For years, you have worked tirelessly with one goal in mind – to become a certified public accountant in the U.S. Just when you are close to achieving your dream, you discover that the U.S. state boards do not recognize your international credentials.
This is a challenge for many international professionals who dream of working in the U.S. To help you not make the same mistake, we are here with a comprehensive guide that details all the steps you need to take for foreign education evaluation for CPA.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant is a major achievement in the United States. However, for those who’ve completed their education abroad, there’s an extra step involved: foreign transcript evaluation.
This process is crucial because it ensures that international academic credentials meet U.S. standards, an essential requirement for CPA candidacy.
At the core, it’s about verifying and comparing your foreign education credentials to U.S. education systems to determine your eligibility for the CPA exam.
When Do You Need A Foreign Education Evaluation For CPA?
If you have completed your education outside the United States, the courses will fall under the “non-domestic” or international category, regardless of whether you are an American citizen or not.
So, if you fall under this category, you will have to apply for a foreign education evaluation for CPA before sitting for the exam. Let’s say, for instance:
- Your courses were completed 100 percent in the U.S., then you are a domestic candidate.
- However, if you went to college outside of the U.S., then that coursework will be considered international.
- Even if 90 percent of your courses were in the U.S. and you just spent a semester studying abroad, then those credits obtained may also need to be evaluated by a credential evaluation service provider.
Why Is Foreign Transcript Evaluation So Important?
Foreign transcript evaluation plays a crucial role for several reasons. Here’s why it’s so important:
- To Obtain U.S. Equivalency: The evaluation process ensures that degrees, coursework, and academic credentials earned abroad are equivalent to U.S. standards.
- To Get Professional Licensing: Credential evaluation verifies that international professionals meet the same educational standards as their U.S.-educated counterparts. This helps them pursue licensure and practice in the U.S.
- Helps in Advancing Your Career: Employers and professional boards are assured that your education aligns with national standards. It makes you eligible for various roles and advancements in the field.
- Provides Transparency: It provides transparency for educational institutions, licensing boards, and employers regarding the quality and content of an individual’s foreign education.
- Bridges Educational Gaps: The evaluation can identify any gaps between an individual’s foreign education and U.S. requirements. This allows candidates to address these gaps through additional education or testing to meet the necessary standards for their profession.
Step-By-Step Guide To Foreign Education Evaluation For CPA
Getting your foreign coursework evaluated for the CPA exam is not at all complex but has several steps to it. Let’s elaborate on them for your clarity and understanding:
Step 1: Pick Your Jurisdiction
You first need to choose the jurisdiction from where you want to apply for your CPA licence and exam. This matters because educational requirements vary between different state boards, and you need to be aware of whether you have the right credentials.
Step 2: Select A Credential Evaluation Service In Your Jurisdiction
The next step is picking a foreign credential evaluation for CPA in your chosen jurisdiction. There are two ways to find out this information.
- Visit the NASBA Member’s page to get a comprehensive list of all the foreign credential service agencies operating in every jurisdiction. However, the page has been updated since 2019, which brings us to an alternative way.
- Check with your chosen Board of Accountancy to find the latest
- information on the foreign education evaluation for CPA.
Step 3: Submitting the Required Documents
Once you have decided on an evaluator, make sure they are a NACES member. Only registered members are allowed to perform foreign credential evaluation for the applicants.
Now it’s time to learn which documents you need to submit in detail. Different evaluators have different requirements. So, talk to the agency you have chosen to get a clear idea of the documents you need to present.
These documents mostly consist of the following:
- Your original Diploma or Degree certificate
- Your original mark sheet or transcript in the native language if it is not English
- If you have a PhD degree, then the scanned copy of your dissertation or thesis
- Official English translations of your degree or diploma and the mark sheets of the language are not in English.
Step 4: Submit The Papers And Pay the Fees
Mail all your documents to the agency and pay the fees. Once you have submitted the documents, the agency will start the evaluation process to determine if they match the educational requirements of the U.S.
Step 5: The Result
Once the evaluation is over, the agency will send a report to your jurisdiction’s Accountancy Board. If your credits and educational requirements match the criteria, then the state board will allow you to sit for the CPA exam.
Overcoming Common Challenges In Foreign Education Evaluation For CPA
The foreign credential evaluation process for CPA licensure can sometimes feel daunting. However, being aware of common challenges can help you steer clear of potential pitfalls. Here are a few frequent hurdles and tips on how to avoid them:
Incomplete Documentation:
Incomplete documentation can delay the evaluation process significantly. To avoid this bottleneck, here are some things you can do:
- Carefully review the requirements listed by the evaluation service and double-check your application before submission.
- Ensure all necessary documents, such as transcripts, diploma certificates, and translations, are complete and correctly formatted.
Choosing the Wrong Evaluation Type:
There are generally two types of evaluations available:
- Course-by-Course Evaluation that examines each course you’ve taken.
- General Evaluation provides a more general overview of your degree and educational credentials.
Given that not all evaluations serve the same purpose, ensure you select the evaluation type that meets the specific requirements of the state board to which you’re applying. For CPA, a course-by-course evaluation is mainly preferred over a general evaluation.
Improper Translations:
You must get your academic records translated if they are not in English. Poor or incorrect translations can lead to misunderstandings about your qualifications. So, Use a reputable translation service familiar with academic terms to ensure your documents are translated accurately.
Timing Issues:
Credential evaluations can take weeks or months, depending on your chosen agency. It is advisable to begin the CPA exam application process early to avoid missing the submission deadline.
In Conclusion
The credential evaluation process you follow can make or break your dream of working in the U.S. as a CPA. So, choose an agency for foreign education evaluation for CPA that is a reputable and experienced service provider and is a NACES member operating under the jurisdiction of your choice.
Starting your evaluation process with a trusted partner can make all the difference. We hope the steps detailed in the guide will help you find an agency and support your journey to becoming a CPA in the United States.
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