CPA Exam : In terms of Money!
The term investment has been carefully chosen to summarize about the costs incurred for writing the CPA Exam, for obvious reasons.
Attention: Check here for detailed CPA process.
Summarizing below the cost incurred at each step in Dollar terms.
I) Check your eligibility
Zero cost.
Pro tip: Contact any CPAreview course provider, they will do this exercise for you.
Start your CPA exam prep
AICPA releases a 'CPA Exam Blueprint' (which consists of syllabus and pattern) but not the prep content, so it becomes imperative to choose a CPAreview course provider.
CPAreview course providers : Becker / Surgent / Wiley's / Miles / etc. They charge anywhere in between USD 1000 to USD 1500. All are good, my advice would be just take a trial of the aforesaid CPAreview course providers, before writing a cheque to anyone.
II) Get your evaluation done
Pre-decided jurisdiction - USD 225
Undecided jurisdiction - USD 350
Pro tip: If you are going for pre-decided jurisdiction, write an email to the State Board (suggested in Step I) to cross check if you are eligible. They don't charge for it.
III) Register with the eligible State Board
USD 150 to USD 245 (depending on the State Board)
IV) Obtain NTS
Exam fees: USD 833.6 (for 4 papers)
Pro tip: Prepare well and then choose a slot, re-writing an exam means, an extra cost of approx USD 208.4.
V) Book your slot at Prometric and write your exam
- Booking your exam slot in the US : No additional fees
- Booking your exam slot anywhere, but the US : International testing fees (in addition to the exam fees, mentioned in step IV) : USD 1,426.2 (for 4 papers)
Pro tip: Writing your exams in India doesn't give you much of an advantage with respect to the cost (of writing exam in the US), if you are prepared and planning to give your exams in a single shot.
You definitely will save USD 500 (approx) on account of travel and accommodation compared to 'writing exam in Dubai'.
Note: Licensing cost differs from state to state. Few states also require you to give Ethics exam, which costs USD 150.