🎓 US CPA – Certified Public Accountant

Build Global Expertise in Accounting, Auditing, US Taxation and Financial Management

The US Certified Public Accountant (US CPA) is a globally recognised professional accounting qualification awarded through the licensing framework of individual US state boards of accountancy.

The Uniform CPA Examination, developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), evaluates candidates’ expertise in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, business regulations, information systems and advanced financial reporting.

The qualification is particularly relevant to students, graduates and working professionals interested in financial accounting, US taxation, auditing, corporate finance, risk management, consulting and international accounting.

📚 Course Structure & Syllabus

Under the CPA Evolution examination structure, candidates must pass four examination sections, comprising three compulsory Core sections and one selected Discipline section.

📘 Part A – Core Examination Sections (3 Compulsory Papers)

1. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

FAR focuses on financial accounting principles, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) and financial statement preparation.

Key Topics:

• Financial reporting frameworks and US GAAP
• Balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements
• Accounting for assets, liabilities and equity
• Revenue recognition and leases
• Inventory and fixed asset accounting
• Financial instruments and investments
• Not-for-profit accounting
• Governmental financial reporting

2. Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

AUD examines auditing standards, internal controls, professional ethics and assurance engagements.

Key Topics:

• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)
• Professional ethics and auditor independence
• Audit planning and risk assessment
• Internal control evaluation
• Audit evidence and sampling
• Substantive audit procedures
• Audit reports and opinions
• Attestation and assurance engagements

3. Taxation and Regulation (REG)

REG focuses on US federal taxation, business laws and professional responsibilities.

Key Topics:

• Federal taxation of individuals
• Corporate and partnership taxation
• Taxable income and deductions
• Property transactions
• Depreciation and capital gains
• US business law
• Tax compliance and reporting
• Professional ethics and federal tax procedures

📊 Part B – Discipline Examination Sections (Choose Any One)

Candidates must select one of the following three specialised sections.

4A. Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)

BAR focuses on advanced financial reporting, managerial accounting and business analysis.

Key Topics:

• Financial statement analysis
• Cost and managerial accounting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Capital budgeting and investment analysis
• Business combinations and consolidation
• Advanced US GAAP applications
• Technical accounting and reporting
• Governmental accounting

4B. Information Systems and Controls (ISC)

ISC focuses on information technology, cybersecurity, data management and IT assurance.

Key Topics:

• Information systems and IT infrastructure
• IT governance and risk management
• Cybersecurity and information security
• Data management and privacy
• Internal controls over information systems
• Business continuity and disaster recovery
• SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 reporting
• IT auditing and assurance

4C. Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

TCP focuses on advanced US taxation, tax planning and complex business transactions.

Key Topics:

• Advanced individual taxation
• Corporate and partnership tax compliance
• Tax planning for individuals and businesses
• Retirement and personal financial planning
• Estate and gift tax considerations
• Business entity selection and restructuring
• Property transactions and dispositions
• Tax-efficient financial decision-making

All three Discipline options lead towards the same US CPA licence, subject to fulfilment of the applicable licensing requirements.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

US CPA examination eligibility is determined by individual US state boards of accountancy.

Many jurisdictions permit candidates to appear for the CPA examination with 120 US semester credits, along with specified accounting and business coursework.

How Can Students Obtain 120 Credits?

• Bachelor’s Degree: B.Com, BBA or other recognised undergraduate qualifications may contribute eligible credits.
• Postgraduate Degree: M.Com, MBA or other recognised postgraduate qualifications may provide additional credits.
• Additional Courses: Eligible university-level accounting, finance and business courses can help fulfil credit requirements.
• Professional Qualifications: CA, ACCA or CMA qualifications may be considered, depending on the jurisdiction and credential evaluation.

Important: A three-year Indian degree does not automatically qualify for 120 US credits. Academic qualifications are evaluated by an accepted credential evaluation agency, such as NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES), where applicable.

Some jurisdictions also offer a 120-credit plus two-year professional experience pathway for CPA licensure, while others retain the traditional 150-credit pathway or recognise additional alternatives.

📝 Examination Pattern

The US CPA Examination is computer-based and administered through authorised Prometric testing centres.

Important Examination Guidelines:

• Every examination section includes Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Task-Based Simulations (TBS).
• Core sections are offered through continuous testing, subject to scheduling availability.
• Discipline sections are conducted during designated testing windows.
• Examination sections may generally be attempted in any order.
• Candidates can take the CPA examination at approved international testing locations, including India, subject to eligibility and international testing requirements.

✅ Passing Criteria

To successfully complete the US CPA Examination, candidates must:

• Obtain a minimum scaled score of 75 out of 99 in each of the four required sections.
• Pass all three compulsory Core sections.
• Pass one selected Discipline section.
• Complete all four sections within the applicable examination credit-validity period prescribed by the selected jurisdiction.

Important Information:

• A scaled score of 75 does not represent 75% correct answers.
• Each section is assessed independently.
• There is no aggregate passing requirement across all four papers.
• Examination credit validity varies by jurisdiction.
• Passing all four examinations does not automatically grant a CPA licence.

🌍 US CPA Licensing Requirements

After passing the four examination sections, candidates must fulfil the additional licensing requirements prescribed by their chosen US jurisdiction.

These may include:

• Required academic qualifications and educational credits
• Relevant professional accounting experience
• Ethics examination or professional ethics requirements, where applicable
• State board application and documentation requirements

Licensing rules, including education and experience pathways, differ across jurisdictions.

🎯 Learning Objectives

The US CPA programme develops the ability to:

• Understand and apply US GAAP.
• Prepare and analyse financial statements.
• Apply auditing standards and evaluate internal controls.
• Understand US federal taxation and business regulations.
• Analyse corporate financial performance.
• Apply accounting principles to complex business transactions.
• Evaluate technology risks and information systems controls.
• Understand advanced taxation and financial planning.
• Develop professional judgement, ethical awareness and analytical skills.

🚀 Develop Global Accounting and Financial Expertise

The US CPA qualification provides comprehensive knowledge across financial reporting, auditing, taxation, business regulation and specialised accounting disciplines.

Its integrated examination structure develops technical accounting expertise, analytical reasoning and professional decision-making abilities.

The qualification is relevant to professionals pursuing opportunities in multinational corporations, accounting firms, financial institutions, global capability centres, consulting organisations and international financial services.

The US CPA programme builds the accounting knowledge, technical expertise and professional judgement required for a career in global accounting and financial management.

💻 Technical Requirements – Actuators Educational Institute (AEI)

To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted learning experience, students enrolling in courses offered by Actuators Educational Institute (AEI) are required to use devices that meet the minimum technical specifications supported by the AEI Learning Application.

📱 Minimum Device & Operating System Requirements

📌 Important Information for Students

• Students must ensure that their devices meet the above minimum technical requirements before enrolling in a course.
• A stable internet connection is recommended for accessing online lectures, study materials and other digital learning resources.
• Devices running older or unsupported operating systems may experience compatibility issues or may not support the application.

Note: These are the official minimum technical requirements for accessing courses through the Actuators Educational Institute (AEI) Learning Application. Students are advised to verify device compatibility before completing their course enrolment.