How To Pass The CPA Exam: The IPassTheCPAExam.com Guide for International Candidates

About the CPA

The US CPA designation is one of the most sought-after qualifications in the accounting profession. In 2012, international candidates represented 9.2% of total candidate pool, and the percentage will likely increase with the availability of non-US exam sites in Japan, Middle East and South America. Do you want to start your own CPA journey? Here is a summary of the process.

International candidates should be aware that the US CPA license is granted by one of the US states and jurisdictions and not by a centralized governmental agency as in most countries. It is also not a "program" in which you can enroll in order to learn about what is tested in the exam: you are required to fulfill the educational requirements on your own to get qualified.

Each state or jurisdiction has slightly different educational requirements, but in general you should have completed at least a 4-year bachelor degree and 150 credit hours of studies. Most states also ask for a minimum number of accounting and business courses.

Because of these specific rules, candidates graduated from non-US universities, non-accounting majors and those who do not have 150 credit hours of studies may have difficulty getting qualified for the exam. The good news is that there are a few states that allow you to take the exam in these situations, and I cover the details in my book.

Once you pick a jurisdiction and have your exam application approved by the state board, the process becomes much easier. You can schedule your exam online on any weekday during the testing window, which is the first and second month of any quarter. You can register in one state and physically sit for the exam in another. You can also study at your own pace at the comfort of your home using self-study review materials.

Getting the CPA designation is no easy task for domestic and international candidates alike, but qualifying for and passing the CPA exam is definitely doable with the right steps. In 2012, more than 8,500 non-US candidates from 101 countries took part in the Uniform CPA Examination. If they can do it, so can you.