How to be Eligible for US CPA in India

The US CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is a professional designation that is highly respected in the accounting and finance industry. It is a globally recognized certification that indicates the holder has met rigorous education, experience, and examination requirements.

The CPA credential is awarded by each of the 50 states in the US and the District of Columbia. The certification process is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Eligibility Criteria for US CPA

To be eligible for the US CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Education: Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The degree should include a minimum of 120 credit scores in any accounting or business course. In order to be eligible for CPA Licence, however, a candidate requires a minimum of 150 credit scores.
2. State-Specific Requirements: Each state has its own specific requirements for CPA licensure, which can include additional education, residency, or experience requirements. Candidates should check with their state board of accountancy to determine the specific requirements.
3. Ethics Exam: Candidates must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam or a state-specific ethics exam.
4. Work Experience: Most states require candidates to have a minimum of 1–2 years of supervised accounting experience.
5. CPA Exam: Candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam with a minimum score of 75 on each section.

US CPA Eligibility in India

The eligibility criteria for US CPA are the same for India. However, in India most of the Bachelor’s Degree courses constitute of 3 years, resulting in 90 credit hours only. Each year of your college education will provide 30 credit hours. If you have done a 4-year degree, then you need not worry.

However, if you have done your B.Com or any 3-year degree, then you need to earn an additional 30 credit hours

Not all states will have the ethics exam. The states that do, each one will have its own ethics exam. Plus, each state will have its own requirement in terms of work experience as well. So, before choosing a State Board, have a clear understanding of the state’s requirements.

CPA has global recognition and you can easily get a job in Big 4s and other top accounting firms. It may not necessarily help you move aboard but will help you get a job in the US once you are there.