What is CPA? Find Out Course Details, Fees, Syllabus, and Eligibility

What is CPA? As an accounting student, you must have come across the term ‘CPA‘ several times. You also may have heard from your faculty members and peers about how becoming a CPA opens industry doors that have been closed for the unlicensed accountants. 

As exciting as that sounds, the perks of becoming a CPA are something to look forward to. From an increased earning potential to the opportunity to travel, CPAs truly get to have it all. If you’re already prepared to begin on this career pathway, here’s everything you need to know.

What is a CPA Course?

What is CPA? In the United States, CPA or the Certified Public Accountant, is the highest designation in accounting and finance that one can achieve, and it also promises global recognition for all the right reasons. 

Overview of CPA Certification

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is a globally recognised qualification in the field of accounting and finance. It is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is regarded as one of the highest standards in financial expertise. CPAs play a crucial role in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and business consulting, making them valuable assets in various industries worldwide.

Earning a CPA license opens doors to diverse career scopes for US CPA, from corporate finance and auditing to taxation and advisory roles. The designation also enhances credibility, increases earning potential, and provides international career mobility, making it a sought-after certification for accounting professionals.

Comprehensive Summary of the CPA Program

• CPA Full Form: CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant, a globally recognised accounting credential.
• CPA Duration: The course typically takes 12–18 months to complete all exams.
• CPA Eligibility: Graduation (Mandatory). Candidates need 150 credit hours and relevant experience; Indian grads often bridge the 120-credit gap.
• CPA Admission: Admission requires transcript evaluation, applying via AICPA/NASBA, and scheduling exams through Prometric.
• CPA Course Fees: The overall cost is around ₹2,15,000; including exam and application fees.
• CPA Total Exam Papers: CPA consists of 4 exam sections covering core and specialised areas.
• CPA Average Salary: CPAs earn about ₹6-9 LPA in India and $60k–85k annually in the USA
• CPA Class Schedule (Zell): Weekend and Weekday batches are available (EMIs start at 5,000 per month).

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Eligibility for the CPA Exam

The American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants, or AICPA, conducts the CPA exam. But as mentioned, the CPA licence is considered the highest professional degree in accounting or finance in the United States. This fact changes the eligibility for Indian students to pursue the CPA exam because a bachelor’s degree in India is equivalent to 90 credits, while that of the US is equivalent to 120 credits, which is the required number of credits for appearing in the CPA exam. 

Therefore, an Indian student needs to bridge the gap between the number of credits required to appear for the CPA exam. Each state board has different qualification requirements that an aspirant needs to meet in order to compete for the CPA exam in the US.  

Not sure how you can qualify for the CPA examination? Here are some insights that will help you understand exactly what you need. 

• If you are appearing for the CPA exam, you must have already completed 120 credits. However, you will need 150 credit hours to become certified and get your full US CPA licence, which leaves a 30-credit gap that you need to fill. 
• You have the option of getting two bachelor’s degrees or one bachelor’s degree and one master’s degree to fill the gap. If you already have a graduation degree and don’t feel the need to pursue another one, you can join as a non-degree-pursuing student at a community college or university and get the 30 credits done. 
• If you are a Chartered Accountant, you can get some credits from the state boards to appear for the CPA exam. 
• You can also appear for the CPA exam if you are an international CPA candidate from India and a first-division graduate in any three-year commerce degree from NAAC-A-rated universities. 
• Another crucial requirement for international students is hands-on experience in accounting or finance. 

Please Note: Unless the applicant gets a CPA license within three years of passing the CPA tests, the standard CPA exam credits for examinations completed in international regions (such as India or the Middle East) will terminate.

CPA Course Curriculum and Exam Structure

The CPA exam evaluates the understanding and abilities of the applicants in the fields of accounting, tax, audit, and business law, which are the main areas of the exam. The study program consists of four parts that test various areas of managerial finance and business laws.

CPA Exam Syllabus and Subjects

To be good at the CPA exam, one must cover the four areas designated for examination. Moreover, reviewing the fundamentals of accounting or finance would definitely refine your concepts. Different sections have distinct concepts; thus, make sure to prepare accordingly for each one in order to carry out your best during the exam. 

The four subjects listed below are those that a candidate should be familiar with before taking the main exam:

(90 questions from each of these subjects are asked.)

• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) 
• Auditing and Attestation (AUD) 

(72 questions from each of these subjects are asked.)

• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 
• Regulation (REG)

Exam Format and Duration

The CPA exam follows a computer-based format and consists of four sections:

• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – Covers financial statement preparation, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, and conceptual frameworks.

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD) – Focuses on ethics, risk assessment, audit procedures, and attestation services.

• Regulation (REG) – Includes business law, taxation, ethics, and professional responsibilities.

• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – Covers corporate governance, financial management, IT, and economic concepts.

Each section of the CPA exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), task-based simulations (TBS), and written communication tasks (for BEC). Candidates must complete all four sections within 18 months, with each exam lasting four hours.

CPA Course Fees and Registration

The CPA course involves various costs, including CPA registration, application, and examination fees. The total cost varies based on the jurisdiction and international testing locations.

CPA Course Fees Breakdown

Taking the CPA exam is viewed as costly; however, if you take into account the title and adventurous opportunities it offers, it becomes a nice option after all. The cost once included travel and lodging expenses, as the candidates had to go to the USA to take the CPA exam. However, starting from 2020, students can choose to take the CPA exam in India itself.

The CPA Exam is conducted in India at 8 Prometric test locations: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, New Delhi, and Trivandrum. Before you schedule for the Prometric, you need to pay additional fees for administration for each of the 4 exam sections, and this fee is non-refundable. 

The table below explains the approximate fees required at each step of giving the CPA exam:

Registration Process

• Check Eligibility – Ensure that you meet the educational and credit requirements for the CPA exam.

• Submit Transcripts – Send official transcripts to the state board for evaluation.

• Apply for the CPA Exam – Complete the application process and pay the necessary fees.

• Receive Authorisation to Test (ATT) – Once approved, receive your ATT, which is valid for 90 days.

• Pay for Exam Sections – Select the sections you want to appear for and make the necessary payments.

• Obtain Notice to Schedule (NTS) – The NTS allows you to schedule your exam within six months.

• Schedule and Appear for the Exam – Book your exam slot at an authorised Prometric test centre and attempt the exam. 

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CPA Admission Process

The whole application procedure for the CPA exam is a complicated and tiresome process; however, to ease that out, below is a step-by-step process that you can follow to enroll for the CPA exam successfully. 

Step 1: Check for your eligibility

The most significant and primary stage must be to check your eligibility for the CPA course. Once this is confirmed, you can proceed to the next stage of the admissions process.

Step 2: Send transcripts beforehand 

Many applicants choose to fill out the application form first and then send the transcripts to their state board of accountancy. This results in a wastage of time because the students have to wait to hear back from the state board of accountancy. Thus, to save time, send all of your transcripts to the state board first so they can review them and wait for your application. 

Step 3: Fill out the form

After you have sent your transcripts for verification, you are ready to fill out the actual form of the CPA course. It is not a lengthy form; you just need to fill in some personal details and answer educational questions. The application fee differs from state to state, but it is approximately 150 USD; thus, submit the fee and wait for your ATT (Authorisation To Test).

Step 4: Get your ATT

You receive your ATT only after your state has approved your application. The ATT makes you eligible to appear for one of the CPA exam sections in your state. Please note that this ATT is valid only for 90 days. Thus, you need to decide which section you want to appear for within this period, or you will have to pay the same application fee again to continue your application. 

Step 5: Pay for the exam sections

After you are done deciding which exam section you want to appear for in the next six months, you can pay the fees by logging into your NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) account. Once paid, you need to wait for your NTS (Notice to Schedule). Fees for the exam section differ from state to state, but the fee usually ranges from 180 to 250 USD for each section. 

Important Note: Many students make the mistake of choosing all the exam sections when they log in to the NASBA account. However, you need to understand that receiving your NTS may take a lot of time, and if you fail to schedule your exam in the next six months (the period for which the NTS is valid), your exam fees will be invalid again, and you will have to repay it. Thus, choose wisely and pay the fees only for the exam section you want to appear for in six months. 

Step 6: Get your NTS

The NTS is an important document that gives you the eligibility to appear for the CPA exam in your respective state. Within 4 weeks, you will receive your NTS via mail. Through the NTS, you can schedule your exam by logging into the Prometric website. 

For scheduling the exam through the Prometric website, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Log in to the Prometric test centre website.
• Fill in the exam section ID mentioned on your NTS and choose a test centre. 
• Choose the test date wisely because rescheduling will incur additional charges. 

That is all; you have scheduled your exam successfully!

Step 7: Appear for the exam

Carry your NTS and two valid forms of ID to the test centre. Try going to the exam centre a day before to get an idea of the traffic and location. While appearing for the exam, focus on solving the questions and don’t worry about the end result. If you perform well, the result will take care of itself. 

CPA Exam Exemptions and Special Considerations

Certain professionals may be eligible for exemptions from some CPA exam requirements based on their prior qualifications. Chartered Accountants (CAs), Cost and Management Accountants (CMAs), and Company Secretaries (CS) can receive exemptions for specific subjects under CPA.

How can one get an exemption in CPA?

• The final-year CA/CMA students who have scored more than 50 marks in their final examination can easily get paper-by-paper exemption for the CPA course. If you hold a CA/CMA accounting degree, you get complete exemption in CPA. 
• If you are an intermediate CA/CMA student, you can get an exemption in the first two subjects, AFAE and BRLC. 
• If you are a fully qualified CS, you can get an exemption from giving taxation laws and business law exams. 
• After passing specific tests on Indian Taxation Laws, Business Laws, and Indian GAAPs, ACCA Advanced diploma holders or affiliates can receive the CPA/CTPr award.

CPA Job Responsibilities

A Certified Public Accountant helps organisations, companies, and individuals arrange their taxes and financial statements. Their task is to supervise firm personnel and ensure that they follow proper accounting procedures and respond to financial reporting queries.

CPAs are responsible for:

• Analysing financial data, producing tax forms, and supervising audits
• Organising and updating accounting records (both digital and physical)
• Creating and analysing transaction reports
• Conducting strict audits regularly to check the correctness of financial documentation, expenditures, and investments

CPA Salary Expectation

The CPA Salary you get after completing the CPA course is worth every effort you put into the process. The average salary of a certified public accountant in India is 693,985 INR pa. However, your salary also depends upon your experience, job location, and the organisation or business you work for.

Career after CPA Course 

After completing the course and becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in India, you can choose from various job roles based on your interest. Some of them have been mentioned below. 

1. Financial Advisor

There are so many options for investments and taking a loan, and there are numerous bank policies in today’s world. With a plethora of them, it gets difficult to choose, and this is where people need professional advice. CPAs can become financial advisors and help organisations or individuals make wise and well-informed financial decisions. 

2. Corporate Accountant

Corporates hire CPAs to get help with audits, accounting, finances, etc. They are regarded as the organisation’s key business partners. They also operate as Internal Auditors, reviewing risk management concerns, financial data and operations, and control processes to contribute to its operations.

3. Finance Director

A CPA-qualified professional can apply for the position of Finance Director. A Finance Director is in charge of a company’s financial statements and long-term growth strategy. They are incredibly advantageous to a business since they aid in long-term financial prosperity. 

They are also responsible for overseeing all areas of its financial health. They have a group of employees who report on incoming and outgoing expenditures.

4. Academia

A CPA can easily get hired as accounting faculty in various institutes or schools. In addition to teaching, CPA educators perform research to extend the corpus of accounting knowledge and write books as well as papers on accounting theory.

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. 

To advance your portfolio and build professional skills, try Zell Education’s interactive courses that offer flexible training timings. Get in touch at +91 7208885600 or email us at [email protected]

Career Growth and Advancement

Becoming a CPA can significantly boost your career by opening up senior management and executive positions. CPAs are in high demand across various industries, including:

• Public Accounting Firms
• Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
• Financial Consulting Firms
• Government and Regulatory Bodies

Many CPAs advance into roles such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Finance Director, and Corporate Auditor, increasing their salary potential and career opportunities globally.

Additional Resources and Tips for CPA Aspirants

To maximise your chances of passing the CPA exam, consider the following tips:

• Plan Your Study Schedule – Allocate sufficient time for each exam section and stick to a consistent study routine.

• Use Online Study Resources – Enrol in CPA review courses and utilise mock tests, video lectures, and study CPA exam guides.

• Stay Updated with Exam Changes – Keep track of syllabus updates and changes introduced by AICPA.

• Take Practice Tests – Regularly attempt practice exams to improve time management and conceptual clarity.

• Join Study Groups – Engage with other CPA aspirants to share insights, clarify doubts, and stay motivated.

By following a structured approach and leveraging available resources, CPA aspirants can enhance their exam readiness and achieve certification successfully.

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FAQs on What is CPA

What is a CPA, and why does it matter?

A CPA is a licensed financial expert providing public accounting services like auditing and tax. It’s the US’s highest accounting credential.

What exactly does a Certified Public Accountant do?

CPAs audit financials, prepare complex taxes, and offer critical advisory and strategic financial guidance to businesses.

What is the scope and expected salary for a CPA?

The scope is vast, from Big 4 to MNC CFO roles. Entry-level salaries are highly competitive and increase significantly with experience.

What are the minimum eligibility requirements to apply?

You typically need 120-150 educational credits and a bachelor’s degree. Zell Education can help assess your specific eligibility.

How is the four-part CPA exam structured and timed?

The four-part CPA exam has 4-hour sections, including Multiple-Choice Questions and Task-Based Simulations, requiring a 75 passing score.

How long does it typically take to become a CPA?

It generally takes about 12-18 months to prepare and pass the four exams, plus one to two years of professional experience for licensing.

How difficult is the CPA exam to pass overall?

The CPA exam is notoriously challenging, but consistent preparation with structured courses, like those from Zell Education, boosts pass rates.

What are common career paths with a CPA license?

CPAs can become Auditors, Tax Directors, Financial Controllers, or even Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in any industry.

Where can I find detailed CPA course information?

You can find detailed CPA course information and support, including study materials and registration help, directly with Zell Education.

Current Role

Co-founder and Executive Director at Zell Education

Education

• Chartered Accountant (CA) from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (2010 – 2015)
• Company Secretary (CS) from The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (2011 – 2013)
• Bachelor in Financial Markets, Finance, General from H.R. College Of Commerce & Economics (2010 – 2013)

Location

Mumbai, India

Expertise

CA Certified, CS Certified