Professional Ruminations

This blog records my studentship of CPA on the go! and as a guide to the aspiring CPAs in the ladder to the CPA in the United States of America. Here I try to list the basic difference between the two courses:

1. CA, we got 14 papers to pass (as on 2007) inter + final; CPA - 4 papers to pass (BEC,FAR,AUD & REG)
2. CA, we got 2 exam cycles in a year (May & Nov); CPA we got 4 cycles - every quarter 2 months exam.
3. CA, we are governed by the ICAI's schedule of exam; CPA we governed by our own - means that we have to schedule our exam - which date we want to take exam.
4. CA, we got to write all the exams (group wise) in single time; CPA we can take up each paper at a time.
5. CA, there is no limit of time frame to pass (as on 2007); CPA, you got to pass all the 4 papers in 18months time.
6. CA, we can take the exams in India, Dubai & Nepal; CPA can be taken only in 51 states in the USA .
7. CA, only one centralized institute for the whole India, Each 51 states have different CPA institute. (CPA board).
8. CA, all written exam; CPA computerized based exam - more than 75% comprises of Multiple Choice Questions.
9. CA, passing per centage 50%; CPA, passing per centage 75% and,
10. CA, institute provides materials; CPA, nothing provided by the Board - procure from the market.

Preferrable state of registration for us (the Indian CAs): Colorado, USA
Cost of Registration (approx.) : 4 papers X USD200 = USD800 + Registration USD 135 (May08)
Cost of Materials (approx.) New - latest editions: USD 3000(Becker); USD 200 (Wiley) ; USD 300 (Gleim). Try buying in ebay.com or amazon.com (Used ones comes around USD250-USD300)

To apply: Send your application + Fees + CA MEMBERSHIP Certificate to the CPA Exam Services, (COLORADO State). NO NEED TO EVALUATE YOUR CREDENTIALS IF ARE An INDIAN CA.

Website for application / syllabus / fees: http://www.nasba.org/
To know MORE details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Public_Accountant
Sample tests to practice software: http://www.cpa-exam.org/
Toll Free Phone No.: 1-800-CPA-EXAM
email: cpaexam@nasba.org