M.Com Vs US CPA: A Detailed Guide to US CPA Course, Eligibility Criteria and Exam!

No two finance courses are the same, but comparing two or more offers some insights for students or professionals looking forward to a successful career. This article will discuss the old-school prestigious MCom degree, which gives you a master's in commerce, and the US Certified Public Accountant certification, which has a strong potential to make you an accountant who is in demand globally in top companies.

Key Takeaways

• M.Com Vs US CPA

• Why US CPA Course After B.Com

• US CPA Course Details

Why US CPA Course After BCom?

Generally, the Chttps://www.northstaracad.com/cpa-course-detailsPA exam is open to most BCom graduates in India. In India, university education lasts for 3 years, which is equivalent to 30 semester credits in the U.S. or 90 credits in total. If you score first class, you may earn 120 credits, which is the minimum required for a US CPA course. Thus, you can take a CPA course after BCom. When you pursue a CPA after completing your BCom studies, you can build a strong foundation in financial management and accounting principles. You can also get a globally recognized, specialized certification that can easily elevate your career. Whether in corporate finance departments or public accounting firms, CPAs enjoy a lot of demand. When you pursue a CPA, it can be advantageous to have a background in accounting, commerce, or a related domain. 

USA CPA vs MCom Comparison

Both MCom and USA CPA are important certifications in finance and accounting. Academics and professionals in the accounting domain hold them in high regard. In India and abroad, employers and recruiters place a lot of value on both degrees. However, the global recognition of the USA CPA is more significant. If you hold the certification, you can earn a high salary package if you take up a good job role in some prestigious organization. 

Here is a complete comparison of MCom vs. US CPA based on various parameters:

US CPA Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for MCom studies, you must have at least 50% aggregate in BCom or BCom (H) from an esteemed college or university. Some universities also welcome those students who have graduated in BBE, BBA, or Economics (H), with an aggregate of at least 60%. To pursue the CPA certification program, you should have a graduation degree or equivalent. To get the CPA license, you must complete 150 hours of the course each semester. Many states expect candidates to have 1-2 years of experience working under a CPA. 

CPA US Course Details 

The MCom course spans four semesters and typically covers the following topics in its two-year post-graduate curriculum:

• Organization Theory and Behaviour
• Statistical Analysis
• Economic Analysis
• Financial Management and Policy
• Managerial Accounting
• Business Environment
• Quantitative Techniques for Business Decisions
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management
• Accounting Theory and Practice
• International Business
• Human Resource Management

An aspiring CPA candidate has to sit for the exams, which are divided into four sections. The three core sections that are mandatory are as follows: 

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Taxation and Regulation (REG)

For the fourth section, you can select and complete one of the following tasks:

• Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
• Information Systems and Controls (ICS) and
• Tax, Compliance, and Planning (TCP)

You must pass all sections within approximately 18 months, achieving a minimum score of 75 in each part. The exam includes:

• Multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
• Task-Based Simulations (TBS) and 
• Written Communication Tasks.

 
Salary

An MCom candidate can earn an average of INR 2.1 lakh per year, and the highest salary can be slightly above INR 5 lakh in India. In India, CPA professionals can earn an average starting salary of INR 2.2 lakhs per annum. For those with rich experience of 10–20 years, the salary can go above Rs 17 lakh. 

MCom vs US CPA: Jobs

When you get an MCom degree, you can find excellent opportunities in big audit firms. These firms have sound employment prospects. You can expect excellent professional growth and financial success. It can be easier for you to bag job positions that demand excellent knowledge of accounting principles. 

You can have a strong foundation in accounting and other core topics after completing your post-graduation course, MCom. You can take on important job roles, such as:

• Investment Banker
• Auditor
• Financial Controller
• Senior Accountant
• and the list is long

Pursuing an M.Com. degree prepares you for employment and entrepreneurship. It is an excellent opportunity to become a well-rounded professional in commerce.

When you pursue certifications like US CPA, you can further improve your knowledge and skills. Audit firms and multinational corporations highly value the CPA designation. The worldwide respect for the US CPA qualification allows you to choose from a wide range of global job opportunities. CPA professionals are valuable assets because they are adaptable during economic changes. CPA professionals possess a diverse range of specializations and career paths.

• Taxation
• Auditing
• Advisory Roles and
• More

You must continuously learn to stay updated and ensure your professional growth. You not only have to seek jobs with prestigious employers as a CPA, but you can even try becoming an entrepreneur, using your financial knowledge and business mindset to your fullest advantage.

Job Titles After CPA in Accounting Firms

After qualifying as a CPA, you can work as follows:

• Financial Accountant
• Financial Controller
• Tax Advisor
• Finance Director
• Financial Analyst
• Forensic Accountant and
• There are many more professional roles

MCom vs US CPA: Which One is Better?

CPA USA can give you an edge in the highly competitive job market. There are plenty of career opportunities open for professionals armed with the CPA certification. You can find international job opportunities with higher pay packages. However, MCom is necessary for a foundational understanding of the CPA course subjects. It also allows you to complete many of the credits that the CPA course demands.

Picking, Pursuing, and Persevering: Weighing Options

To hold on to your ground in this competitive job market, it is not enough to pursue and earn an MCom degree alone. Add more credibility to your qualifications, boost your CV, and earn more recognition than ever by combining the best of finance courses or available programs. 

MCom & US CPA

MCom gives you the scope to learn more about accounting, taxation, and other core topics. You get hands-on knowledge and skills that will make CPA a great option for you to catapult your career. Going on to pursue CPA after MCom will make things easier for you. When you get the CPA certification, you become a licensed accountant offering public services. So, expanding your horizons to be a go-getter in the accounting and finance domain becomes a reality with MCom and CPA certifications under your belt. Auditing firms, top MNCs, and big names in the business world would be eager to hire you.

ACCA after MCom

From gaining recognition on a global scale to getting well-versed in international accounting standards, ACCA, with its 13 exams (plus one professional module on ethics) spread across three levels, lets you absorb all the vital subjects in the finance and accounting domain. MNCs, Big4, and top organizations from all over the world hire ACCA professionals, and when you pursue ACCA after MCom, it gets a bit easier for you to crack ACCA. 

CA and CPA USA

Let’s not always compare and talk about whether a CA is better than a CPA and vice versa. What about taking both prestigious courses one after the other? Let’s accept that it’s not for the faint-hearted to take up such an academic challenge—but the prestige, power, and value that you will command as a finance professional after bagging both course certifications are invaluable. 

Conclusion

So, by now, you have understood that MCom can act as the best ground for building your career, with a CPA course or any other top financial course acting as the perfect one to add immense value to your CV. When you want to pursue CPA and kickstart your career on a high note by wishing to touch global shores within a short period, let NorthStar Academy shape your career. You can make the most of the online study environment, top-notch course materials, top-tier faculty, interactive sessions of knowledge sharing, webinars, and more when you stop by this online training institute, NorthStar Academy. You can also record our lectures to review them later. So, talk to the experts today! To ease the communication process, you can use WhatsApp. Our expert assistance is just a text away