Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary

By IIC Lakshya

23 Jul 2024

Others

CPA full form is Certified Public Accountant. A CPA is an accounting practitioner whose knowledge and skills fulfil rigorous, defined criteria. Moreover, certified public accountants are legally permitted to carry out professional duties that non-CPAs cannot. Accounting is the primary profession for most CPAs. However, the certificate is also transferable to different job choices. Examples include forensic accounting, auditing, financial preparation, and accountability.

What is the Salary of CPA in India?

The average certified public accountant salary for freshers in India is around INR 6 LPA or around 50,000 INR. The average wage in India may reach INR 13.8 lakhs in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi. This changes from one firm to another.

CPA Salaries: The Dynamic World of CPA Earnings in India

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) reveal a world of strict requirements, various job paths, and enticing possibilities, particularly in India's rapidly expanding financial sector. The CPA credential demonstrates skill in accounting concepts and provides access to specific industries such as legal accounting and financial auditing. CPAs in India are paid competitively, with a typical annual CPA salary ranging from INR 6 to 13.8 lakhs, particularly in metropolitan regions.

CPA Salary based on Location (India and Abroad)

The salary of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) varies significantly based on the geographical location. Below is a comparative overview of average annual wages for CPAs in different countries, highlighting the financial rewards of this esteemed credential.

Here is a detailed breakdown of CPA salary location-wise:

Country	Salary
India	₹9,12,663 (INR)/yr
Canada	$100,291 (CAD)/yr
Australia	$113,035 (AUD)/yr
USA	$90,000 (USD)/yr
Japan	¥7,755,349 (JPY)/yr

CPA salary based on Job profiles in India

The below table shows the average CPA salary in India based on Job profiles:

Job Profile	Average Salary in INR (per year)
Accountant	₹125k – ₹510k
Chartered Accountant	₹418k – ₹2m
Finance Manager	₹371k – ₹2m
Financial Analyst	₹222k – ₹1m
Senior Financial Analyst	₹321k – ₹1m
Senior Accountant	₹242k – ₹775k
Account Manager	₹263k – ₹1m
Account Executive	₹157k – ₹505k
Assistant Finance Manager	₹397k – ₹1m

CPAs perform critical roles in promoting financial openness and strategic decision-making. As the need for CPAs grows in India, owing to their analytical skills and worldwide certification, prospective professionals are provided with many work options and the possibility of lucrative career paths.

What is the CPA Certification Process?

For aspiring individuals, the route to becoming a CPA in India starts with meeting the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) educational criteria. It involves getting a bachelor's degree in accounting or a similar discipline, completing suitable credit hours in business and accounting courses, and getting a practical understanding under the administration of a certified CPA.

After fulfilling these requirements, applicants must pass the Uniform CPA Exam, a four-part exam that covers attestation and auditing, business environment and principles, financial reporting, and accounting regulations. Moreover, potential CPAs must meet any state-specific license requirements, which may entail extra coursework or practical experience.

What is CPA Course Fees?

CPA expenses involve things like Registration fees, Application fees, testing fees etc.

The following table shows the breakdown of the CPA course fee:

Category	Expense	Amount	INR*
Category A	Evaluation	$225.00	₹18,506
Category B	SBA Registration Fee	$170.00	₹13,983
NTS Application Fee	$100.00	₹8,225
Total One-Time Fees	$495.00	₹40,715
CPA Exam Section Fee	$254.00	₹20,892
International Testing Fees	$390.00	₹32,078
Total Exam Fees (Per Exam)	$644.00	₹52,969
Total Exam Fees (Per Exam Fee × 4)	$2,576.00	₹2,11,876
Total CPA Exam Fee (One-Time + Exam Fee)	$3,071.00	₹2,52,590

CPA Exam Details - Duration, Format, Pattern

The CPA examination is computer-based and is conducted four times per year (in March, June, September, and December). Conversely, enrollment for the CPA course is open all year. To attain CPA accreditation, your first step is qualifying for the Uniform CPA Exam. This comprehensive examination is divided into four sections, with each session straddling a demanding four-hour duration.

These sections incorporate auditing and attestation (AUD), financial accounting and reporting (FAR), business environment and concepts (BEC), and regulation (REG). In an 18-month window, ambitious CPAs must effectively clear all four segments, scoring at least 75 in each.

The examination format comprises diverse mechanisms such as task-based simulations (TBS), multiple-choice questions (MCQ), and written communication tasks.

Why pursue CPA? - Benefits of becoming a Certified Public Accountant

The demand for the CPA in India lies in its global recognition and the massive professional prospects it offers. Here are some convincing reasons why aspiring students in India should consider pursuing a career in CPA:

Global Recognition:

The CPA accreditation is renowned and valued globally, opening doors to various career opportunities in cosmopolitan and international corporations, financial institutions, and regulatory organizations.

Career Advancement:

Getting the CPA title can expressively increase career prospects and unravel ways to senior management roles, leadership positions, and profitable job opportunities both in India and abroad.

High Demand:

With the expanding international business environment, the demand for CPAs with highly analytical skills, along with deep knowledge about international accounting ethics, increases, thus CPA professionals get an advantage in the job market.

CPA Career Options in India: A World of Possibilities

While historically linked with the United States, the CPA designation has acquired substantial support in India, creating a multitude of work prospects for ambitious financial professionals. The adaptability of the CPA degree provides access to a diverse variety of professional prospects in India. Some significant cpa job opportunities in India are

Public Accounting

Countless CPAs choose to work in public accounting firms, where they offer services such as tax advice, auditing, and counseling the clients ranging from minor enterprises to multinational establishments. Public accountants play a precarious role in safeguarding the accuracy of financial accounts and assisting clients in enhancing their tax strategy.

Corporate Finance

CPAs are extremely sought after in roles of corporate finance, where they contribute to the analysis, financial planning, and reporting of administrative activities inside an organization. From financial controllers to chief financial officers (CFOs), CPAs inhabit key leadership positions, pouring strategic decision-making and ensuring the financial health of corporations.

Government and Regulatory Agencies

Government agencies, tax authorities, and regulatory bodies frequently employ CPAs to supervise compliance with audits of public funds and fiscal guidelines. CPAs engaged in these roles are vibrant in endorsing accountability and transparency in monetary management practices.

Management Consulting

CPAs with strong analytical skills and a good hold over the foundation discover breaks in management consulting firms where they direct consumers over countless fiscal matters, such as risk management, mergers, acquisitions, and overall development strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the highest CPA salary?

Licensed CPAs can follow a variety of employment choices. Executives and directors in top-tier accounting professions can make up to 10L.p.a INR per year, which is more than four times the typical beginning pay for ordinary accountants.

How much does a CPA earn in India?

In India, the average CPA salary is roughly INR 6,88,538. In the private sector, the average yearly income for a CPA is between INR 6 and 9 lakhs, with compensation levels reaching INR 25 lakhs.

Who hires CPA in India?

Big 4 and Large Accounting Firms: Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG in India frequently recruit US CPAs for audit, tax, and consulting services.

Can a CPA become CEO?

Accountants, CPAs, and CFOs make excellent CEOs because they understand finances like no one else. As a skilled business tax accountant, financial analyst, and auditor, you can create a company plan that is both cost-effective and delivers the best overall ROI.