How to become a CPA in India | Eligibility, Roles and Responsibilities

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you must possess the highest level of expertise in accounting. The test is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the world’s largest accounting organization. If you’re considering a job in accounting and want to stand out, taking a CPA course or CPA course online is your best bet. CPAs are considered the top accountants in the world and work for a variety of companies.

Who is a CPA

In many English-speaking nations, qualified accountants are known as Certified Public Accountants. In other English-speaking nations, it is typically similar to the title of chartered accountant. The CPA is a license that allows holders to offer public accounting services in the United States.

What does a CPA do

Due to the fact that it is a professional qualification rather than a career path or job title, CPA certification can give accounting professionals more flexibility in their professions. CPAs typically only have a single state licence, but because of reciprocity legislation, they can also get licences in other states.

CPA course are in high demand across all businesses for their expertise in their fields, dependability, and certifications. The following five industries are frequently where CPAs work, according to the AICPA:

• Business and Industry; 
• Public Accounting; 
• Education; 
• Nonprofit; 
• and Government.

However, a CPA designation can open doors in virtually every industry.

The AICPA lists the following four prominent specializations as being open to those who get the CPA designation: 

• Tax Preparation and Consulting; 
• Financial Planning; 
• Auditing and Review; and 
• Consulting Services.

Becoming a CPA requires strategy, time, and work. Being a CPA requires a dedication to ongoing education, even after receiving the qualification. A CPA may be required to do forty hours of continuing education each year, as determined by the state board.

As a result of the difficulties associated with passing the CPA Exam and the requirement for continuing education, many in the finance and accounting industry view the CPA license as one of the most prestigious qualifications.

How to become a CPA

There are different paths towards becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) depending on where you live. The 4 E’s can, however, be applied at a basic level:

Education

All states demand some level of accounting education like CPA course online before granting a CPA licence. This typically requires 150 credit hours of college-level accounting training in most states. Some accounting CPA course online candidates meet this requirement while still in their undergraduate studies. The educational need can be satisfied without a master’s degree, but some of the 150-hour programmes do result in a graduate degree.

Experience

In CPA candidates may have to meet specific experience requirements in some states, such as working under a CPA’s supervision for one year.

Exam

The most challenging requirement is for some people to pass the CPA course online Exam. It consists of one level and four subjects.

Some states may demand the completion of ethics examinations or courses to obtain a CPA licence.

Qualifications for the CPA

• To enrol in the CPA certification programme, an applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• A candidate must complete 150 semester hours of CPA coursework to obtain a CPA licence.
• Many jurisdictions require applicants to have between one and two years of experience working for a CPA.
• It should be noted that US citizens and applicants must meet different CPA qualifying requirements than people from other countries. International candidates differ from US candidates regarding the consent agreement, cost of the international testing, and identification requirements.
• Indians must meet specific requirements to take the CPA exam.

To take the Certified Public Accountant Examination, candidates must meet one of the following requirements.

• MBAs
• Member of the Company Secretaries in India.
• Member of the Cost and Works Accountants Institute in India.
• Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
• Master of Commerce.
•  CPA course online

Indian CAs with a B.Com degree is recognized in several American states. But the precise standard will vary from state to state.

Exams for CPAs

The exam is a 16-hour, four-part evaluation that rates the skills and knowledge needed to become a CPA. The computer-based test is given to all candidates equally and is provided at accredited testing facilities worldwide. English is used to administer the test. The questions cover MCQs, simulations, and writing ability. Passing scores are 75 on a scale of 0-99.

Exam topics for the CPA

• Questions from the following four issues are included in the CPA certification exam.
• Business Environment and Concepts for Auditing and Attestation (AUD) (BEC)
• Regulation on Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) (REG)

CPA exam pattern

The following four sections make up the CPA exam, which must be finished in 14 hours.

For each candidate, the CPA exam is graded independently. The candidate is rated based on their knowledge levels, abilities, and analytical approach using this scoring pattern.

Getting ready for the CPA

• Plan your examination.
• Choose a date for the exam.
• Utilizing the information from NTS, make an exam appointment with Prometric.
• Any Prometric test centre that offers the exam is where you can take it.
• International locations incur an additional fee.

Prepare for your exam.

Review the Exam Blueprints and use all available exam tools and study aids to prepare for the test. The Blueprints provide the following details for each exam section:

• A score weighting system is in place, and content is grouped by area, group, and topic.
• Examples of task statements show what you might have to do during the test.
• According to skill levels, tasks are graded.
• Sources that back the example task statements.
• You need to complete various item types (multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations and written communication tasks).
• The final score’s weighting of each item type.
• Learn more about the exam’s structure and operation by practising with the sample examinations and accessing the instructional topics by clicking the “Help” button in each sample test.
• Review each exam section’s examination structure.
• Utilize your NTS to gain free access for six months to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s Professional Literature package (NASBA).

Take the exam

• Complete all four parts of the test in under a year (score a minimum of 75 on each section)
• The 18-month “clock” generally starts ticking after you pass the first Exam component, but check with your particular Board of Accountancy for more details.
• Each exam window allows you to take as many sections as you like, but you are not permitted to take the same component more than once.
• Clear the morality test (only if required by your Board of Accountancy)
• Get  CPA course online. 

Apply for your license

• Typically, you’ll require 150 credits of education with a concentration in accounting. This comprises 24 semester hours of business administration and 30 semester hours of accounting.
• At the graduate or upper-division level, students must study a minimum of 15 semester hours in accounting.
• A certified public accountant (CPA) attests to a minimum of one year of experience or around 2,000 hours.
• Experience in accounting, attest, auditing or tax must be present with  CPA course online.
• Visit the NASBA website or get in touch with your Board of Accountancy for more on the requirements for your particular licence.

Benefits of pursuing CPA as a career

With countless opportunities to showcase your skills, the CPA exam is regarded as the capstone of accounting study. The following are the five advantages of becoming a CPA, according to the NASBA:

Repute and regard

Once you have completed the challenging path to pass the CPA Exam and satisfy all other requirements, you will join a limited group of accountants.

Growth in your career

CPAs have the chance to enhance their careers both within and outside of the accounting and CPA industries. Candidates who pass the CPA exam can choose to work in commercial banks, hedge funds, accounting and auditing firms, merger and acquisition firms, research firms, mutual funds, private equity firms, and other industries.

Career security

The number of job openings for newly certified CPAs is growing due to the strong demand for CPAs and the exodus of retiring CPAs from the workforce. Depending on their unique skills, CPA accounting salaries may be more significant on average than those of other accounting professionals.

Gratifying work

After earning the CPA designation with  CPA course online, you’re more likely to be qualified to perform highly specialized tasks that are more significant or interesting.

Benefits and Money

Being a CPA entails a variety of occupations and stepping stones that together make up a fantastic career. The following are the most recent statistics on CPA employment and earnings:

You will make 10 to 15 per cent more money if you have a CPA licence.

According to the Department of Labor and Statistics, the need for accountants and auditors is anticipated to grow faster than average from now until 2024.

Recruiters and CPA jobs

Financial management is a part of a CPA’s responsibilities. It encompasses evaluating and analyzing the client’s financial condition, reviewing financial records, producing capital, tax, and audit reports, offering bookkeeping advice, and advising the customer of changes to legal requirements. A CPA’s primary duties include the following:

• Create and assess financial records and statements.
• Keep track of all financial activities, including assets, obligations, and taxes.
• Make financial reports for your clients.
• Ensure adherence to legal requirements.
• Experts with a CPA licence are employed by people, businesses, the government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

Job Responsibilities

• Keep both digital and analogue financial records organized.
• Evaluate each business transaction, then write thorough reports based on your findings.
• Research and preparation for income taxes should be coordinated with the staff.
• Conduct frequent audits to ensure the correctness of financial records, expenses, and savings.
• Place all federal, state, and local income tax records in order and file them.
• Participate in the budgeting process.
• Inform management of the company’s financial situation regularly and offer suggestions for ways to improve performance.
• Create and implement efficient accounting procedures.
• Make sure you keep abreast of industry and regulatory changes.
• Answer questions on accounting and taxes.

Salary

• US CPAs are more in demand in India across several industries. Since most companies offer sizable wages, incentives, and raises, they can command substantial salaries due to their competence in accounting and finance. 
• An entry-level CPA in India makes about Rs 6 lakh annually. According to Indeed, the average US CPA salary in India is Rs 9.25 LPA. 
• In the Big 4 multinational Corporations, a US CPA’s salary in India ranges from Rs 12.5 LPA to Rs 20.4 LPA. T
• His package gets better as the post increases in rank, depending on the candidate’s abilities and performance. 
• In conclusion, a US CPA continually improves their expertise, which leads to greater financial rewards.

Where to learn

Henry Harvin Education offers the most significant CPA Course Online. The CPA Course is typically intended for candidates who have passed their Uniform  CPA course online and have the required education and experience. The CPA programme at Henry Harvin assists in attracting the most qualified, consistent, and professional people to the accounting field.

According to Henry Harvin Education, all students who sign up for a particular programme receive the most benefit. It has a few expert trainers who create competency on a professional level to hone and improve the knowledge.

Duration

• 150 hours of interactive  CPA course online instruction.
• Over the following year, there will be 12 Bootcamp sessions.
• Students are not required to make any further payments for an unlimited number of batches for a year following the registration date.
• Use live projects and case studies to better understand the CPA Course.

Henry Harvin’s coaches

• The instructors at Henry Harvin  CPA course online have more than 12 years of combined CPA experience and hold a global certification.
• These instructors have instructed more than 900 students worldwide and are experts in their fields. They also have experience in a wide range of teaching techniques.
• The participants can attend as many sessions as they want linked to different trainers.

Conclusion

According to the benefits and recognition a CPA can get, it’s one of the most prominent fields one can choose from. Even though it’s pretty challenging, it’s worth it to have a CPA certification.

Recommended Reads:

Top 10 CPA Courses Online

10 Best CPA Courses in India

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