CPA USA EXAM PATTERN
CPA USA EXAM PATTERN
The CPA USA is a highly recognised title earned by passing the Uniform CPA Examination administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or AICPA. A Chartered Accountant or CA designation is equivalent to a CPA in India. The CPA certification is one of the highest levels of accounting expertise and is a highly sought-after and adaptable certificate for accountants.
An individual must have the necessary education and experience, ideally in accounting courses, to become a CPA-certified professional. Every state in the United States has its own CPA exam prerequisites; Indians can take the exam in any state they wish.
However, some standard eligibility criteria are as follows:
Graduation or an equivalent bachelor's degree is required.
2 years of experience working for any CPA.
College credit hours reaching 150
The CPA USA course concludes with the candidate taking the CPA USA exam, which is regarded as one of the most difficult exams in the world. With the test being a mandatory component and a critical stage in a prospective CPA's journey to professional practice,
here are the crucial points to consider before taking the CPA exam:
The CPA USA exam is a computer-based exam that is conducted four times a year (in March, June, September and December). Registration for the CPA course, on the other hand, is open all year.
To become a licenced CPA, you must first pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which consists of four divisions.
Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), and Regulation (REG) are the sections.
Candidates must complete all four sections within 18 months, with a minimum score of 75 on each.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Task-Based Simulations (TBS), and Written Communication Tasks will be included in the exam.
The points below summarise all of the essential subjects to be addressed while studying for each of the four portions of the CPA exam.
1. Attestation and auditing (AUD).
Professional Obligations, Ethics, and Basic Principles
Risk assessment and response development
Carrying out further procedures and gathering evidence
Drawing Inferences and Reporting.
2. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Corporate Management.
Economic Theories and Analysis
Financial administration.
Information and communication technology.
Management of Operations.
3. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Conceptual Framework, Standard Establishment, and Financial Reporting
Navigate to Financial Statement Accounts.
Click on Transactions.
Local and state governments
4. Regulation (REG)
Professional Liabilities, Ethics, and Tax Procedures
Commercial Law.
Federal Taxation of Real Estate Transactions
Taxation of individuals.
Federal Entity Taxation.
The Pattern of the CPA USA Exam
The CPA USA test has three sub-sections for sub-divisional subjects or areas of study. These sub-sections are known as testlets. The testlets are further divided into three types: multiple-choice questions (MCQ), task-based simulations, and writing communication. In recent years, task-based simulations have received more attention. Except for BEC, MCQs and simulations are weighted equally.
The AICPA has additionally assigned a weighted grade to each topic/section in these tests:
| NO |
Section |
Understanding |
Application |
| 1 |
AUD |
25-40% |
20-40% |
| 3 |
FAR |
10-20% | 50-60% |
| 4 |
REG |
25-35% | 35-45% |
1. Application Fee for the CPA USA Exam
The application fee varies depending on the state (approx. Rs. 3,600 to Rs. 14,500).
2. Examinee Fee.
Each segment costs approximately $193.45. (approx. Rs. 14,100).
3. Fee for Registration
Depending on the state, one can apply for one part at a time or apply for all sections at once and pay a registration fee to reduce overall costs. The Notice to Schedule (NTS) is valid for 6 months, therefore if you sign up for all four sections at once, you must schedule and attend for all four sections within the following 6 months, otherwise, the NTS will expire.
The following are the CPA exam registration fees:
When you take one portion at a time, the cost is $63 (approx. Rs. 4,600).
If you take two parts at once it costs around $81 (approx. Rs. 5,900).
When you attempt three sections at once, the price is $99 (approx. Rs. 7,200).
4. Ethics charges.
Some states require passing an ethical exam after passing the standard CPA exam in order to obtain a licence. The ethics exam costs between $150 and $200. (approx. Rs. 10,900 to Rs. 14,500).
5. Fees for CPA USA Licensing.
Candidates who pass the uniform CPA and ethics exam are eligible to receive a licence, which costs between $50 and $500 per year depending on the state. Yes, licensing fees must be paid every year in perpetuity in order to keep a CPA licence and practice CPA.
6. CPE for the CPA Exam
Many states require 40 hours of continuing education per year for public accountants to stay relevant to industry practices and developments. As a result, the approximate cost for this CPE might be as little as $800 per year and as high as $5000.
Pilot CPA Exam in India
In India, the CPA USA exam is being piloted at Prometric test facilities in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Trivandrum.
A career in finance and accounting as a CPA is tremendously lucrative. Whereas local certification may confine you to just working in one nation, obtaining a CPA degree qualifies you as a global citizen and increases your chances of acquiring job prospects from worldwide organisations.
With the emergence of more and more firms and start-ups, the demand for a CPA USA is year-round. Your expertise is valued more than that of a typical accountant, leading to greater prospects, payouts, and credibility. To boost your confidence, consider analysing the pros and cons before attempting the CPA exam.