CPA Course: Fees 2023, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning & Online

Updated on Jan 9, 2023 04:20 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content

Certified Public Accountant or CPA is a certification course offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). One can obtain the CPA certification after completing higher education to have lucrative career opportunities. CPA exam is conducted for a duration of 16 hours. The CPA examination is divided into four papers. Each paper will be conducted for a duration of four hours.   

To pursue the CPA certification course candidates must have obtained a graduation degree or equivalent. To earn the CPA license candidates must ensure to complete the 150 hours of the CPA course semester. 

Table of Contents
  1. CPA Courses Types 
    • 1.1 Assessment 1: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) 
    • 1.2 Assessment 2: Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 
    • 1.3 Assessment 3: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) 
    • 1.4 Assessment 4: Regulations (REG) 
  2. CPA Course Assessment 
  3. FAQs on CPA Course 

CPA Courses Types 

CPA examination is a part-time course that can be pursued by graduates. There is no need to attend the regular classrooms. Candidates must prepare for the examination as per the CPA syllabus. The examination is conducted for a duration of 16 hours. The question paper will consist of simulation, MCQs and written ability. Candidates must clear all four assessments in 18 months obtain CPA license. 

Assessment 1: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) 

Auditing and Attestation Assessment is divided into six sections. This section will consist of 72 MCQs and eight task-based simulations. Check the table below to know the syllabus under AUD assessment: 

Sections  

Contents  

Number of questions  

Auditing and Attestations (AUD)  

AUD 2- Section Introduction  

AUD 6- Summary blueprint  

AUD 7- Area 1- Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and General Principles  

AUD 11- Area 2- Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response  

AUD 17- Area 3- Performing further procedures and obtaining evidence  

AUD 22- Area 4- Forming conclusions and reporting  

72 (MCQs), 8 (Task-based simulations) 

Assessment 2: Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 

Business Environment and Concepts assessment is divided into seven section. This assessment will consist of 62 MCQs, four Task-Based Simulations (TBSs) and three written communication questions.  

Sections  

Contents  

Number of questions  

Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 

BEC 2- Section Introduction  

BEC 6- Summary Blueprint  

BEC 7- Area 1- Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Controls and Business Processes  

BEC 10- Area 2- Economics  

BEC 12- Area 3- Financial Management  

BEC 14- Area 4- Information Technology  

BEC 17- Area 5- Operations Management 

62 (MCQs), 4 (TBSs), 3 (Written Communication) 

Assessment 3: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) 

Financial Accounting and Reporting paper is divided into six sections. This paper will consist of a total of 66 MCQs and 8 TBSs. Check the table below to know the detailed contents of the paper.  

Sections  

Contents  

Number of questions  

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) 

FAR 2- Section Introduction  

FAR 6- Summary Blueprint  

FAR 7- Area 1- Conceptual framework, standard-setting, and financial reporting  

FAR 13- Area 2- Select financial statement accounts  

FAR 19- Area 3- Select transactions  

FAR 24- Area 4- State and Local Governments 

66 (MCQs), 8 (TBSs) 

Assessment 4: Regulations (REG) 

The Regulations paper is divided into seven sections. This paper will consist of a total of 76 MCQs and eight TBSs. Check the table below to know the content of the paper: 

Sections  

Contents  

Number of questions  

Regulations (REG) 

REG 2 – Section Introduction  

REG 5- Summary Blueprint  

REG 6- Area 1- Ethics, professional responsibilities and federal tax procedures  

REG 8- Area 2- Business Law  

REG 11- Area 3- Federal taxation of property transactions  

REG 14- Area 4- Federal taxation of individuals  

REG 16- Area 5- Federal taxation of entities   

 

76 (MCQs), 8 (TBSs) 

CPA Course Assessment 

Candidates pursuing the CPA course are assessed on various parameters. Check the table below to the parameters and their weightage: 

Section 

Remembering and Understanding 

 Application 

 Analysis 

 Evaluation 

AUD 

25–35% 

 30–40% 

 20–30% 

5–15% 

BEC 

15–25% 

 50–60%* 

20–30% 

— 

FAR 

10–20% 

50–60% 

25–35% 

— 

REG 

25–35% 

35–45% 

25–35% 

— 

FAQs on CPA Course 

Q. What is CPA course?

Ans. Certified Public Accountant is a trusted financial advisor who helps businesses, individuals and other organisations plan and reaches their financial goals.  

Q. Are CPA and Accountants the same thing?

Ans. All CPAs are accountants; however, all accountants are not CPAs. The difference w=between the two is education, opportunity and experience.  

Q. What are the career opportunities for CPAs?

Ans. CPAs can work in public accounting, government, business and industry, education and non-profit organisations. CPAs can provide services in specialised areas such as business valuation, financial forensics, IT consulting, personal financial planning and so forth.  

Q. What is the eligibility criteria to become CPA?

Ans. To become a CPA candidates must be graduates and must have completed 150 hours of semester course work. After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, the next step is to sit for the CPA uniform examination. 

Q. What are the skills required to become a CPA?

Ans. To become a CPA candidates must possess the prescribed skills- problem-solving, analytical & research skills, personal skills, strong communication skills, understanding emerging technologies, project management, marketing/client focus skills.  

Q. How are candidates assessed during the course?

Ans. Candidates are assessed on the basis of the following: 
  1. Auditing and Attestations (AUD)  
  2. Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) 
  3. Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) 
  4. Regulations (REG) 

Q. What is the duration of the programme?

Ans. Candidates must complete all four assessments in eight months. Each assessment will be conducted for a duration of four hours.  

Q. Is CPA a degree?

Ans. No, CPA is a certification course. Candidates can pursue the course part-time. There will be no requirement to attend a regular classroom.  

Popular CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Colleges in India. Learn more about these CPA (Certified Public Accountant) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 Courses
432 - 540
7 LPA

#3 India Today

2 Courses
87.73 K
4.6

#1 Outlook

10 Courses
43.41 K - 3.82 L
5.3 - 6.89 LPA

#7 India Today

70 K - 11.9 L
4.8 - 6.14 LPA

#9 The Week

2 Courses
51.6 K - 80.61 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#2 Outlook

3 Courses
29.51 K - 49.49 K
5.45 - 6.05 LPA

#6 Outlook

Popular Private CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Colleges in India

3.3 L - 7.6 L
4.2

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

5 Courses
1.5 L - 3.5 L
6.12 LPA
89 K - 2.5 L
1.2
1 L - 10.45 L
4.1

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

25 Courses
2.5 L - 9 L
5.15 - 7.78 LPA

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

1.32 L - 1.8 L
4.4
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Student Forum

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Answered a month ago

Yes, you can qualify to take the CPA exam if you have an accounting degree from San Francisco State University (SFSU): 

Undergraduate program

The accounting programme at SFSU offers courses that prepare students for professional certifications like the CPA. Students should consult an accounting adviso

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Sama Supriya

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Answered 3 months ago

SQUAD Infotech offers a course called CPA+ that includes all levels of CPA exam including the foundation (Level 1), Intermediate (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 3) levels. Students will get assignments for evaluation, work on live projects to practise their acquired knowledge and will also go through

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Jaya Sharma

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