Is US CPA Equivalent To An Indian CA
US Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Accountancy are both extremely prestigious accounting courses that are also currently trending in the accounting world. While US CPA is an accounting license provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) on successful completion of four papers, the Chartered Accountancy degree on the other hand is offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The best part about pursuing these courses is that one gives you auditing and signing authority in India while the other gives you the same authority in the US.
Before we answer the question of equivalency, here are some of the basic differentiating factors that will help us lead us to the conclusion in a smoother way. Here’s a list of the top 5 differentiators between US CPA and Indian CA.
|
Differentiators |
US CPA |
CA |
| Duration | 1 to 1.5 years | 5 years |
| Papers | 4 papers | 3 groups (36 papers) |
| Exemptions | No exemptions | No exemptions |
| Eligibility | You will require 120 credits to appear for the CPA examination and 150 credits to achieve the certification and title. | Need to pass 10th and 12th examination to appear for the entry-level CA foundation course with a 50% aggregate score in 12th |
We hope that these differentiators between US CPA and CA India have given you a fair understanding of what lies ahead of you if you happen to choose between these two courses. Now let’s talk about the benefits that you can achieve by pursuing these courses.
CA Vs US CPA Comparison
Benefits of pursuing US CPA
- Makes you a qualified CA of the US.
- On successful completion of this course from India, you will be able to practice Chartered Accountancy in Montana, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Guam, and Alaska.
- However, once you are working in the US, you can attain the US CPA license to other cities as well.
- As you pursue the Certified Public Accounting course, you will be thoroughly equipped with the GAAP also known as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. You will also get a chance to learn more about the taxation principles.
- With a US CPA license, you can conduct audits at a federal and state level.
- Only CPAs have the authority to provide compilation services in the US.
- Several companies in the US often recommend their accountants to take up the US CPA course in order to gain the skill set that these accountants possess.
- The average salary of a US CPA professional is as follows:
US CPA salaries in the US based on job profile
To know more about the salaries in US CPA salaries in India and USA, also read CPA Salary in India & USA: Average to Highest (2022).
US CPA Jobs
Benefits of pursuing Chartered Accountancy
- Chartered Accountancy is the most prestigious profession in India that’s well known for the opportunities it has to offer in every industry.
- After completing Chartered Accountancy, you can either choose to work for innovative startups, or MNCs or even start your own practice.
- Throughout your CA learning journey you’d be equipped with analytical skills and problem-solving methodologies.
- Chartered Accountants are well acquainted with IFRS, which are globally recognised accounting standards.
- After successfully completing the CA course, you can choose to work in different profiles such as Internal Auditor, Tax Auditor, Forensic Accountant, Treasury, Statutory Audit and many other profiles.
- With a CA degree you will be authorised to conduct audits in any city of India. Additionally, you can also choose to work in Dubai, Australia, the U.K and Singapore.
- The average salary of a CA in India is as follows:
The Average CA salary in India
Final Thoughts
If you’re still unsure about the answer to the earlier question ‘Is US CPA In The USA Equivalent To An Indian CA’, the answer is surely ‘yes’. However, the choice between the two courses completely depends upon your learning preferences and where you wish to settle post completion of your course. If you want to work and grow in India then Indian CA is the correct choice for you. However, if you want to work abroad then you should be going for US CPA.
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 blog on Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course to learn more.
FAQ
Can I pursue US CPA after CA?
You can surely pursue US CPA after CA if your main goal is to work in the US, however, it will be a long process which can easily be made simpler by pursuing US CPA post 12th.
Do I need a graduation degree after completing my CA?
It isn’t mandatory to hold a graduation degree for CA. Even if you pursue CA after 12th, you could qualify as a CA professional on the completion of your course.
Is US CPA only accepted in the US?
The CPA course is offered in 10 different countries, however every country has its own CPA course. With US CPA, you’d receive signing authority only in the US.
