A Unique Program

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

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.

For Whom

Graduates and Postgraduates. CFAs, CAs, CWAs and CSs are also encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

Graduates (in any discipline) with 45% and above aggregate are eligible to enroll into the CPA Program.

Duration

The CPA Program may be completed in a period of 24 months.

Medium of Instruction : English

No Waivers

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

Period of Validity of Enrollment

Students are required to complete the CPA Program (all the six groups) within a maximum period of seven years from the date of enrollment. Students who are unable to complete the program within the time-frame stipulated above, but are still keen on continuing in the program, are required to register de novo, by paying the requisite fee.

Study and Examinations

The CPA Program is based on self-study and examinations.

Self-Study : The University provides a detailed study plan and prescribed books specially designed and published by the Icfai University Press, and meant for self-study.

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

CPAs will have career opportunities in the following areas:

• Accounting

• Auditing*

• Taxation

• Financial Consulting

• Management Consulting

• Financial Analysis & Valuation

• USGAAP and IFRS

• Accounting Research

• Banking, Financial Service and Insurance

• Corporate Sector

*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.