CPA Syllabus 2024 - Subjects wise Syllabus & Exam Pattern

CPA Syllabus 2024 - Subjects wise Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Edited By Sumeet Sudarshan | Updated on Apr 23, 2024 03:52 PM IST

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) prescribes the CPA syllabus 2024 on its official website. As per the new CPA evolution effective from January 2024, in the CPA exam syllabus 2024, there are three core sections. Candidates must also choose one disciplinary section out of three available options. CPA exam 2024 would be held as per the CPA 2024 syllabus mentioned in the uniform CPA examination blue print.

This Story also Contains
  1. CPA Exam Syllabus 2024
  2. CPA Exam Pattern 2024
  3. Skills Tested in CPA Syllabus 2024
CPA Syllabus 2024 - Subjects wise Syllabus & Exam Pattern
CPA Syllabus 2024 - Subjects wise Syllabus & Exam Pattern

CPA in India was started from 2021 onwards. The CPA exam registration is open throughout the year. Candidates aspiring to appear for the exam should carefully go through the CPA syllabus 2024 to prepare well. CPA syllabus comprises detailed topics and important subjects to be studied for the CPA exam. Read the article below to know about the CPA 2024 syllabus in India, including important topics, exam pattern, and more.

CPA Exam Syllabus 2024

The syllabus of CPA 2024 consists of three core subjects namely Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Taxation and Regulation. The disciplinary sections in the CPA syllabus 2024 include Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC) and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).

CPA 2024 Syllabus Details

PaperSubjectTopicsWeight

Core Section Papers

Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)

Financial Reporting

30-40%

Select Balance Sheet Accounts

30-40%

Select Transactions

25-35%

Auditing & Attestation (AUD)

Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and General Principles

15-25%

Assessing Risk and Developing a Planned Response

20-30%

Performing Further Procedures and Obtaining Evidence

30-40%

Forming Conclusions & Reporting

15-25%

Taxation and Regulation (REG)

Ethics, Professional Responsibilities and Federal Tax Procedures

15-25%

Business Law

15-25%

Federal Taxation of Property Transactions

5-15%

Federal Taxation of Individuals

22-32%

Federal Taxation of Entities

23-33%

Discipline Section Papers

Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)

Business Analysis

40-50%

Technical Accounting and Reporting

35%-45%

State and Local Governments

10-20%

Information Systems and Controls (ISC)

Information Systems and Data Management

35%-45%

Security, Confidentiality and Privacy

35%-45%

Considerations for System and Organization

Controls (SOC) Engagements

15-25%

Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

Tax Compliance and Planning for Individuals and Personal Financial Planning

30-40%

Entity Tax Compliance

30-40%

Entity Tax Planning

10-20%

Property Transactions (disposition of assets)

10-20%

CPA Exam Pattern 2024

As per the CPA 2024 exam pattern, each of the papers in the CPA exam will have multiple choice questions as well as task based simulations. The MCQs and task based questions would be divided as per the weight assigned to them in the CPA syllabus 2024. The duration of each section is four hours.

CPA 2024 Exam Pattern

PaperCourseDurationNo. of MCQsWeightNo. of Task Based SimulationsWeight

Core Sections


Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)

4 Hours

50

50%

7

50%

Auditing & Attestation (AUD)

4 Hours

78

50%

7

50%

Taxation and Regulation (REG)

4 Hours

72

50%

8

50%

Disciplinary Sections


Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)

4 Hours

50

50%

7

50%

Information Systems and Controls (ISC)

4 Hours


82

60%

6

40%

Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)


4 Hours

68

50%

7

50%

Skills Tested in CPA Syllabus 2024

The syllabus of CPA 2024 is designed to test the candidate's skills in four areas namely evaluation, analysis, application and remembering and understanding. The CPA exam syllabus for each of the section places a different weight to the four skills. Given below is the weight distribution of the skills tested in each section of the CPA syllabus.

Weight Distribution of Skills Tested in CPA Syllabus

SectionEvaluationAnalysisApplicationRemembering and Understanding

Auditing and Attestation

5–15%15–25%30–40%30–40%

Financial Accounting and Reporting

-35–45%45–55%5–15%

Taxation and Regulation

-25–35%35–45%25–35%
Business Analysis and Reporting-30–40%45–55%10–20%

Information Systems and Controls (ISC)

-10–20%20–30%55–65%

Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

-25-35%55–65%5–15%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the syllabus of CPA?

CPA syllabus 2024 has three core sections namely Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Taxation and Regulation and one among three disciplinary section which include Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC) and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).

2. Is CPA very difficult?

CPA exam is difficult in comparison to other professional exams but can be cracked with right guidance.

3. Is CPA better than CA?

A CPA-certified professional is a globally recognized designation. CPA is relatively new in India. CA course enjoys more popularity and considered more rigorous. 

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