Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accounting professional with expertise in accounting, tax, auditing, consulting, and finance. The state licenses a CPA to practice public accounting.
To become a CPA in the USA, aspirants must clear the CPA exam, which consists of four sections, each 4 hours long. The eligibility criteria to sit for the CPA exam in the USA is 120 credits.
Table of Contents:
- CPA USA Course Fees
- CPA USA Eligibility
- Benefits of Becoming a CPA in the USA
- Top CPA Firms in the USA
- CPA Job Opportunities in the USA
- CPA vs ACCA
- Frequently Asked Questions
CPA USA Course Fees
The cost of pursuing a CPA in the USA varies on several factors. A detailed breakdown of the CPA USA course fee is tabulated below:
| Particulars | Fees |
| One Time Application Fees | $130 |
| Examination Fees | $350 ($1,400 for four papers) |
| International Testing Fees | $390 (($1,560 for four papers) |
| Evaluation Fees | $225 |
| CPA Training Cost | $1,300 |
Note: International testing fees are only for students writing the exam outside the USA.
CPA USA Eligibility
CPA USA has a fixed number of credits required in your academics. To be eligible for a CPA license, a candidate should have 150 credits. The eligibility criteria for CPA in the USA are as follows:
- Candidates should have 120 academic credits to sit for the exam (90 credits are gained during your 3-year UG degree)
- B.Com + M.Com / B.Com + CA / B.Com + MBA or postgraduate degree, post-graduation counts for 150 credits.
Benefits of Becoming a CPA in the USA
Being a CPA in the USA offers various benefits. Here are some key benefits and advantages:
- Job Security: CPAs are always in high demand in numerous sectors. Accountants are always in need of financial management and accounting services. Every business, small or large, requires expert financial guidance, due to which CPAs would always have job security.
- Higher Earning Potential: CPAs earn more than an unlicensed accountant in the USA. CPAs typically start with a higher salary, which gets increased over time.
- Professional Prestige: The CPA exam is known for its difficulty and requires rigorous education and training. In the business world, CPAs are often looked at with a higher prestige.
- Global Opportunities: CPA is a globally recognized degree and is accepted worldwide. CPAs have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.
Top CPA Firms in the USA
Deloitte, PwC, E&Y, KPMG, and RSM are some of the top CPA firms in the USA. The top CPA firms in the USA are as follows:
| Deloitte | PwC |
| E&Y | KPMG |
| RSM | BDO |
| Grant Thornton | Forvis Mazars |
| CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) | Baker Tilly |
| CBIZ | Crowe Horwath |
| Moss Adams | Plante Moran |
CPA Job Opportunities in the USA
There are numerous CPA jobs in the USA, such as tax professionals, senior accountants, tax managers, internal auditors, and more. According to the Accounting Institute for Success, the average salary of a CPA in the USA is $122,229. The details are as follows:
| Jobs | Average Salary |
| Tax Professional | $70,000 |
| Senior Accountant | $80,000 |
| Tax Managers | $120,000 |
| Internal Auditor | $84,081 |
| Accounting Manager | $97,500 |
| Financial Controller | $110,000 |
CPA vs ACCA
Below is a brief guide to understanding the difference between CPA and ACCA.
| Particulars | CPA | ACCA |
| Country of Origin | USA | UK |
| Institution | AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants | Association of Chartered Certified Accountants |
| Duration | 9 – 18 Months | 2 – 3 Years |
| Exams | Consists of four sections:
| Consists of 13 exams divided into three sections:
|
| Eligibility | 120 Credits for the Exam and 150 Credits for CPA License | Passed 10 + 2 examinations with an average of 65% in Mathematics / Accounts and English |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top CPA colleges in the USA?
University of Pennsylvania, Rice University, University of Texas–Austin, Brigham Young University, Wake Forest University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, are some of the top CPA colleges in the USA.
What is the CPA USA eligibility for Indian CA?
Indian CAs must have 120 credits to sit for the exam and 150 credits to get a CPA license.
What is the duration of the CPA course in the USA?
CPA can be completed between 9 – 18 months in the USA.
Is work experience required for a CPA in the USA?
You do not require work experience before appearing in the CPA exam in the USA. However, 2000 hours of work experience is required to get a CPA license.
How many times can I take CPA in the USA?
There is no limit on the number of retakes for the CPA exam in the USA.
