The CPA & CMA Starter Kit decodes two US credentials Indian commerce graduates keep confusing: the post-2024 US CPA Evolution structure and the 2-part US CMA. This 10-page PDF prices both honestly in rupees, walks through the 150-credit-hour eligibility puzzle that trips up most Indian B.Com holders, and settles the CPA-vs-CMA question with a straight decision table instead of vague career advice.
What's Inside the CPA & CMA Starter Kit
| Section | What you get |
|---|---|
| US CPA overview (2024 Evolution model) | The redesigned exam: 3 mandatory Core sections (AUD, FAR, REG) plus 1 of 3 Discipline sections (BAR, ISC, TCP) |
| CPA eligibility for Indians | How to reach the 150-credit-hour requirement via B.Com + M.Com, credential evaluation, and which state boards suit Indian degrees |
| CPA fee breakdown (INR) | Line-item costs from credential evaluation to international testing fees — roughly ₹3.5–5L all-inclusive |
| US CMA overview & fees | The 2-part IMA exam syllabus and a first-year cost table (≈ ₹94,000 student / ₹1.1L professional) |
| CPA vs CMA decision guide | Side-by-side comparison on focus, exam parts, duration, cost, eligibility and career paths |
| State board & prep strategy | Why Indians pick Illinois, Montana, Colorado or New Hampshire, plus study hours and provider picks for both exams |
Five Facts From the Kit Worth Knowing Now
- The CPA exam changed structure in 2024. The Evolution model replaced the old four fixed sections with 3 mandatory Core sections (AUD, FAR, REG) plus 1 Discipline section chosen from BAR, ISC or TCP.
- A B.Com alone usually isn't enough for CPA eligibility. Most US state boards require 150 credit hours, and a 3-year B.Com carries about 120 — B.Com + M.Com typically closes the gap.
- US CPA costs roughly ₹3.5–5L all-inclusive for Indian candidates — credential evaluation, application, four exam sections, and international testing fees at Prometric India.
- US CMA is faster and cheaper — a 2-part exam costing ₹94,000 (student) to ₹1.1L (professional) in the first year, completable in 6–12 months versus 12–18 months for CPA.
- The choice comes down to career direction: CPA suits audit and US-focused accounting careers; CMA suits FP&A and corporate finance roles — and the kit notes both together make a versatile MNC profile.
Download the CPA & CMA Starter Kit (2026 Edition) — Free
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Who Should Download This
The kit is written for first-time CFA aspirants in India — students and early-career professionals who haven't registered yet. If you're still working out whether you're eligible, which window to target, or what the journey costs in rupees, this saves you the hours of scattered Googling that usually precede registration. Already registered? Skip straight to our CFA Study Roadmap for the week-by-week prep plan.
CFA Starter Kit: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — completely free. You share your name, email and phone number, and the 10-page PDF opens instantly. We use your details to send batch alerts and prep tips, which you can unsubscribe from anytime.
You need any one of: a bachelor's degree in any field, being within 23 months of finishing your bachelor's degree, or 4,000 hours of professional work experience gained over at least 3 years. The kit's flowchart settles your route in under a minute.
Early registration is USD 1,140 (≈ ₹96,000) and standard registration USD 1,490 (≈ ₹1,25,000) per level for Levels 1 and 2; Level 3 runs about USD 100 higher. There is no enrollment fee — CFA Institute scrapped it in April 2025. The kit breaks this down with first-time totals.
Four windows: February (Levels 1 and 3), May (Levels 1 and 2), August (all three levels) and November (Levels 1 and 2). For live registration deadlines and fees, see our CFA exam dates hub — it's updated every cycle.
Yes — the CFA Institute Access Scholarship reduces the registration fee to about USD 250 for candidates with financial need, and the Women's Scholarship supports female candidates. Applications close months before each window; the kit lists the deadlines, and our scholarship essay evaluator scores your application essay free.
More Free CFA Resources
- CFA Study Roadmap — week-by-week plans for Levels 1 and 2 once you've registered
- CFA Study Materials Guide — Schweser vs CFAI vs UWorld vs Mark Meldrum, compared honestly
- CFA Career Playbook — resumes, networking and salary negotiation for charterholders
- Deep dives on the blog: registration process, full fee breakdown and eligibility criteria
