A Unique Program

'CPA' and 'Certified Public Accountant' are registered trademarks.

The CPA Program is offered in two formats: Regular (24 months) and Accelerated (12 months). 

Objectives

The CPA Program is a postgraduate program with the following broad objectives :

• To encourage aspiring students equip themselves with the latest tools and techniques in accounting.

• To develop contemporary body of knowledge and skill-set and make them available for those seeking careers in professional accounting.

• To provide interdisciplinary insights into accounting, auditing, taxation and laws & regulations for developing holistic perspectives.

• To deepen insights into practical applications of accounting in a dynamic business environment.

The Approach

The CPA Program follows the following distinctive but inter-related approaches :

• Basic Knowledge aimed at improving students' understanding of certain fundamental phenomena and relationships underlying the changing world of accounting.

• Tools and Techniques are required to equip students improve their analytical ability and power of integration and synthesis.

• Application Areas linking the theoretical studies to the practical problems faced by professional accountants.

• Professional Ethics aimed at inculcating in the students an ethical approach in their professional interactions and a sense of personal, corporate, and social responsibilities.

Focus Areas

The Program has five focus areas:

• Accounting The program covers the modern accounting practices and skills that are required in today's complex business environment. This enables businesses to take economic decisions and plan their activities effectively. It also helps professional accountants to be forward-looking, shifting their priorities from analyzing past events to acting as strategic partners, advisors and information providers.

• Auditing The recent thrust on corporate governance and the adoption of computers by enterprises have not only revolutionized accounting practices but also impacted an auditor's ability to perform effectively. This program imparts the necessary knowledge and skills required in performing the audit function effectively in this changed environment.

• Taxation The program is designed to update the student on the tax treatment of business entities. The various tax laws and tax planning considerations are dealt in detail.

• Laws and Regulations The understanding of finer aspects of business laws and judicial precedents help managing business situations better in today's environment of liberalization and globalization. The program provides an understanding of the business laws and also the Indian and global regulatory environment.

• Allied Areas The allied areas include management accounting, financial management and electives like accounting standards, forensic accounting, management control systems and business analysis and valuation.

Eligibility

Regular CPA: Graduates (in any discipline) with 45% and above.

Duration

24 months.

Accelerated CPA: Graduates (any discipline) with 45% and above and a pass in CA (Inter) or CWA (Inter) or CS (Inter) exams. CAs/CWAs/CSs/MBAs (Finance)* are also encouraged to apply for the Accelerated CPA Program.

* Candidates who have passed MBA with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA and above (with minimum 4 Finance Elective subjects) are eligible.

Duration

12 months.

Medium of Instruction : English

Students who have pursued their degree program in non-English medium are advised to undergo proper preparatory coursed in Business English so that they can cope with the CPA Program.

No Waivers

All students are required to appear for all examinations. There are no waivers.

Validity of enrollment

The students of the Regular CPA Program are required to complete Groups A, B and C within a maximum period of 3 years from the date of enrollment. The students of the Accelerated CPA Program are required to complete the entire program within a maximum period of 3 years from the date of enrollment. Students who are unable to complete within 3 years, but are still keen on continuing in the program, are required to register de novo by paying the requisite fee.

360⁰ Flexi-mode

The CPA Program is based on study and examinations, with 360⁰ flexibility for students.

Self-Study : The University provides a detailed study plan and prescribed books specially designed and meant for self-study.

Examinations: The examinations serve to finally assess and certify the students' understanding of the subjects.

Courseware: The courseware includes textbooks, workbooks, study guides and books of reading. Initially the courseware is supplied for the first group only, so that the students will always get the latest editions as they progress in their studies.

Textbooks: Textbooks are specially designed for independent study by the students.

Study Guides: Study guides provide crisp and concise information of all the contents of the subjects. They will help the students revise and refresh their knowledge on all the topics.

Workbooks: Workbooks are designed to help the students in preparing for the examinations.

Model question papers with suggested answers: The model question papers with suggested answers based on examination pattern are included in the respective workbooks.

Continuous Learning Input: Magazines play a very important role in updating knowledge. Students are provided with Accounting World magazine, a monthly publication of the latest developments in the area of accounting, as a continuous learning input.

Eligibility for appearing in examinations

Regular CPA: Students will be eligible to appear for Group A examinations 5 months after the date of enrollment provided all the fee dues are paid in full. Subsequently, they can appear for one group every three months. Students are required to appear and pass the groups in a sequential order.

Accelerated CPA: Students will be eligible to appear for Groups A and B examinations 5 months after the enrollment provided all the fee dues are paid in full. They can appear for next two Groups (C and D) after 3 months. Subsequently, they can appear for last two Groups (E and F) after 3 months. Students are required to appear and pass the groups in a sequential order.

Career Opportunities

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have been in great demand in the modern day, hi-tech business environment. The demand for CPAs has increased manifold due to the booming corporate sector. CPAs have exciting career opportunities in the following areas:

• Accounting

• Tax Advisory Services

•  Audit Services* 

• Management Accounting

• Corporate Finance

• Investment Banking

• International Finance

• Corporate Restructuring

• Business Analysis and Valuation

• Financial Consultancy Services

• Business Advisory Services

• Legal Advisory Services

• Management Consultancy Services

• Assurance and Performance Management Services

• Investment Management

• Financial Planning

• Forensic Accounting

• Risk Management

• Corporate Governance

• Financial Reporting

• USGAAP and IFRS

• Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

• Capital Markets

• Project Evaluation

• Banking Services

• Insurance Services

• BPOs and ITES

• Forex Operations

• Accounting Research

• Information System Auditing.

*Note: CPAs can undertake several types of audits, except those audits which are exclusively reserved for chartered or cost accountants only, like statutory
audit /cost audit of companies.