The core body of knowledge of the CPA Program includes current and evolving concepts, techniques and applications, and also providing the flavor of the frontiers of knowledge.

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 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 business 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.

Regular CPA: Bachelor’s Degree in English medium (any discipline) with 45% and above aggregate marks.

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

Duration: 24 months.

Accelerated CPA: Bachelor’s Degree in English medium (any discipline) with 45% and above aggregate marks 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.

Duration: 12 months.

Medium of instruction : English

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

Validity of enrollment

• For students who pay fee year-wise.

• They are required to complete Year I of the CPA Program within a maximum period of two years from the date of enrollment. Students who are unable to complete the program within two years, but are still keen on continuing in the program, are required to register de novo by paying the requisite fee.

• For students who pay full fee for both the Years.

They are required to complete all six groups of the CPA Program within a maximum period of four years from the date of enrollment. Students who are unable to complete the program within four years, but are still keen on continuing in the program, are required to register de novo by paying the requisite fee.

The CPA Program is based on study and examinations.

• Study: The University provides a detailed study plan and prescribed books specially designed (as per the curriculum of the University) and meant for study.

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

• Courseware: The courseware includes textbooks, workbooks 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.

• 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 free access on the web for the Accounting World magazine, a monthly publication of the latest developments in the area of accounting, as a continuous learning input.

• Regular CPA: Students will be eligible to appear for Group A examinations 5 months after the date of enrollment, provided all postdated cheques which are due so far, are honored on time. 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 postdated cheques which are due so far, are honored on time. 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.

The examinations are conceived, developed and administered on a rigorous and fair basis to bring out the best in the students and prepare them for challenging careers in the world of accounting. Examinations for the program are conducted four times a year in January, April, July and October.

All students are required to register for their examinations (including payment of fee) using the online facility only, as the operations of examinations department are fully computerized.

In order to become eligible to appear for the examinations, the students are required to enroll into the program on or before the following dates.

The examinations are generally conducted on Sundays in January, April, July and October. The schedule of the examinations is given below:

Passing requirements

• To pass in a Group, the student must secure an average of 55 per cent marks for the two Subjects in the Group, subject to a minimum of 45 per cent in each Subject.

• If the student secures 65 per cent or more marks in one of the Subjects of a Group, but is absent or fails to get 45 per cent in the other Subject of the same Group, the student will get exemption from the Subject in which he/she has secured 65 per cent or more. When an exemption is secured in one Subject of a Group, the student must secure a minimum of 45 per cent in the other Subject in subsequent attempt to pass the Group.

Diploma for Accounting Technicians: The students who successfully complete Groups A, B and C will be awarded the Diploma for Accounting Technicians (DAT).

CPA+MPA: The students who successfully complete all the six groups of the program will be awarded the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation by the ICFAI University, Tripura. In addition, the University also confers the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) degree, subject to University Regulations.

All students who successfully complete the CPA Program are eligible to seek membership in the CPA Council.

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:

*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.

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