a plan will give you the confidence you need to succeed. The good news is that nearly any challenge can be broken down into manageable parts or steps.

If you have a mental punch list which allows you to respond to each mini-challenge along the way, you will have confidence. Achieving CPA exam success is not for faint of heart, it requires a battle plan. You are going to war against an onslaught of questions. You win the war when you get enough points to pass. Walk into the exam room on test day ready to wage your battle with confidence. Doing so will help you pass.

CARE

It’s great to be confident, but this confidence needs to be tempered with great care. Being extremely careful means you are working through the questions at a good pace and reading them quickly but fully to ensure you are not missing the meaning. Questions can and will be missed when you approach them with haste. Just be careful.

CONCENTRATE

Not only do you have to begin the challenge with laser-like concentration, but you must also maintain that concentration for the duration of the entire exam. It can take a little time to settle into the exam, but the practice exams you’ve previously taken should have prepared you for this.

Practice exams are invaluable to the process because they train you to enter a concentrated state of answering questions, so that come exam day, you’re very familiar with feeling and mindset. On CPA exam day, you will be in a room with others, but everyone will be quiet and focused.

Aside from the one or two people asking to use the restroom, or the person that is annoying you when they clear their throat, you really just have your own thoughts to take you in or out of focus. Stay concentrated the entire exam; do not let your concentration wane at all. If you become distracted, reset and change your posture, stretch, or take a deep breath and continue on. Be mindful now of your ability to concentrate during your practice exams. Working on your focus today will go a long way on exam day.

CALM

You have to stay calm regardless of what happens during the exam. Don’t second guess yourself. Get into a mental state of calmness and stay there as you move through the questions and testlets. Significant spikes in blood pressure and heart rate can easily cause you to lose focus.

Breathing exercises can be very helpful for times like these. Being able to get back to your calm, collected state is something you can practice before you take the exam using real-life situations. Feeling anxious or frustrated? Try breathing through it or visualizing things that make you happy. This can help you keep your cool and stay focused on the exam.

Summary

Being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is probably not just a professional goal, but a dream. How exciting is it to be working toward your dream? Remember that when it feels hard. If you develop a good study plan, take help from good quality CPA review materials along with a competent trainer and stick to these CPA Exam study tips, you’ll have a better chance of passing the CPA Exam at first attempt.

Uplift Pro-the Trusted Partner for CPA Exam Preparation

Seek support from experts

Getting guidance from a supportive group of people can put your mind at ease and help you get through rough study days. Like all other exams, the US CPA course too has a specified exam pattern and the candidate needs to undergo lots of practice on those questions to score high marks in the exams. Make sure that you get the right mentors for preparing the exams.

It is recommended to start with the section which you are most familiar with and move forward with there. Always dedicate more time for sections which has less pass rates like BEC exams. Moreover, the US CPA exam patterns are different from the patterns we follow in India or the Asian countries. The key decision is choosing the best US CPA course training institute. Getting guidance from an established training institute not only helps in understanding theoretical subjects, but also attending mock exams, job placement assistance and soft skill training.

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

The Certified Public Accountant or CPA is a credential acquired by professionally skilled accountants across the globe. To attain this credential or license, candidates must qualify the unified CPA Exam and fulfil their state board’s educational and experience requirements.

As the US CPA Exam is held at different locations across the globe all year round, choosing a suitable schedule, date, and Prometric testing centre is of paramount importance.

Are you ready to schedule your US CPA Exam, but need to find out how to get started? Find out everything you need to know to schedule your Exam below!

1. The concerned organizations associated with Exam

1.1 NASBA

The full form is National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. You can find information and guidelines on their website. NASBA issues the candidate bulletin, which helps you with test readiness and also issues your CPA score release.

1.2 AICPA

It stands for American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The AICPA provides exam info and study materials. You can find a lot of answers to common questions on their website. They also publish pass rates.

1.3 Prometric

This organization facilitates the CPA examination. You will register for and reserve a seat at a Prometric test centre to take the exam.

There are four parts to the exam, and each one is taken separately. You must pass all four sections within 18 months. Some sections, like FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting), are harder than others, so give yourself enough time between your exam dates to study.

2022 is a unique year for the US CPA Exam. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the CPA test dates significantly. As of July 1, 2020, the regular testing schedule for the CPA changed. The AICPA made the test available year-round, replacing the four testing windows.

Candidates are able to register for testing throughout the year. A candidate schedules the Exam through Prometric while pays the fees to and receives the Notice to Schedule (NTS) from either the State Board of Accountancy/Agent or NASBA, depending on the provisions of the jurisdiction.

2. US CPA exam in India

Previously, to appear in US CPA exam in India, an Indian candidate had to travel abroad due to non availability of CPA test centers in India. However, this scenario has been changed after CPA testing centers started operating in India, a boon for the Indian CPA US course aspirants as it saves a lot of money incurred on travel and lodging to take the exam outside India.

Indian candidates to write the US CPA exam in India throughout the year from the following 8 Prometric centers :

1. Ahmedabad

2. Bangalore

3. Calcutta

4. Chennai

5. Hyderabad

6. Mumbai

7. New Delhi

8. Trivandrum

US CPA Exam 2022 – 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 Exam will undergo additional changes, mainly to the AUD & BEC sections, with minor revisions to the remaining two sections – FAR & REG….continue reading

3. How to determine if you’re eligible to sit for the US CPA exam?

Before you start the process of scheduling US CPA Exam, you’ll want to determine if you’re eligible to sit. All CPA US course candidates who want to schedule their test, must ensure they have met all of their state’s educational requirements to sit for the exam prior to registration.

Note: Some states only require 120 semester hours to sit for the CPA Exam versus other states that require 150 semester hours.

4.How to apply to sit for exam?

Once the educational requirements are met to sit for the US CPA Exam, it’s time to apply to sit for the CPA Exam by visiting the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to complete all CPA Exam-related tasks.

Note: If you are sitting for the examination in a provisionary state, you may be able to sit for the test a few months before completing all education requirements.

5. When you’ll receive your approval to sit for exam

5.1 Once you’ve met the educational requirements to sit for the US CPA Exam, chosen the jurisdiction from NASBA Website, where you’ll sit for the CPA Exam and receive approval to take the US CPA Exam. This approval is called the Authorization to Test (ATT). The ATT allows you to choose the CPA Exam section(s) you want to take.

5.2 Once you pay the required fees to NASBA for the sections you’re taking, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) via email.

5.3 Once you receive your NTS, you’ll need to sign into your account on the NASBA Website and print your NTS. The NTS indicates which sections of the exam you’re approved to take.

6. When you should schedule your US CPA exam?

There are a couple of ways to decide when to schedule your test. Since the examination is offered throughout the year, it’s easy to find a time that fits your study schedule. However, it’s important to not wait until the last minute to schedule your test.

The Prometric testing centres typically fill up on certain, popular, dates. So, try to schedule your assessment at least a month before you want to sit for the CPA Exam so you’re ensured you have a seat. Deciding when to schedule your US CPA Exam should be determined on a couple of factors.

If you’re motivated by a “testing date,” then scheduling your US CPA Exam early and working towards that date might keep you motivated to stay on track. If you tend to procrastinate, then it might be better to schedule your test further out so you have time to really study prior to sitting for the assessment. Another option is to study for the exam first, then schedule the exam.

7. Steps to schedule your US CPA exam:

1. Submit your CPA exam application and fees

Your application will be approved by your respective state board of accountancy or NASBA (as some states contract NASBA to process applications), using NASBA’s CPA Central.

2. Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) in the mail

Once your ATT is received, you have 90 days to pick which CPA exam section(s) to sit for and when. Once you decide, you will then register and pay your exam fees on the NASBA website.

Note: Some states will send your ATT directly to NASBA, so be aware of this as your 90 days to choose your section(s) will have begun.

3. Verify the information on your Notice to Schedule (NTS)

Between three and six weeks later, you’ll receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS), which allows you to sit for a section of the CPA exam in the United States or at an international testing centre.

4. Schedule your CPA exam section

Now, you can schedule a testing date and time with a Prometric testing center. But know that your NTS is valid for six months only (in most states, see below for exceptions to this rule), so don’t wait to make your plans or risk paying more exam fees.

Exam date (on or before)	Targeted score release
23-Jul	10-Aug
15-Aug	24-Aug
7-Sep	15-Sep
30-Sep	12-Oct
23-Oct	9-Nov
15-Nov	23-Nov
8-Dec	16-Dec
31-Dec	11-Jan

5. Exceptions to the six-month NTS window include:

a. Texas (90 days)

b. California, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Utah (9 months)

c. Virginia (12 months)

6. The estimated CPA exam score release dates from the AICPA for 2022:

Because the BEC section may require manual scoring on written tasks, CPA exam takers in the earlier part of the year may have experienced delays.

8. How to Schedule Your CPA Exam at a Prometric Testing Centre

The CPA Exam is administered by Prometric Testing Centres, open year-round, 6 days a week, with locations across the U.S. You’ll visit Prometric.com to schedule your US CPA Exam

Prior to visiting the Prometric Website, be sure to have available:

1. Your NTS for eligibility verification

2. A primary photo identification

3. Personal calendar for choosing the date, time, and location to sit for the CPA Exam.

Things you can accomplish on the Prometric Website:

1.Schedule your CPA Exam

2. Locate a Prometric test centre

3. Reschedule your CPA Exam

4. Cancel your CPA Exam

5. Confirm your CPA Exam test date

Once you’ve determined which section to take first, it is recommended that you sit for that part of the exam immediately after studying for that same section. For example, study for FAR and then take FAR, and so on.

8. Steps to schedule your CPA Exam as an International candidate

Note: A Passport is required to test for the CPA Exam at an international location

1.     Apply to sit for the CPA Exam through a State Board of Accountancy that participates in international testing. Visit the NASBA Website for more information.

2.     When you receive your Notice to Schedule, you are then able to schedule your CPA Exam. The NASBA Website provides information on which jurisdictions allow for international testing. If you don’t see your jurisdiction on the NASBA Website, then that means you cannot take the CPA Exam internationally through that jurisdiction.

3.     If your jurisdiction allows international testing, then you’ll pay the international fees and complete your international registration. You will be asked to provide identifying information, as well as information from your NTS.

Note: After you’ve completed the registration process for each CPA Exam section, you’ll need to wait 24 hours before you are able to schedule your Exam. Once you’re ready to schedule your CPA Exam, choose the location where you want to take the CPA Exam.

4.     Choose, “Schedule an Exam.”

5.     Be sure to review and agree to the policy information before proceeding.

6.     You’ll enter your CPA Exam section ID number from your NTS and then enter the first four letters of your last name and choose the bottom right arrow to move ahead.

Note: It’s important to properly confirm your CPA Exam section before moving onto the next section. Also make sure you put in the correct CPA Exam section ID for each section before moving ahead in scheduling.

7.     Choose your location, date and time and then choose “Complete Registration.”

9. Accept data privacy notice

While scheduling the examination, candidates would come across the Data Privacy Notice. They must accept the terms and conditions of the same. At Prometric, the data entered by candidates while registering and scheduling the examination are stored in the central U.S. database. This privacy policy guarantees the protection to all the data stored, confirming no sharing of information with third parties.

10. Important CPA Exam Score Release Information

The AICPA wants you to know the following about your CPA Exam score release date:

All dates and times are based on the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone. Furthermore, both domestic and international candidates receive their scores according to the same score release timeline. However, international candidates may experience a one-day delay due to extra processing and validation.

For most candidates, Prometric sends exam data files to the AICPA within 24 hours after you complete your exam section. The scores from any exam data files the AICPA receives from Prometric after the AICPA cut-off dates will be released in subsequent scheduled target score release dates.

11. How to check CPA Exam scores

Of course, on the CPA Exam score release day, the most important question is, “How can I check my CPA score?” Well, your US CPA Exam results may come from 1 of 2 sources.

First, your state board of accountancy may utilize NASBA’s online score retrieval service. If so, you can visit NASBA’s website on the CPA Exam score release day to get your score (aka the NASBA Candidate Portal). Not all state boards use this service, so you must check with your state board to determine if they do. You should also consult your state board for answers to any of your other score release questions.

Second, your state board may handle the score release process themselves. In that case, you will receive your exam score from them. Your state board may post the scores on their website and then email you when you have the opportunity to find your score there. Or, your state board may mail your scores to you in a physical letter.

Some larger state boards, such as the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) or the Maryland Board of Accountancy, post scores in the accounts their candidates have for their online exam systems. Additionally, the IL Board of Accountancy also does not utilize the NASBA Candidate Portal for score releases.

Again, check with your state board of accountancy soon so you know exactly where to find your CPA test results on the CPA test score release day. When you sit for BEC, you might receive your score approximately 1 week following the target release date. This delay is the result of the additional analysis written communication tasks sometimes require. If you pass the test, you’ll receive a score notice that states your score, your credit status, and the date on which your credit earned for any passed section will expire.

In contrast, if you failed the test, you’ll receive a performance report. In this report, you’ll see your performance on each content area, as well as by Item Type. You’ll find your score notice and performance report in the NASBA Candidate Portal within 72 hours of receiving your score.

If you earned less than a 75 on the exam and a CPA Performance Report is generated, you’ll be compared to candidates who have just passed the exam.

The AICPA defines just passed as a candidate who earns a score between 75 and 80. What’s more, you’ll receive separate high-level information about your performance on MCQs, written communications (BEC only), and TBSs.

12. US CPA Passing Score

A passing score for any and all test sections is 75. This number is a scaled score. Therefore, it does not represent the percentage of questions you got right. Your test score can range from 0 to 99. Also, the AICPA does not curve exam scores.

The AICPA Board of Examiners (BOE) establishes the assessment passing score. To do so, they consider many factors such as standard-setting study results, historical trends, and exam content changes. They also receive input from NASBA, consultant psychometricians, the academic community, and licensed CPAs.

 Then, the AICPA measures your test performance against these pre-established standards. Additionally, they hold every candidate to these same standards.

For AUD, FAR, and REG, your score is the weighted combination of scaled scores from the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs). For BEC, your total score also includes the scaled score of the written communications (WCs).

13. CPA Exam question scoring weight

Question Type	AUD	BEC	FAR	REG
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)	50%	50%	50%	50%
Task-based simulations (TBSs)	50%	35%	50%	50%
Written communications (WCs)	n/a	15%	n/a	n/a

Additional CPA exam notes

The timing for your test is an important element in your timeline for becoming a CPA. If you don’t schedule correctly, your study could either be rushed or prolonged. It’s important that you get all of the details in order, as there are several steps you’ll take, each of which could require some waiting.

14. Here are some things to keep in mind that could impact your schedule

·       Be sure you’ve received your NTS before scheduling

·       Remember, you interact with a few different organizations and websites during this process. After your application is submitted to the State Board of Accountancy, they will review documents to confirm your eligibility.

·       Once they accept your application, they notify NASBA. That is when you receive your official Notice to Schedule (NTS).

·       Until you have your NTS, you should not schedule the assessment. If a delay occurs, you could be bumped off of the schedule or have your plans change unexpectedly.

15. 18-month rolling window

Don’t forget that you have 18 months to take and pass all four sections of the CPA exam. You can’t miss this time limit. You may take the sections in any order and space them however you want, but you can’t exceed that time limit. If you do, you will be forced to reschedule and retake the exam sections.

16. What section of the CPA Exam should you schedule first?

One of the most common questions candidates have when deciding to register for the test is: in what order should I take the CPA assessment ? Choosing between the four assessment sections differs by individual and by how the exam content can change each year. Consider how much content you’ll need to learn when deciding which order to take the CPA exam. In general, when considering which part of the CPA exam to take first, most people choose to do the FAR test or AUD test as their first or second choices.

17.You’re now ready to start your CPA Exam journey!

Last but not the least, you need good quality mentoring from a suitable training institute to crack the test at one go. Uplift Professionals, is a premier training institute for test providing online classes powered by reputed and time tested Gleim CPA review materials.

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.

18. CPA Exam Testing Date 2023:

19. CPA Exam: 2024 Test Administration Schedule/Score Release Timeline:

20. CPA Exam Result Date 2023:

21. Summary

By going through the above information, now you might be quite well acquainted with the steps involved for scheduling your CPA exam in 2020. As you make plans to study for the CPA, you should schedule the CPA exam, figure out the dates you want to take the test, and make sure you give yourself enough time. Remember, you interact with a few different organizations and websites during this process. After your application is submitted to the State Board of Accountancy, they will review documents to confirm your eligibility. Until you have your NTS, you should not schedule the CPA exam. If a delay occurs, you could be bumped off of the schedule or have your plans change unexpectedly. Take the exam head on with the right CPA prep.

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.

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.

The CPA US course certification is being considered as the highest standard of competence in the area of accountancy and a multifaceted covetable credential for the accountants in a global perspective. The CPA US exam is conducted by the AICPA. For this global designation, one has to clear the unified CPA exam.

The Indian CAs are considered equivalent to CPA in Indian perspective. The first step to initiate the US CPA exam application process is to know the eligibility of the candidate to sit for the CPA exam. If one is not eligible for the exam, the respective state board might reject the application where the non refundable application fees are concerned.

For the uniform CPA exam, the eligibility requirements are set by individual US state board, hence, vary as per the state jurisdiction. Although majority of the state boards have the common core set of eligibility criteria,  slightly different benchmarks are also available. The process of US CPA course certification has 2 steps with some different eligibility requirement which are discussed below.

1. Eligibility for the CPA US exam

For this part, one has to review the following checklist before applying for the exam.

1.1 Citizenship 

Do you need to be a US citizen to apply for the CPA US exam? There are few states like North Carolina that require US citizenship as an eligibility criterion for US CPA exam. Hopefully, there are there are a good number of states that allow non citizens to become a US CPA, a boon for the international candidates.

1.2  Social Security Identification(SSI): 

There are certain states like Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana and Maryland which require a valid SSI number for identification available with the US citizens. Again, there are certain states like Illinois, Montana, South Dacota, Wisconsin, New York etc. which does not require a SSI. So, international candidates should select the appropriate state board in a judicious manner.

1.3 Age Requirement

To be eligible for US CPA exam, all 55 licensing state boards have common requirement of minimum 18 years old to be eligible to apply for US CPA exam.

1.4 Academic Qualifications

The educational qualification for eligibility vary across the states with time. However, the main requirements stands with the consideration that the candidate must possess either a bachelor’s degree or 120 college credit hours in order to be eligible for CPA exam.

In Indian context, each academic year in college is assigned a credit of 30 credits. Hence, a 3 year graduation provide 90 credits which mean one has to fetch another 30 credits by pursuing some other accreditated course. Having a 2 year M.Com or MBA after graduation earn 60 credits to make it 150 credit points ultimately.

Although, majority of state boards require the eligible education sector to be in the field of accountancy and finance, hope is there for the candidates without a basic accounting degree. For this, one has to pick a state board which require less number of credit hours in accounting like Maine, Hawai, Georgia, Massachusetts, Alaska etc. Candidates also can look into the experience requirement of a state board to be eligible for the CPA exam.

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

1.5 Business and Accounting Hours

The 120 semester hours must include at least 24 hours of general business courses and 24 hours of upper-division accounting. The general business hours may not include principles or fundamentals in accounting. No more than 9 of the 24 business hours may be from computer courses and no more than 6 of the general business hours may be from upper-division statistics courses.

The 24 hours of accounting must be beyond the principles level. The course work must include auditing, cost/ managerial accounting, financial accounting accounts information system and taxation although, these again vary to some extent across the states.

2.The Eligibility for CPA License 

The first criterion to acquire eligibility to obtain the license is to pass the US CPA exam. The license is required to practice public accounting as a CPA. Apart from this, the eligibility for licensure procedure require the following parameters to be fulfilled  followed by majority of the state boards. To be eligible to obtain a CPA license,

a)  One must complete the university education with 150 credit hours.

b)  One required to have 2000 hours of work experience in taxation, auditing, accounting and the management consultancy, although, it varies across the states.

c)   One has to pass the Ethics exam.

Points to Ponder for International Students:

1)  Indian CAs are no longer acceptable as eligible for US CPA in the states like Colorado, Michigan, New Hampshire etc.

2)  States malleable to some extent are California, Illinois etc.

3)  States that provide flexibility are Virginia, Guam, Alaska, Washington, Montana etc.

4) If you do not complete your graduation in commerce or accounts, you must do it in other streams. Similarly, non accounting graduates must take a diploma for a year or two in public accounting to get the required credits. To get the rest of the credits you may also apply for a master’s degree or a professional course like CA/ICWA etc.

Conclusion

Based on the above information, it can be concluded that checking the eligibility criteria beforehand is the foremost vital step towards the CPA US course journey. For an international candidate, if the jurisdiction is not an issue, then there are certain US states having favorable US CPA exam eligibility based on the educational and working experiences. 

Keep in mind that no specific degree/s is mandate to be eligible for the US CPA Exam if you have the required credit points and accounting hours in your previous academic syllabus and the CPA eligibility criteria vary a lot from one state to another. So even if you do not possess a traditional BCom or MCom degree, you still have chances to explore.  

However, one has to remember that rules and regulations regarding the eligibility are continuously changing. To be sure with the eligibility for US CPA, it is therefore advisable to double check the eligibility criteria with the respective state boards before proceeding with the CPA US exam application process or ask an expert in this field.

Finally, once your eligibility checking done, start studying as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the sooner you will be able to tag yourself as a CPA and boost your career in fast track.

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

Uplift Pro is one of the top training institutes for the US CIA, US CMA, CPA US 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. Also, provides class recordings to students.

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 you may 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

What is US CPA ? CPA US course is one the most sought accounting qualification across the globe. In India, a CPA US holder is considered as equivalent to the Indian CA.  Since US CPA course has worldwide acceptance, its scope is not restricted to one particular country. Hence a US CPA holder has plenty of job opportunities worldwide.

The attractive part of the course is that it can be completed in a year. Another, key change is that the bodies involved in smooth conducting of US CPA exams in India, namely, American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have announced to continue CPA exams test centers in India. In this article, we have also mentioned about the US CPA course details and factors associated with it.

Even people who know nothing about accounting know what a CPA is. It’s a well-respected career, both within and outside of the accounting world, and you’ll feel good presenting your profession to your family, friends and colleagues. While having a high-paying, stable career is great, being happy and enjoying your career is a huge part of your life, and gaining your CPA credential will help you feel fulfilled now and into the future.

We all are aware of Certified Public Accountant i.e. CPA US in India, a globally recognized course generally equivalent to the title of chartered accountant. In the United States, CPA is considered as a license to provide accounting service to the public.

US CPAs are considered trusted advisors and is considered to be the highest level of certification, earned by an accountant. Also, the CPA title separates you from others and allows you to count yourself as a member among one of the most highly respected and prestigious professions.

A. US CPA course eligibility

The students must should have a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Masters with minimum 120 credit points. Further, the students should complete 150 hours of the CPA course semester. The details are as below

1.1 Education: 

Candidates must meet the 120 credit hours (a bachelor’s degree + 30 extra credit from Master degree) to write the exam and 150 credit hours for the licensure.

The eligibility criteria of the CPA exam differ from state to state. But in major cases maximum state boards require 120 to 150 credit points. A student should have a minimum college degree of 120 credit points. Additional 20 points by covering courses like business law, management. 

 1.2 Experience:

Most state boards demand that, in order to apply for a CPA License, candidates must possess at least 150 credit points and at least 2 years of professional experience under a licensed CPA or equivalent (for ex: Indian CA or ACCA). After passing the CPA exam, a candidate generally gets 3 years of time to apply for the license.

2. US CPA duration

Typically its takes nearly 9-12 months to complete the course with exams conducted every month.

3. US CPA exam syllabus

The US CPA exam in India or US CPA exams has four examinations as following:

1. Regulation (REG)

2. Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

3. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

4. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

The duration of each section of exam is 4 hours (total of 16 hours)

The typical question format consists of the following –

A. Multiple – Choice Questions

B. Task-Based Simulations

C. Written Communication

For more details about US CPA exam in India, click:

3.1 Below is the structure of US CPA exam.

1. Regulation (REG)

Topic	Weightage in %
Professional Responsibilities, Ethics, and Federal Tax Procedures	10-20
Business Law	10-20
Property Transaction Federal Taxation	12-22
Individual Federal Taxation	15-25
Entity Federal Taxation	28-38

2. Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

Topic	Weightage in %
Professional Responsibilities, Ethics, and General Principles	15-25
Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response	25-35
Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence	30-40
Forming Conclusions and Reporting	10-20

3. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

Topic	Weightage in %
Standard-Setting, Conceptual Framework, and Financial Reporting	25-35
Financial Statement Accounts	30-40
Transactions	20-30
Local and State Governments	5-15

4. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

Topic	Weightage in %
Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Controls and Business Processes	20-30
Economic Concepts and Analysis	15-25
Financial Management	10-20
Information Technology	15-25
Operations Management	15-25

4. US CPA exam in India – Pass rate

Candidates appearing for exam is required to score of 75 or more on each section to pass, and each section must be passed within an 18-month window, which begins as soon as the candidate passes the first exam. CPA exam scoring is treated with a high level of importance, due diligence, and attention to accuracy.

The below table depicts the US CPA exam pass rate in last few years. As evident, the pass rate is nearly 51%. This makes CPA qualification a top most certification. To become successful in the exam, candidates needs to follow a systematic study plan and prioritize key sections.

Thinking of how to pass the exam ʔ.  Don’t worry. Through training from Uplift Professionals, candidates can get expert advice on exam strategy to ensure high marks.

Section	2017	2018	2019	2020
AUD	49%	51%	51%	55%
BEC	53%	59%	60%	68%
FAR	44%	46%	46%	53%
REG	47%	53%	56%	64%

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

After clearing all 4 sections, candidates have to clear the ethics exam. After fulfilling the requirement, licence fees has to be paid to obtain the licence from the respective state board.

4.1 CPA certificate vs. license- the 2 tier system:

For CPA certificate:

1) No work experience required.
2) No requirement of continuing education.
3) Not been able to sign tax returns, audit reports or use the title on any official/ legal reports.
4) Some states though allow to use the title as prefix to name on unofficial documents like resume while others totally forbid such use.

For CPA licensure:
1) Majority of states require minimum 1-2 yrs of relevant accounting experience under a CPA.
2) Can sign tax returns and audit reports.
3) Allowed to open a CPA firm.
4) Can use the title throughout.

It has to be noted that currently, most states are not going to issue a certificate upon clearing the exam only until unless the other part is fulfilled. 

Thus, a CPA certificate in most cases a kind of acknowledgement that indicate the candidate has passed the exam and met up the minimum requirement for it. 

A US CPA license on the otherhand, is issued upon completion of all the requirements from a board of accountancy.

5. Continuous Testing Window

Since July 1, 2020, testing windows has been replaced by continuous testing, allowing candidates to take the Exam year-round, without restriction, other than waiting to receive scores from prior attempts of the same section or when there is a major change to the Exam. This helps candidates to write the US CPA exam in India throughout the year from the following 8 Prometric centers :

1. Ahmedabad

2. Bangalore

3. Calcutta

4. Chennai

5. Hyderabad

6. Mumbai

7. New Delhi

8. Trivandrum

6. Steps to write US CPA exam in India

1. Get your eligibility verified by Uplift Pro before sending your transcripts to the US Official Evaluators.

2.Start preparing for the CPA exam. We will teach you 2 papers at a time after your working hours in live online mode and share with you the recordings of the classes as well.

3. We will also provide you an option to receive Gleim CPA Megabank (at 50% of the original cost) since Uplift Pro is an approved partner of Concorde Gleim. Gleim has helped more than 40,000 candidates worldwide pass their CPA exams in the last 20 years. Hence they are the No. 1 in this job. Trust on the Gleim Uplift support to pass the 4 papers of CPA as quickly as possible.

4. Once you are ready for the exam apply for an NTS from the US State from which you wish to be a CPA license holder. Uplift Pro will guide you in this administrative procedure.

5. After getting the NTS, contact your nearest Prometric to book your seat for the exam. Don’t forget to keep your passport ready to meet the identification procedure in the Prometric center.

7.US CPA exam in India -Score date

Decision to conduct US CPA exams in India, helps candidates to better plan for the exams. Typically AICPA publish the score release dates for the first half of a new year in December of the previous year and the second half by June of that year. The below table highlights the score release dates after sitting for a section.

Score Release: Exam sections taken 23, April – 31, December, 2021

If you had taken exam on/before:	Your target score release date is:
April 23	May 11
May 16	May 25
June 8	June 16
June 30	July 13
July 23	August 10
August 15	August 24
September 7	September 15
September 30	October 12
October 23	November 9
November 15	November 23
December 8	December 16
December 15	January 11

8. US CPA course fees structure

The US CPA exam fee is generally around USD 1,200 for all four sections. However, that may slightly vary based on number of sections you appear for the exam and also varies state by state. To better plan your US CPA course fee and best approach visit our page and talk to our experts at Uplift Pro.

9. US CPA job opportunities

US CPA course is in great demand in all sectors. CPAs are meant to maintain and examine financial accounts for the public and private sectors as well as for individual clients. CPAs are authorized to hold responsible positions in financial domains ranging from startup ventures to multinational entities. Few of the prominent companies that are hiring Certified Public Professionals include Genpact, Philips, Deloitte, Accenture, Cognizant, etc.

CPAs can act as a specialist in the areas:

a. Financial Analyst

b. Management Accountant

c. Risk and Compliance Analyst

d. Tax Accountant

e. Management Consultant

f. Information Technology Auditor

g. Finance Director

10. Companies hiring US CPA professionals

There is a wide assortment of opportunities for students, who qualify for the US CPA course examination. At present, United State organizations having Indian offices are also hiring the public certified accountants. As the number of CPAs is visibly less in Indian Market, the majority of the companies are sponsoring the CPAs. Also, there are a plethora of jobs in Financial Planning and Analysis, Taxation, Auditing, and different profiles in India. Few of the prominent companies that are hiring Certified Public Professionals include Genpact, Philips, Deloitte, Accenture, Cognizant, etc. If you have sufficient knowledge, you will become successful as a CPA professional.

The Certified Public Accountants are also found to work for BIG4. BIG4 happens to be one of the leading professional accounting organizations which provide taxation, assurance, auditing, accounting, risk assessment, and control, consulting, legal services, to a plethora of clients across the globe. Few popular clients of BIG4 include PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst, and Young. The services, provided by these firms are in higher demand and thus they have gained high popularity in hiring the CPAs in India. A worth mentioning reason why these companies are hiring CPAs is that the Certified Public Accounts can provide a plethora of such services without any hassles. In addition to this, they are known to be well versed in US GAAP and IFRS reporting.

The CPAs are also known to work for financial service organizations. They are capable of handling international and financial accounting, as well as corporate governance, easily. They are hired for different types of profiles in the financial services firm.

11. US CPA Salary

Completing US CPA course helps professionals to make more money for the same job than they would if they did not hold the CPA license.  It widely noted that US CPAs get more than 15-20% more than non-CPAs working in accounting-related jobs.

Research also confirmed that the pay gap is as high as 50% between a CPA and a non-CPA. The variation in salaries reflects differences in the size of a firm, the location, level of education, and professional credentials.

According to the 2020 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals, hiring managers in almost each and every enterprise are scrambling to discover professional accounting and finance professionals, in particular CPAs.

In the public accounting sector, for instance, the revenue midpoint (or median countrywide salary) for a senior manager/director for audit/assurance offerings is $134,000, and for a senior manager/director in tax services, it’s $136,750.

The Salary Guide provides beginning profits tiers for greater than a hundred ninety accounting and finance jobs, with the capacity to alter salaries to nearby markets. These tiers signify beginning compensation solely on account that a number of hard-to-measure elements such as seniority and job overall performance can have an effect on ongoing pay.

11.1 US CPA salary – Entry and Experienced professionals

An entry-level US Certified Public Accountant (US CPA) with much less than 1 yr journey can count on to earn an common complete compensation (includes tips, bonus, and additional time pay) of AU$58,244 based totally on 5 salaries.

An early profession US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 1-4 years of ride earns an common complete compensation of AU$61,607 based totally on fifty five salaries.

A mid-career US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 5-9 years of journey earns an common complete compensation of AU$71,954 based totally on fifty nine salaries.

A skilled US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 10-19 years of trip earns an common whole compensation of AU$90,945 based totally on 26 salaries. In their late profession (20 years and higher), personnel earn an common complete compensation of AU$101,500.

In Middle East countries a CPA at an entry-level with less than a year experience can expect to earn an average annual salary of AED 85,000 (including perks and other benefits).

From the smallest start-up to the biggest authorities agency, each and every commercial enterprise or corporation requires the competencies of a CPA. The US CPA credential is quite regarded. To a achievable company it skill excessive moral requirements as properly as measurable experience, education, and skills.

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 of a CPA increases at a higher rate than his non-certified peers. A CFO in India can earn more than INR 1 Cr, annually in India.

12. US CPA course career

Being an US CPA isn’t just a job, it’s actually a whole series of jobs and stepping stones that would conclude into an amazing career. The US CPA course opens up new opportunities including greater career path choices from which to choose. This can also open opportunities to get jobs abroad or new local opportunities and at a large or small accounting practice.

As the number of  CPA US in India is visibly less in the Indian Market, the majority of the companies are sponsoring the CPAs. Also, there are a plethora of jobs in Financial Planning and Analysis, Taxation, Auditing, and different profiles in India. Few of the prominent companies that are hiring Certified Public Professionals include Genpact, Philips, Deloitte, Accenture, Cognizant, etc. 

Earning your US CPA course is a lengthy process and one that will cost a lot of money to see through to the end. However, the benefits of being a CPA will more than pay for themselves. Most people who decide to pursue the CPA feel confident that the ROI is worth it. Perks of being a CPA include an increase in salary, a diverse selection of job opportunities, job security, and other benefits like the opportunity to travel.

13. Top preparation tips for US CPA exam in India

Understand the syllabus and keep updated

The key element of any course is understand the subject and syllabus. Student’s preparing for the US CPA exam in India, should understand on how the exam is and what all aspects are critical for the exam. For Exam content, look no further than the US CPA exam blueprints.

Create a detailed study plan

Developing a clear cut study plan is the primary aspect for any exam. Keeping the testing date in mind and the total amount of time, you have in hand, for study, prepare a detailed weekly and monthly plan with aim to complete the subjects well in advance of US CPA exam in India. You require choosing a testing date and then draft a plan. Thus, you will make the preparations according to the time, remaining left.

You need to take a look at the calendar and mark those days where you cannot study owing to unavoidable circumstances. Now, you need to calculate the number of hours, for which you can study every week. Next, you need to calculate the number of weeks, you require for reaching the total count of the study hours. It is essential to choose a testing date, close to the testing window so that there is sufficient time for rescheduling, as required.

Plan for the best time to prepare for CPA exam every day

In line with the above point it is advisable to craft a daily study routine. Keep daily targets and ensure that each day is used to maximize the amount of studying you get done every day and you get sufficient time at the end for quick revision.

Book for US CPA Exam well in advance

Once you are done with study plan, it is also important to find the exam centers and the dates available. It is recommended to book for exams as early as possible and the longer you procrastinate the harder it will become to pass.

Candidates appearing for exam is required to score of 75 or more on each section to pass, and each section must be passed within an 18-month window, which begins as soon as the candidate passes the first exam. US CPA exam scoring is treated with a high level of importance, due diligence, and attention to accuracy.

It is recommended to start with the section which you are most familiar with and move forward with there. Always dedicate more time for sections which has less pass rates like BEC in US CPA exam.

Mental Preparation for the exam

Along with studies, it is important for students to find relaxation time also. It is essential to make periodic break in your study plan for activities not related to studying. This helps students to become more productive and concentrate more for studying. Make sure that time allocated for studying or for replacing is utilized properly. Always focus only one goal at a time. If you are not 100% mentally prepared to pass the US CPA exam then you will procrastinate, lose focus and fail.

Seek support from experts

Getting guidance from a supportive group of people can put your mind at ease and help you get through rough study days. Like all other exams, US CPA course too has a specified exam pattern and the candidate needs to undergo lots of practice those questions to score high marks in the exams. Make sure that you get right mentors for preparing the exams. 

It is recommended to start with the section which you are most familiar with and move forward with there. Always dedicate more time for sections which has less pass rates like BEC exams.

Moreover the US CPA exam patterns are different from the patterns we follow in India or the Asian countries. The key decision is choosing the best US CPA course training institute. Getting guidance from an established training institute not only helps in understanding theoretical subjects, but also attending mock exams, job placement assistance and soft skill training.

14. Six Steps To Become US CPA Certified

About the top US CPA 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 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. Also, provides class recordings to students.

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 you may 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.