If you are interested in working in some of the most reputed accounting firms across the world as a revered accounting professional, then you should consider pursuing US CPA.
The Certified Public Accountant (US CPA) course is a professional qualification that allows you to become an accountant in India as well as countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of North America. It comes under the jurisdiction of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Being able to work in some of the most reputable accounting and finance companies in India and across the world is one of the biggest advantages of US CPA.
US CPA Course Fees
The overall US CPA course fees vary largely based on the state in which you are registering and if you are giving the exam from the US or outside of the US.
Now that the US CPA exam can be taken from India, the cost of travelling and accommodation would be incurred in the past. However, some additional costs have been introduced to make it possible for students outside of the US to take the US CPA exam.
So the total cost of the US CPA course in India, including the registration fees, evaluation fees, exam fees and training costs, can be anywhere between INR 3.2 to INR 3.6 lakhs. This can be further broken down into the following parts:
| US CPA Course | Fees |
| Application | USD 170 to USD 225 (INR 13170 to 17431) |
| Evaluation | USD 225 (INR 19,365) |
| Examination | USD 598 per paper (INR 18,435) |
| Zell’s Training Fees | INR 1,20,000 |
How to become a US CPA: Step-by-step registration process
1. Evaluation and Registration for US CPA
Once the evaluation is complete, you can proceed with the registration process.
- The first step of the registration process is submitting all the necessary details about your accounting education and your accounting designation.
- Once you have submitted all the necessary details, you will then receive the Notice to Schedule (NTS)
- Upon receiving the NTS, you can now go to the Prometric website and schedule your exam on whichever date is convenient for you.
The entire process of registration can be quite confusing and stressful. However, after you enrol with Zell Education for the US CPA course, we can take care of this entire process and guide you through the states of the US that might be the right fit for you to do US CPA.
2. Check your Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for US CPA can vary as you move from one US state to another. However, the basic eligibility requirement for the US CPA exam and license is as follows.
- Exam – Graduation + 1 year of Post Graduation (120 credits)
- Licence – Graduation + Post Graduation (150 credits)
3. Complete your Evaluation
Before you can register yourself for the US CPA exam, you must first complete the evaluation process. During the evaluation, your local academic transcripts, i.e. mark sheets will be assessed and translated in such a way that a U.S. based evaluator can understand them. Some evaluation bodies that can help you with this process include the World Education Services (WES) and NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES).
4. Complete the Registration
After successfully completing your evaluation process, you are now free to start the process of registration. You will have to submit all your transcripts as well as the registration fees during the step. Once your selected state has approved your application, you will get your Authorization to Test (ATT).
5. Pay for the Exams
Upon getting your ATT, you can pay your examination fees for the paper that you want to attempt in that exam window. Your ATT is valid up to 90 days after receiving it, so you need to pay for your exam within those 90 days.
6. Get your NTS
After paying for your exam you need to wait for your Notice to Schedule (NTS). Upon receiving your NTS you can now schedule your exam on the date and time slot that is available. The US CPA Exams can be taken on-demand in the months of January, February, April, May, July August, October and November.
The US CPA qualification is recognised worldwide and can open doors to opportunities in Europe, Asia and North America. If you are an accounting professional looking to boost your career or just curious to learn about the course, we suggest you check out our Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course to learn more.
In which USA States can an Indian apply for US CPA?
You can only apply for a US CPA license in states that don’t need you to have a social security number. So, you can get a US CPA license from Montana, Washington, Pennsylvania, Guam and Alaska.
Which countries can a US CPA work in?
After US CPA you can work in any country that has an MRA with AICPA. These include Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Can you get exemptions in US CPA after CA?
No, you can not get any exemptions for US CPA even if you are a qualified CA.
