How to Pursue a Course in US CPA or CA in India?

A Chartered Accountant (CA) in India is considered to be one of the most respected job roles. Chartered Accountancy is a popular career profile for individuals interested in tax collection and bookkeeping. The CA course in India takes about 5 years to complete. On the same lines, in the United States of America (USA), this course is known as CPA or the Certified Public Accountant, currently being managed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), recognised as the largest professional body of accountants globally.

CPA in the USA is universally valued and recognised. Some Chartered Accountant establishments in India have correspondence concurrences with the USA, whereby if they finish certain tests, they can function as CPA in the USA. If you are also willing to pursue the US CPA or CA in India, read this article to get more details about it.

Also read: Top 50 Accounting Interview Questions and Answers

How to Become a Certified CA in India

Foundation stage

To be eligible for CA in India one needs to clear the twelfth exam in any stream (commerce, science, or humanities) with at least 33 per cent marks.

• Establishment Registration – The CA Foundation registration measure incorporates filling up all the details.

• Foundation Exams – Foundation exams of CA in India are held two times a year in the long stretch of May and November and for this test, one needs to enrol in the period of December and June separately.

• Paper's Pattern – There are four subjects identified with accounting and auditing principles. Each paper consists of 100 marks. Two papers are based on subjective-type questions and the other two papers are based on objective-type questions.

• Passing Marks – One is qualified for the intermediate level when one can clear the CA establishment tests with a 40 % mark in each subject or half total.

Intermediate stage

This is the subsequent stage. An individual who has qualified in CPT can enrol for the second level which is the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC). Likewise, one can straightforwardly enlist for IPCC after completing graduation/post-graduation in the field of commerce. The individual needs to score a minimum of 55 per cent marks or above. People who have done graduation/post-graduation in other different fields need to score at least 60 per cent marks. Tests are held in the long stretches of May and November.

Last Stage

The last stage comes when the individual has finished all the previous tests. In the wake of passing the last stage, the individual needs to apply for membership. In May and November, tests are held.

Job Opportunities for CA in India

Here are some of the job opportunities after the chartered accountant course in India.

• Own work/Consulting - After completion of the accountancy certification course one can either work for a company or open his or her firm. Various opportunities open up when one leads from the front.

• Stock Market - Strategic Financial Management is a subject that is taught in the duration of the accountant certificate course. A Chartered Accountant can invest resources in the stock market as he knows the subject.

• Teaching - After completion of CA in India one can likewise train Chartered Accountancy students. Accountancy certification courses are very difficult and an enormous number of students take classes in order to prepare for such competitive exams. One can earn a lot of money by just teaching aspirants who are preparing for CA.

How to Become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA in USA)

Certified Public Accountant or CPA is an accreditation offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), for showing competency in the field of Accountancy. The AICPA characterizes a CPA as a confided-in money-related counsellor who helps people, organisations, and different associations reach their monetary objectives. CPA or online Accountancy courses are required to be done for different fields like public bookkeeping, business, industry, government and the like. The profiles incorporate budgetary examination, monetary bookkeeping and announcing, and board bookkeeping.

Eligibility Criteria for CPA in USA

An individual can pursue a CPA certification in India if he or she has a graduation degree. To opt for a CPA license, an individual needs to complete 150 hours of the semester of the CPA course. CPA eligibility criteria must be considered, as they are distinctive for applicants belonging to other countries. The agreement form, global testing charges, and extra distinguishing proof required from international applicants are not the same as those of the United States applicants.

Examination for Certified Public Accountant in USA

The exam for the CPA course in India is an online test which comprises both objective and subjective questions. The required mark to pass the examination is 75 on the 0-99 scale. The applicant needs to finish the four-section test to obtain the Certified Public Accountant license.

How to Prepare for CPA in USA

• One must pick an accounting programme carefully - Before one selects a college accounting programme, one must find out information about the number of students from that school who have cleared the CPA exam as recommended by William Parrott, who teaches accounting at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa.

• Prep Method should be organised according to one’s learning style - While preparing a prep strategy, an individual must focus on his or her accounting education, on the off chance that an individual learns best by reading, he or she should purchase audit writings or DVDs. On the off chance, that an individual needs inspiration, the daily practice of face-to-face classes may help him out effectively. Internet-based courses are helpful too, where an individual can understand the course structure by watching videos.

• One must look for the best deal - One must get information about passing rates, however, be doubtful of the appropriate responses. Aspirants for CPA should ask how the programme has changed following the new four-section test design. He or she also should ask about the offers and opportunities organisations are willing to provide. Some of the Organizations offering CPA test prep are Becker, Bisk Education, Gleim Publications, and Kaplan.

• One must put in the study effort - An aspirant for CPA must put in extra effort and study for at least 450 to 500 hours which comes down to 30 hours per week for four months.

• The practice is the key to success - Laura McClure, CPA, a staff accountant working with Deloitte and Touche in Fort Worth and who scored high marks in the CPA test in 2004, utilized the CPA Excel online audit course. She additionally checked on her school accounting reading material every day during her study sessions. She mentions the only way one can clear the CPA test is through hard work and dedication.

• Reviving the Exam - Since the CPA test is automated, one must practice with modernised test papers so that one can easily clear the test. So, one must search for a supplier who can provide an abundance of sample test papers and mock test papers. It's not only about knowing and learning but one must be able to utilize the materials to show one’s capacity.

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JOB opportunities for CPA in USA

Here are some of the careers you can pursue after the CPA.

• Public bookkeeping - CPA in USA are required in the bookkeeping area and dealing with the accounts of general society. They are employed by private and government associations for the advisory role.

• Managing accountancy - A Certified Public Accountant must assess and refine bookkeeping techniques, and talk with the officers to assist them with settling on great business choices.

• Financial Advisor - As a budgetary examiner, a Certified Public Accountant needs to help in the development of the business by investigating money-related information, interpreting reports, reviewing specialized data, and helping the executives settle on educated choices.

• CPAs in the Government Sectors - CPAs in Government have obligations in the sectors of auditing, monetary revealing, and management bookkeeping. They can work with the different approaches and the policies made by the government. CPAs give the best guidance as to how the funds can be utilized in the most ideal way.

• CPAs in the Private Sectors - CPAs are employed to take care of Accounts wherein they handle the bookkeeping and have the responsibility of examining the funds. They deal with the compensation moves, property, and fiscal reports. They are considered the vital assets of an association. They additionally function as Internal Auditors which add to the organization's activities by analysing risk factors, budgetary information and tasks, and control measures.

• CPAs in Non-Profit Organisations - CPAs are additionally utilised in Non-Profit Organisations as they help NGOs to deal with their income, and comprehend the accepted procedures of overseeing monetary frameworks and duties. CPAs are employed by NGOs or they can work as freelancers wherein they can work with various associations as they do not remain associated with one organisation.

To conclude, one can say that both the Certified Public Accountant qualification and the Chartered Accountancy qualification open up many interesting opportunities for an individual in each part of business and finance, both in India and the US. CPAs and CAs are in constant demand both in India and the US being recognised for their specialised capability, proficient principles, and veracity.