Janice Lozano
International students aspiring to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States face a challenging journey, but one that opens up numerous career opportunities. The CPA credential is widely regarded as one of the highest standards in the accounting profession, demonstrating expertise and a strict code of ethics. To obtain this prestigious designation, international students must navigate varying state requirements, including academic credentials, work experience, and the rigorous CPA Exam. This exam is offered internationally and assesses candidates' knowledge in core areas such as auditing, financial accounting, and taxation. While the path to becoming a CPA in the US as a foreign national may be complex, it is a rewarding pursuit that can lead to advanced careers in accounting and beyond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of jurisdictions in the US | 55 |
| Requirements | Vary by jurisdiction; some require a Social Security Number or Citizenship |
| Application process | Nearly identical to the regular CPA application process |
| Eligibility | Must meet the educational requirements listed by the chosen jurisdiction |
| Exam | Four-part CPA Exam; same across the world |
| Exam preparation | CPA Exam Review materials are available for purchase |
| Testing centers | Domestic and international testing centers |
| Work experience | Required by all jurisdictions for licensure; two years of professional accounting or tax preparation experience is recommended |
| Foreign credentials | Must be evaluated by a third-party service or a foreign credential evaluation agency |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can take the CPA Exam at a domestic or international testing centre
- Foreign transcript evaluation is required to ensure 150 credit hours
- Most states allow international students to become CPAs
- The CPA Exam is only available in English
- International students must meet the same requirements as US citizens
International students can take the CPA Exam at a domestic or international testing centre
While most states allow international candidates to be licensed, some have residency requirements, which may mandate that you reside in their jurisdiction or conduct significant business for at least 6 months. Some states also require applicants to hold a Social Security Number or Citizenship, although waivers are available for international candidates in some jurisdictions. All jurisdictions require work experience for licensure, with some requiring that this be directly supervised by an active CPA licensed in the U.S.
International candidates can take the CPA Exam in the U.S. or at one of the international CPA Exam testing centres. For example, citizens and long-term residents of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Columbia may sit for the Exam in Brazil. Candidates from other countries can expect the same types of questions and scoring standards as everyone else. A valid passport is required as the primary form of identification for candidates wishing to take the Exam at an international location.
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Foreign transcript evaluation is required to ensure 150 credit hours
International students aiming to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the US need to fulfil certain requirements. One of the key requirements is to have 150 total credit hours of general coursework, including a minimum number of courses in accounting and business. However, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university usually earns 120 credits. This is where foreign transcript evaluation comes into the picture.
Foreign transcript evaluation is a process where a credential evaluation agency assesses and interprets an international student's educational records to determine their US equivalency. This evaluation ensures that the student has the necessary 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA Exam. The agency will evaluate the student's transcripts, certificates, and other relevant documents to issue a detailed report to the state board of accountancy.
The foreign transcript evaluation process can vary in duration, typically taking anywhere from a few days to eight weeks, depending on the chosen agency. It is important to select an evaluation agency approved by the specific state board that the student intends to apply to. Each state board has its own list of recognised agencies, and it is crucial to verify their authorisation before initiating the evaluation process.
During the evaluation, the agency will scrutinise the student's transcripts, degree certificates, and other academic records. If these documents are in a language other than English, translation services may be required, although they can be quite costly. The evaluation agency will also consider the student's specific coursework, such as accounting and business courses, to ascertain if they possess the required knowledge to pursue the CPA certification.
After the foreign transcript evaluation process, the student will receive a comprehensive report detailing their total credits and equivalents. This report ensures that the student meets the educational prerequisites to sit for the CPA Exam. It is worth noting that some states allow students to take the exam after earning their bachelor's degree, but they will still need to complete the additional credit hours to attain the CPA license eventually.
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Most states allow international students to become CPAs
International students can become CPAs in the US, but they must meet specific requirements. While the CPA Exam is open to all international candidates, most states require candidates to be permanent residents or citizens. However, some states exempt international candidates from this requirement. Additionally, most states require candidates to possess a minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework from an accredited institution, with a bachelor's degree typically earning 120 credits.
To become a CPA, international students must pass the Certified Public Accountant Examination, which is the same worldwide, including the international version. The exam covers fundamental accounting concepts and may refer to US law and practices unfamiliar to international candidates. Thus, it is recommended that international students purchase CPA Exam Review materials to supplement their studying.
The application process for international candidates is nearly identical to the regular CPA application process. Candidates must select a US jurisdiction and contact their Board of Accountancy to obtain application materials and determine specific requirements and prerequisites. Most Boards of Accountancy require individuals with foreign credits to have their academic credentials evaluated by a third-party service. Once confirmed eligible, candidates can schedule their exam at a domestic or international testing center.
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The CPA Exam is only available in English
International students and professionals who want to earn a U.S. CPA license follow the same process as U.S. citizens. The CPA Exam is available at Prometric testing centres in 15 countries outside the U.S., including Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
To be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam, candidates must possess a minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework from an accredited institution. Most jurisdictions require students to complete coursework in business law, accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing. However, the majority of jurisdictions mandate 150 semester hours to take the exam. Some states allow candidates to sit for the exam after earning their bachelor's degree, but they must still complete a total of 150 semester hours.
International candidates must have their academic credentials evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency. This process can take anywhere from a few days to eight weeks. After the evaluation, candidates can determine which additional courses they need to take to meet the 150-hour rule.
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International students must meet the same requirements as US citizens
International students who want to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the US must meet the same requirements as US citizens. The CPA Exam is open to all international candidates who aspire to obtain their CPA certification. The CPA Exam is demanding and covers a lot of ground in terms of fundamental accounting concepts. It is the same all over the world, including the international version. Candidates from other countries can expect the same types of questions and the same scoring standards as everyone else.
International candidates face a unique challenge in studying for the CPA Exam. Some exam questions may refer to United States laws and practices unfamiliar to international candidates. It would be wise for anyone looking to get licensed as an international student to purchase CPA Exam Review materials to supplement their studying. International candidates can also take the IQEX, which is now being tested on a continuous basis. IQEX testing centers are open 24/7, so candidates can sign up at any time and take the exam.
International candidates must meet the educational requirements listed by one of the 55 US jurisdiction Boards of Accountancy. They must have at least 120 credit hours towards a four-year degree from an accredited institution. In the majority of jurisdictions, students are required to take courses in business law, accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing. Most states require 150 semester hours to take the CPA Exam. Some states allow candidates to sit for the exam after earning their bachelor's degree, but they'll still need to complete a total of 150 semester hours.
International students should do their research and compare requirements before making a decision. They can view state requirements on the AICPA website. The application process for international candidates is nearly identical to the regular CPA application process. International candidates will have to take the following steps to apply: select a US jurisdiction and contact their Board of Accountancy to obtain the application materials. Complete the application, including any extra materials that may be required for international candidates, and pay the required fees. Once they have confirmation that they're qualified, they can schedule their exam.
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Frequently asked questions
CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant. It is a designation reserved for accountants in the US who pass the CPA exam and meet other state requirements. CPAs are highly trusted professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills through rigorous education, examinations, and experience.
International students must meet the educational requirements of one of the 55 US jurisdiction Boards of Accountancy. Most states require a bachelor's degree with specific coursework in accounting and business, totalling 150 credit hours. Some states may also require work experience in accounting, with two years being recommended. International candidates must also provide a valid passport as their primary form of identification.
The CPA Exam is a challenging, four-part, 16-hour assessment that covers fundamental accounting concepts. The exam is the same worldwide and includes sections on Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Taxation and Regulation (REG), and a choice of Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Control (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
First, evaluate your eligibility and get your academic credentials evaluated by an approved agency to ensure they meet the standards required by the state board. Then, translate your academic certificates into English if necessary. Next, contact NASBA to guide you through the application process and schedule your exam through Prometric’s website.
