What is the Average Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary in India?

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is also known as Certified General Accountant (CGA) in India. CPAs are licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India to provide audit, accounting, and tax advice to their clients. The average salary of Certified Public Accountants in India varies according to industry, location, experience, education, and company size. Depending on the factors, they can earn anything between ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh per year.

Did you know?

Each country has its own accounting qualification, such as Canada's CPA Canada or Australia's CPA Australia. 

CPA Average Salary in India

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in India earns an average salary of ₹2,00,000 per year. Salaries typically start from ₹1,50,000 and go up to ₹5,00,000 per year. 

• CPA with an average of 1-4 years of experience has an average annual salary of ₹2,25,000 per year. 
• The average yearly salary for a CPA in India with 5-9 years of experience is ₹3,00,000 per year. 
• A qualified and experienced CPA with a 10-19 year track record has an average annual salary of ₹4,50,000. 
• The average salary for a CPA with 20 or more years of experience is ₹6,00,000 per year. 

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Certified public accountants are among the highest-paid employees in the accounting industry; this is primarily due to their education requirements and the knowledge needed to work at such high levels within business management. With salaries on the rise as they increase in job tenure, being a certified public accountant may be one of the most lucrative professions one can enter.

CPA Exam Details 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants administers the CPA exam (AICPA). Aspirants must pass the Uniform CPA Examination to get this widely recognised designation. The Chartered Accountant (CA) title is equivalent to CPA in India.

The CPA certification is a highly valued and adaptable credential for accountants and represents the highest level of proficiency in the accounting profession globally. 

One must have the required training and experience, preferably with certifications from accounting courses, to become a CPA-certified professional. Although each state has its own requirements for taking the CPA exam, the following are some common requirements:

• Graduation or an equivalent degree.
• A CPA licence requires 150 semester hours of college coursework.
• 1–2 years' experience working for any CPA

The CPA exam lasts four hours and is broken up into four sections. These tests are designed to evaluate candidates' knowledge and skill levels. A candidate must complete each section within the allotted 18 months for testing. During a single open testing window, you may take any section in any sequence. You are permitted to take as many tests as you like during the same testing period, but you are not permitted to take the same portion twice. You wouldn't be allowed to retake that segment of the exam until the following testing window opened if you failed one section of the test.

Fresher CPA Salary in India

• Delhi is the fifth-largest metropolitan region in India, where Certified Public Accountants make an average of ₹ 587,000 annually.
• Certified Public Accountants in Mumbai earn, on average, ₹ 602,000 annually.
• On average, certified public accountants in Chennai earn a salary of ₹ 491,000 per year.
• The average salary for a Certified Public Accountant in Hyderabad is ₹ 524,000 annually.
• A Certified Public Accountant's average salary in Kolkata is ₹468,000 annually.
• The average salary for a Certified Public Accountant in Pune is ₹ 507,000 annually.
• Entry-level salaries for Certified Public Accountants range from around ₹300,000 to ₹400,000 per year.

CPA Salaries Based on Company Type

The average salary for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in India is ₹559,898. This salary varies depending on the type of company that you work for. For example, CPAs working for accounting firms tend to earn more than those working for small businesses. The table below shows the average salaries based on company type.

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The typical Certified Public Accountant can expect to earn the following annual wages on company type:

• Professional accounting firms ₹1,000,000 - ₹900,000 
• Public Accounting Firms ₹800,000 - ₹700,000
• Large Businesses ₹600,000 - ₹500,000
• Small Businesses ₹400,000 - ₹350,000
• Non-Profit Organisations ₹350,000 - ₹250,000

Salaries for CPAs in Government

Certified public accountants (CPAs) in the government of India earn an average salary of ₹12,00,000 per year. The highest-paid CPAs earn more than ₹20,00,000 per year, while the lowest-paid CPAs earn less than ₹2,50,000 per year. 

• One must earn a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited university and then pass the Uniform CPA Examination to become a CPA in India. 
• Candidates can also qualify through work experience or equivalent education. 
• They must be certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, which is similar to passing any other exam that requires certification, such as being licensed as a lawyer or doctor. 
• They may use their title chartered accountant instead of a certified public accountant if approved.

Tips for Negotiating CPA Salary

As a certified public accountant (CPA), you have in-demand skills that businesses need. Your experience and expertise help you command a higher salary. Below given are some advice to help you negotiate the salary you deserve :

• Be prepared with data from CPAs reports to support your requests. Make sure it's the most recent data to reflect current market conditions.
• Find out what other people at your level make before negotiating your base pay or bonus percentage - usually your peers or those who work on similar projects as you do within the company. When figuring out how much money to ask for, start with 10% above their base pay or bonus percentage as an opening offer and then negotiate until both parties agree on an amount they're comfortable with.
• Determine your value by looking at the responsibilities listed in your job description; compare them to reports of positions held by others, and list any tasks where there might be an overlap between your duties and theirs. Listing your strengths will give you something to discuss during negotiations without disclosing information about the organisation or its finances.

What Has Changed in CPA Salaries over Time?

There is an average salary increase of 12% every 15 months for accountants in India. The highest-paid CPAs earn an average of ₹1,000,000 per year, while the lowest-paid earn an average of ₹300,000 per year. CPAs make a wide range of salaries depending on experience, location, and employer. 

• India's average certified public accountant salary has increased significantly over the past few years due to the growing demand for CPAs and the increasing complexity of financial reporting and taxation.
• A qualified Certified Public Accountant can expect their annual income to reach anywhere between ₹5 Lakhs and ₹20 Lakhs a year, depending on their working industry. 
• The demand for qualified Certified Public Accountants is increasing as businesses rely more heavily on data analytics software such as Excel and SAP.
• Home tuitions have also become popular among students who want to pursue a career in accounting. This trend has led to more people pursuing degrees in accounting, and as a result, there are now more jobs available for accountants. As such, employers compete to attract the best talent, so their salaries are on the rise. 

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Conclusion

According to research, n  the average salary for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in India is ₹559,898. The salary amount can vary depending on several factors, including location and years of experience. The industry also influences certified public accountant (CPA) salaries in India. For example, people working in accounting and finance tend to make more than those in other industries. The salary of a certified public accountant also differs by city. Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are some of India's highest-paying cities for CPAs. 

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