Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Course

Cutting Edge CPA training in an unmatched Combo;

  • Live training and support from IMS Proschool – leaders in Accounting & Finance in India
  • Content & Resources from UWorld – Featuring Peter Olinto’s experience & expertise

Check Your CPA Eligibility for FREE in Just 60 Seconds

Why Choose IMS Proschool….

90% Pass Rate

A staggering 90% of UWorld’s SmartPath™ learners pass the CPA exam, compared to the national average of ~50% in the US.

CPA Live Online Classes

Attend live, interactive online classes taught by experienced faculty.

Personalised Tracking & Mentoring

Tech-enabled, personalised tracking helps drive efficient mentoring and higher success rates

Credits for Exam Eligibility

Earn academic credits through NCVET / AICTE courses.

Gateway To Big 4 Consulting Firms

Placement support to land roles at top consulting/accounting firms.

46+ Years Legacy

The IMS legacy of building careers extends to every single learner at IMS ProSchool

Three Paths. One Destination.

Proschool is the only CPA provider in India with programmers designed for every eligibility profile from fully eligible candidates to those with a 30- credit shortfall.

Use our free credit diagnostic tool at proschoolonline.com to identify your starting point instantly.

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CPA Prep

For candidates who already hold 120 credits and are fully eligible to sit the CPA exam.

  • Live online classes by experienced CPA instructors

  • SmartPath™ adaptive analytics

  • UWorld course with 8,500+ MCQs & TBSs

  • Roger & Peter Olinto lectures

  • Eligibility assessment and registration support

  • Placement support

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CPA Advance

For candidates with 120 credits but a shortfall in accounting or business sub-credits.

  • Everything in CPA Prep

  • CPA bridge courses to cover credit gap

  • Foundation course to strengthen exam performance

  • State selection & NASBA eligibility support

  • Personalised mentoring & dedicated counsellor

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CPA Elite

For candidates with a 30-credit shortfall — the full journey from eligibility to license.

  • Everything in CPA Plus

  • 1 Yr PG in Accounting/ Business (AICTE)

  • Option of add-on 5th year (complete 150 credits for license)

  • End-to-end license guidance

Having trouble deciding which package to choose? Ask our experts for a detailed comparison

Three Paths. One Destination.

The only CPA provider in India with programs built for every eligibility profile — from fully eligible to 30-credit shortfall.

⭐

CPA Prep

For candidates who already hold 120 credits and are fully eligible to sit the CPA exam.

  • Live online classes by experienced CPA instructors

  • SmartPath™ adaptive analytics

  • UWorld course with 8,500+ MCQs & TBSs

  • Roger & Peter Olinto lectures

  • Eligibility assessment and registration support

  • Placement support

⭐

CPA Advance

For candidates with a 30-credit shortfall — the full journey from eligibility to license.

  • Everything in CPA Prep

  • CPA bridge courses to cover credit gap

  • Foundation course to strengthen exam performance

  • State selection & NASBA eligibility support

  • Personalised mentoring & dedicated counsellor

  • Placement support

⭐

CPA Elite

For candidates with 120 credits but a shortfall in accounting or business sub-credits.

  • Everything in CPA Plus

  • 1 Yr PG in Accounting/ Business (AICTE)

  • Option of add-on 5th year (complete 150 credits for license)

  • End-to-end license guidance

Having trouble deciding which package to choose? Ask our experts for a detailed comparison

What Students Have To Say About Our CPA Course

The classes have good infrastructure and good study environment that helps us to focus on my studies any time when i am in the classes. Great Thanks to Kavita Mam she personally mentored me before I appear for my exam. She also made me practice mock paper and gave me other practice paper to improve my score.
Keshav Baheti

It was a really good experience with IMS Proschool. The Coordinator (Amudha Venkatesh ) is so helpful for all the queries and needful. 

 

 

Sarita Yadav
I have been a student of IMS proschool for past few months. All the teachers were very supportive and made sure each and every student got there doubts cleared. The experience was good and the journey was knowledgeable. Really commendable.
Vaishnavi Sampat

The faculty clears the queries for each and every student. Whenever, there is a doubt regarding anything related to the course, I can directly contact them.

 

Vigneshwar S Acharya

Learn From India’s Finest — Powered by the World’s Best

At IMS Proschool, you are trained by professional CPA Faculty Members as well as industry professionals working in top accountancy firms.

Peter Olinto & Roger Philipp
Peter Olinto & Roger Philipp
Global Giants and Legends in the field of Finance & US CPA.
Binoy Thomas
Binoy Thomas
CIMA (U.K.), FCMA, ACSI (U.K.), Dip IFR ACCA (U.K.), DISSA
Shyam Prasad
Shyam Prasad
Business Strategist | Digital Marketer | Marketing Consultant | Lead Faculty- ACCA.

CPA Eligibility Requirements

Once you decide to pursue the CPA qualification, you are required to register from one of the 55 state boards in the United States of America. The eligibility varies across the states boards. Below are the minimum requirements across the state boards.

Requirements to sit for the CPA exam
     120 academic credits, of which

  • 24 are in accounting, covering FAR, AA, Tx, MA or CA *
  • 24 in business, ideally 6 in Economics, 3 in Finance, 3 in Law, 12 in other disciplines like marketing, IT, Administration, Math/Stats, Communication etc. *
  • Remaining credits from any academic discipline. *

Requirements to be a CPA License holder

  • Clear CPA exam

  • Have relevant 1 year work experience *

  • Have 150 academic credits (or additional work experience equivalent to 30 credits) *

  • Ethics / Biometrics / Social Security Number *

*may vary from state to state as each state may have minor differences.

CPA Syllabus

To earn CPA qualification, you must pass three 3 core subjects and 1 discipline subject out of 3 possible options.

The core subjects are –

  • Ethics, Professional Responsibilities, and General Principles
  • Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response
  • Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence
  • Forming Conclusions and Reporting

  • Conceptual Framework, Standard-Setting, and Financial Reporting
  • Select Financial Statement Accounts
  • Select Transactions
  • State and Local Governments

  • Ethics, Professional Responsibilities, and Federal Tax Procedures
  • Business Law
  • Federal Taxation of Property Transactions
  • Federal Taxation of Individuals
  • Federal Taxation of Entities

The 3 disciplines are –

  • Assurance or advisory services,
  • Financial statement analysis & reporting,
  • Technical accounting
  • Financial and operations management

  • Business Processes,
  • Information systems,
  • Information security and governance
  • IT audit

  • Individual Tax Compliance & Planning
  • Personal Finance Planning
  • Entity Tax Compliance and Planning

How the CPA Exam Works

Significantly reformed in January 2024 under CPA Evolution, with greater emphasis on data analytics and technology.

Exam Format

Exams MCQs Simulation
AUD 78 7
FAR 50 7
REG 72 8
BAR* 50 7
ISC* 50 7
TCP* 50 7

2025 National Pass    Rates

Section Pass Rate
AUD 48.21%
FAR  42.12%
REG 63.12%
BAR 41.94%
ISC 67.79%
TCP 77.65%

Skill Levels Table

Section Remembering & Understanding Application Analysis Evaluation
AUD(Core) 30-40% 30-40% 15-25% 5-15%
FAR(Core) 5-15% 45-55% 35-45% –
REG (Core) 25-35% 35-45% 25-35% –
BAR(Discipline) 10-20% 45-55% 30-40% –
ISC(Discipline) 55-65% 20-30% 10-20% –
TCP(Discipline) 5-15% 55-65% 25-35% –

UWorld SmartPath™ completers (IMS Proschool students) pass at 90% — nearly double the national average for core sections.

Key Rules to Know

  • Passing score: 75 on a scale of 0–99

  • 18-month rule: Pass all 4 sections within 18 months of passing the first

  • Testing in India: Available at Prometric centres in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi

  • Recommended order: FAR → AUD → REG → Discipline

Where Our Alumni Work

Our qualified professionals are trained to handle different strategic roles like a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a multinational firm.

Axis Bank hiring partner logo
CRISIL hiring partner logo
Atos hiring partner logo
Capgemini hiring partner logo
Sundaram Mutual hiring partner logo
Citibank hiring partner logo
Deloitte hiring partner logo
First Data hiring partner logo
JP Morgan hiring partner logo
Kesef Advisors hiring partner logo
SG Analytics hiring partner logo
Tech Mahindra hiring partner logo

What makes CPA a great choice!

The US equivalent of the Indian CA

Opens doors to Canada & Australia

Big 4 / MNC / GCC Placements

4 Exams with 45 to 60% pass rate

Entry level salaries of 4-12L

The US equivalent of the Indian CA

What makes CPA a great choice!

Opens doors to Canada & Australia

Big 4 / MNC / GCC Placements

4 Exams with 45 to 60% pass rate

Entry level salaries of 4-12L

US CPA Course FAQ’s

Eligibility & Credit Requirements

To sit for the CPA exam, you need 120 academic credit hours, including at least 24 credits in Accounting and 24 credits in Business. In the Indian context, this typically means 16 years of education. Most 3-year B.Com graduates need an additional 30-credit bridge program. IMS Proschool’s free automated eligibility tool can calculate your exact credit position in minutes.

It depends on your university’s NAAC grade and your academic performance. B.Com graduates from NAAC A-graded universities with a first-division score may be credited with 120 credits in certain US state boards. Most 3-year B.Com graduates, however, need a bridge program. IMS Proschool’s integrated bridge program (AICTE/NCVET approved) is specifically designed for this scenario — and runs concurrently with exam prep so you don’t lose time.

Yes, but you will need to fulfil the 24 accounting credit requirement. Graduates from Engineering, Science, or other streams who later pursued an MBA in Finance have successfully cleared the CPA exam. IMS Proschool’s bridge programs can provide the necessary accounting and business credits regardless of your undergraduate background.

Absolutely. CAs are among the strongest CPA candidates because of their deep accounting foundation. Many CAs pursue CPA to qualify for roles at MNCs, Big 4 international practices, or to enhance immigration prospects to the US, Canada, or Australia. For CAs, the exam prep period is typically shorter (6–12 months) due to their existing knowledge base. IMS Proschool has tailored support for CA candidates.

You need 120 credits to appear for the CPA exam and 150 credits to receive the CPA license. Most candidates appear for the exam at 120 credits and complete the remaining 30 credits — either through additional academic programs or, in some states, through equivalent work experience — before applying for the license. IMS Proschool’s Comprehensive program is designed to take you from 90 credits all the way through to licensing eligibility.

A CPA Bridge Course is an academic program that helps Indian students earn the US-equivalent academic credits needed for CPA eligibility. If you have a 3-year B.Com degree, you almost certainly need one. IMS Proschool offers AICTE-approved and NCVET-recognised bridge options — including targeted accounting or business credit programs and a full 30-credit PG program — that run concurrently with your CPA exam prep.

The CPA Exam

The CPA exam consists of 4 sections: 3 mandatory Core sections (AUD — Auditing & Attestation, FAR — Financial Accounting & Reporting, REG — Regulation) and 1 Discipline section chosen from BAR (Business Analysis & Reporting), ISC (Information & Systems Controls), or TCP (Tax Compliance & Planning). Each section is 4 hours long and includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Task-Based Simulations (TBS).

A minimum score of 75 (on a scale of 0–99) is required to pass each section. Scores are not percentages — they are scaled scores that factor in both the difficulty of questions and the proportion of correctly answered items. IMS Proschool’s SmartPath-based preparation is calibrated to get you consistently scoring above 75 in mock exams before your actual attempt.

The CPA exam is genuinely challenging. National pass rates in 2025 range from approximately 42% (FAR, BAR) to 77% (TCP) depending on the section. However, candidates who use structured preparation with high-quality content significantly outperform this average. UWorld SmartPath™ completers — which is what IMS Proschool students use — pass at 90%, nearly double the national average for core sections.

Yes. The CPA exam is available at Prometric testing centres in India, including locations in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and New Delhi. You do not need to travel to the US. IMS Proschool provides end-to-end support for scheduling your exam at the nearest Indian Prometric centre.

Once you pass your first CPA section, you have 18 months to pass all remaining three sections. If you don’t complete all four within this window, the first section expires and must be retaken. IMS Proschool’s structured study plan and SmartPath-based tracking are specifically designed to help students complete all four sections comfortably within this window.

There is no mandatory sequence. Most candidates follow this recommended order: FAR → AUD → REG → Discipline Section. Starting with FAR builds the strongest accounting foundation. However, IMS Proschool counsellors will help you plan the optimal sequence based on your academic background and available study time.

About the CPA Qualification

The US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional accounting credential issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It is widely regarded as the most prestigious accounting qualification globally, recognised in over 130 countries. A CPA is authorised to perform statutory audits, sign tax returns, provide assurance services, and offer financial advisory — functions that require licensed CPAs under US law.

Both are professional accounting qualifications, but they differ significantly in scope. The Indian CA qualification is governed by ICAI and is India-centric in its regulatory application, while the US CPA is globally recognised, particularly by MNCs, Big 4 firms, and US-headquartered organisations. For someone targeting a Big 4 career in India with international client exposure, CPA often commands a higher salary premium than CA. CPA also has a more structured exam format (4 sections), which many candidates find more manageable than the CA route.

Yes. The US CPA is highly valued in India, particularly at Big 4 accounting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), Fortune 500 subsidiaries, US MNCs, and Indian companies with international operations. With 1,600+ GCCs now operating in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, demand for US CPAs in India has never been higher.

The US CPA is an auditing, taxation, and financial reporting credential, while the US CMA (Certified Management Accountant) focuses on strategic management accounting and financial decision-making. CPA is typically pursued by those targeting public accounting, audit, and tax roles; CMA is preferred for internal finance roles in corporates. IMS Proschool offers both qualifications with proven track records in each.

Preparation & Coaching

UWorld CPA Review is the result of combining Roger CPA’s engaging instruction, Wiley CPA’s extensive question bank, and the teaching of Peter Olinto. UWorld’s SmartPath™ technology adapts your study plan in real time based on your performance across 7,000+ MCQs, full-length mock exams, and task-based simulations. The result: 94% of UWorld users who complete SmartPath pass on their first attempt. This is the content platform IMS Proschool has chosen exclusively for its CPA students.

Peter Olinto is widely considered one of the greatest CPA instructors in the world — known for using humour, real-world examples, and powerful mnemonics to make complex accounting topics accessible. He was previously the marquee instructor at Becker CPA, a platform one major competitor (Simandhar) uses exclusively. Peter has now moved to UWorld — the platform powering IMS Proschool. This means Proschool students benefit from the instructor who made Becker famous, through the platform with a 90% pass rate.

Most candidates require 300–400 total study hours to prepare for all four sections (approximately 80–100 hours per section). This translates to 12–18 months for working professionals or 6–10 months for full-time students. IMS Proschool’s SmartPath-based study plan helps you reach exam-ready status efficiently without over-studying or under-preparing.

Yes, and many IMS Proschool students do exactly this. Live online classes are conducted in evenings and weekends, recordings are available for replay, and your personalised tracker flags if you’re falling behind. Many of India’s top CPAs passed the exam while working full-time at Big 4 firms or MNCs.

Career & Salary

Entry-level CPAs at Big 4 firms in India earn between ₹10–12 LPA. With 3–5 years of experience, this rises to ₹15–22 LPA. Senior roles (Financial Controller, Director of Finance, VP Finance) in MNCs and GCCs command ₹25–40 LPA and above. CPAs in metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram typically earn 10–20% more than the national average.

Yes, significantly. The CPA is a US-based credential and is the primary qualification recognised for public accounting roles in the United States. CPAs in the US earn between $70,000–$1,30,000+ annually. Many Indian professionals use CPA to transition to US-based roles, either directly or after working for the India arm of US firms. The credential also carries Mutual Recognition Agreements with Canada (CPA Canada) and Australia (CPA Australia), making it a gateway for immigration to these countries.

This is one of the most important decisions for Indian CPA candidates, and getting it wrong wastes significant time and money. The right state board depends on your educational background, credit profile, and career goals. Some state boards are more flexible on credit requirements for international candidates. IMS Proschool counsellors analyse your academic profile and recommend the optimal state board — a critical service that most self-study candidates struggle with.

Cost & Fees

The total cost includes three components: (1) IMS Proschool coaching fees (varies by program variant); (2) AICPA exam registration and application fees: approximately ₹1.8–2.2 lakhs (varies by state board and USD exchange rate); (3) International testing fees for appearing at Indian Prometric centres. The total all-in cost typically ranges from ₹2.5 to ₹5 lakhs depending on program and state board. Contact IMS Proschool for a personalised cost breakdown.

Yes. IMS Proschool offers flexible payment options, including EMI facilities, for all CPA program variants. Speak to your nearest Proschool centre counsellor or call +91 7710044425 for payment plan details.