Pursuing CPA- USA: Eligibility For Indian CAs
This is matter
of great confusion and literally there is no guidance in this direction.
Whether I am
eligible for CPA- USA or not? This question haunted me for months and I finally
decided to get my evaluation done and find out; for this I had to risk Rs.
60,000 as I needed guidance from coaching institute and Rs 20,000 as evaluation
fee and Rs 4,000 as courier expenses. After going through this entire mental
trauma I decided to write this blog to help others.
Yes, if you are
a Chartered Accountant and hold B. Com degree you can pursue CPA- USA. I am a
CA and I have done B.Com from IGNOU i.e. B.Com (A&F) (this made my case
even more doubtful). Those who have
completed CA and hold B.Com degree from open school can follow the blog and
get eligibility evaluation done without losing their mental peace.
- Request for transcripts and attested mark sheets in sealed envelope from ICAI (http://www.icai.org/new_post.html?post_id=653). Procedure of transcripts at ICAI is very clear, easy and fast. I had taken both transcripts and attested Xerox of my mark sheets in sealed envelope, this costed me Rs. 1000. Officials at ICAI are very cooperative. This process won’t take more than 7 days.
- Get your CA Degree or Membership Degree attested from Management Committee of ICAI, Sector- 62, Noida. You have to show your original certificate and latest fee payment receipt. They don’t charge any fees for this.
- Request for transcripts and attested mark sheets in sealed envelope from IGNOU (http://www.ignou.ac.in/upload/form/OFFICIAL%20TRANSCRIPT.doc). This will cost you Rs. 200 and in case of IGNOU transcripts and attested mark sheet is one because their mark sheets already have credit hours mentioned. But, this process at IGNOU will take at least 1 month or may be more. There is no one who will guide you or receive your phone calls. I had to take leave from office and visit IGNOU and I decided to send my originals and not wait from the transcripts.
- Register yourself at NASBA (https://nasba.org/products/nasbainternationalevaluationservices).
- Chose evaluation under undecided jurisdiction (this will cost you extra $100 but it’s a safe move).
- Get in touch with all major courier agencies because courier can cost you a lot if you don’t ask for educational discount. So, what I did was I dropped a mail to Bluedart, DHL and Fedex requesting them to provide me student discount as my application was for educational purpose. Only bluedart agreed for it and charged me Rs. 1250 (might vary depending on source city) for sending my documents to the USA.
- Complete your application online and send these documents via courier: A. Transcripts of CA- PCC and FINAL mark sheets in sealed envelope. B. Attested mark sheets and pass certificates of CA in sealed envelope. C. Transcripts and attested final mark sheet of B.Com (A&F) or individual mark sheets of all three years for B.Com In sealed envelope and your Degree. D. NASBA wavier form duly filled. E. Cover letter mentioning your application number and documents attached. OR A. Original of CA- PCC and FINAL mark sheets and pass certificates. B. Originals final mark sheet of B.Com (A&F) or individual mark sheets of all three years for B.Com and your Degree. C. NASBA wavier form duly filled. D. Cover letter mentioning your application number and documents attached. E. Request NASBA to send back your documents and pay for courier (this option will cost you less compared to importing documents yourself).
- Once your documents are received by NASBA(NIES), they will send you a mail that they have started your evaluation.
- NASBA will get back to you in around 20-25 days with your credits evaluated. If you have done CA + B.Com (A&F) your total credits will be more than 120 but less than 150. This means you are eligible for CPA exams only.
- NASBA will come up with 3 options for states from where you can pursue CPA. Select Alaska and NIES will prepare your credit evaluation report for Alaska State
Now you are all
good to go. Start studying for your CPA exams now. Register yourself with
Alaska only after you have finished your course once. Apply for USA Visa after
registration formalities are completed. This blog is only to clear smoke around
eligibility confusion. If you have not done your CPA homework before reading
this blog. Go through following links first:
In case on any
query related to the blog feel free to reach me at nagori.prerna@gmail.com. In case, of
any query regarding CPA you can mail NASBA at cpaexam@nasba.org they
can answer your questions best. Best part is they are very cooperative and easy
to reach too.
