Inside the CPA Evaluation Process: From Application to Certification

Introduction:

Earning the US CPA designation not only means taking the Uniform CPA exam, but there are also more steps to it. Starting from the application process to earning the licensure for US CPA, the path is a little complicated and confusing. But we’re here to guide you and simplify the whole process in this article. Let’s explore the procedure to becoming a globally acclaimed US Certified Public Accountant (US CPA).

Table of Contents:

• Steps to take the CPA Exam
• Uniform CPA Exam Syllabus
• Benefits of Earning CPA Certification

Steps to take the CPA Exam:

1. Determine your CPA Eligibility:

• At a minimum, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university,
• 120 credit hours is required for taking the CPA exam and the benchmark for licensure is 150 credits. From your graduation, you’ll only get 90 credits in 3 years of your course, to bridge the gap of additional credit hours, you can either pursue a master’s degree or can take up a Bridge course from Simandhar which offers 60 credit hours,
• Check the state’s other requirements like citizenship or any additional course related knowledge in business or accounting,
• Pass all the 4 papers of Uniform CPA exam,
• For licensure, you need to complete 1–2 years of work experience in accounting, under the supervision of a CPA,
• You must pass the Ethics exam required by the state.

2. Take your Evaluation:

• You must submit all the transcripts in original documents to your chosen state board of accountancy before taking the CPA exam,
• Pay the required fee mentioned by the state board of accountancy,
• Your transcripts include community colleges, junior colleges, and universities that you have attended.
• The evaluation fee for CPA roughly falls within a range of INR 20,000–30,000.

3. Submit your CPA Exam Application and Fee:

• Once you’ve verified to the state board, you need to apply for the CPA exam and submit the form with necessary documentation and information.
• Depending on the state one chooses for the CPA licensure, the application fees approximately amount to INR 15,000.

4. Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT):

• After getting the approval of application from the state board, they will issue an Authorization to Test (ATT).
• Within 90 days, you’ll need to sign up for the US CPA exam
• For signing up, log in to your NASBA account and pay the exam section fees.
• According to the latest board report, the overall exam fees and international testing fees for all four sections comes roughly to 2 lakh rupees in India.

5. Verify your Notice to Schedule (NTS):

• NTS is the legal document that allows you to sit for the uniform CPA exam.
• It usually takes 3–6 weeks to receive your NTS after you apply for the CPA exam.
• Once you receive your NTS, verify all the listed information very carefully.
• While logging into the Prometric website for scheduling the CPA exam, you’ll need this document.

6. Schedule your CPA Exam:

• Schedule your exam sections on the Prometric testing centre website,
• Enter the exam section ID from your NTS and the first four letters of your last name,
• Select the date, exam location, and exam sections that you want to schedule.
• Prometric CPA Exam locations in India are Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Trivandrum.

7. Qualify the Uniform CPA Exam:

• Ensure to bring two ID proofs and your NTS, on the exam day,
• Make sure that your name on the ID must match your NTS, otherwise, you won’t be allowed to sit for the exam,
• Pass all the 4 sections of the Uniform CPA exam.

8. US CPA Licensure:

• You must have completed all the 4 sections of US CPA exam,
• Make sure you have the required 150 credit hours,
• All the residential and visa requirements are done,
• Take the Ethics exam required by your state. The exam fee is approximately INR 10,900–14,500.

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Benefits of Earning CPA Certification:

• US CPA is defined as the highest credential in the field of accounting.
• It’s a globally acclaimed designation, including India.
• Recruiters in public accounting firms like Big4 (KPMG, EY, PwC, and Deloitte), and other renowned companies from all over the globe, actively hire US CPAs as they’re always in demand.
• US CPAs can also work in the government sectors, nonprofit organizations, private sectors or run their own firm.
• The basic average salary of an US CPA is 10–12 LPA. With years of experience and expertise in accounting, they can gradually earn more.

Conclusion:

We can say that now you have a guidebook to earning a US CPA certification. So, as you’re now ready to take the first step in your CPA journey, we’re here to help you. Join Simandhar Education today and get access to our live classes, recorded classes, webinars and much more, by enrolling in our US CPA course. Seek guidance from the best team of faculty and we’ll assist you in your placements ahead. For more such information, call us at 7780273388.