Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Feb 6th 2016, 9:00 am
#1
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Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
I'm a chartered accountant (CPFA) in the UK and looking at getting CPA qualification when I move to California later this year. Has anyone got any experiences they can share?
I understand I'll need to get my UK qualifications translated and it looks like it will be enough to allow me to sit the exams. I'm guessing it's best if I study as much as I can before the move. Apart from that...I'm a bit lost!
I understand I'll need to get my UK qualifications translated and it looks like it will be enough to allow me to sit the exams. I'm guessing it's best if I study as much as I can before the move. Apart from that...I'm a bit lost!
Feb 7th 2016, 5:56 pm
#2
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
My brother has worked in the US as a Chartered Accountant and never went for anything else,
As far as I know there is no translation? Obviously some US practices can be different, very different.
what does your Employer require?
As far as I know there is no translation? Obviously some US practices can be different, very different.
what does your Employer require?
Last edited by scrubbedexpat099; Feb 7th 2016 at 5:59 pm.
Feb 7th 2016, 6:47 pm
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Hi - I'm not transferring with an employer, the 'green card' is through my wife (a USC). I'd heard that having the CPA qualification makes you more desirable in the job market and I don't want to stay unemployed for too long after I arrive!
The U.K. is not one of the countries that has a reciprocal arrangement and so my current (UK) accounting body has confirmed they can't help.
The U.K. is not one of the countries that has a reciprocal arrangement and so my current (UK) accounting body has confirmed they can't help.
Feb 7th 2016, 6:59 pm
#4
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Feb 7th 2016, 7:13 pm
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Hi Rete - thanks for link. I'd read something similar on the California CPA assoc. website. What they aren't able to tell you is how experience and eduction will convert. e.g. Will the study hours/topics in the UK qualification be enough? Also, will experience gained in the UK count.
I was wondering if anyone on here and been through the process themselves.
I was wondering if anyone on here and been through the process themselves.
Feb 7th 2016, 8:20 pm
#6
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Hi - I'm not transferring with an employer, the 'green card' is through my wife (a USC). I'd heard that having the CPA qualification makes you more desirable in the job market and I don't want to stay unemployed for too long after I arrive!
The U.K. is not one of the countries that has a reciprocal arrangement and so my current (UK) accounting body has confirmed they can't help.
The U.K. is not one of the countries that has a reciprocal arrangement and so my current (UK) accounting body has confirmed they can't help.
Feb 7th 2016, 8:48 pm
#7
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Re: Charted accountant (UK) converting to CPA
Good to hear from someone as sneaky as me! I looked in to that (as well as Canada & Australia) but unfortunately I can't. There are 5 main accounting bodies in the UK and only one has reciprocal arrangements and (you guessed it) it's not the one I belong to.
I looked at changing bodies in the UK then joining the Irish institute and then going for CPA. It's about the same amount of exam time as just sitting for my CPA...and probably more confusing for anyone reading my CV!
I looked at changing bodies in the UK then joining the Irish institute and then going for CPA. It's about the same amount of exam time as just sitting for my CPA...and probably more confusing for anyone reading my CV!
