Introduction
CPA being one of the most sought after accountancy profession in the world, naturally presents a plethora of opportunities to candidates across the globe. Moreover, with US –headquartered companies setting up their subsidiaries, branches and centres of excellence across the world, it presents candidates with ample opportunities to work in MNCs and global firms.
Opportunity to work with MNCs
Accounting professionals are required in every company. Just as much as a banking giant requires an engineer, accountants are equally sought after in tech giants like Google, Walmart, Microsoft etc. Wall Street giants like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup etc. have subsidiaries and branches spread across the world to cater to client service demands across the globe. As a result, every year they hire accountants hire in multi-fold numbers who help them maintain books & records for their operations worldwide.
You name it, and you will more likely than not find their accounting teams in India This, thereby, opens up a plethora of opportunities for candidates who have knowledge of International Accounting Standards and Principles like US CPA. Notably, almost 25% of Global Fortune 500 companies are US-based. So naturally, the demand and opportunities for people with knowledge in US GAAP is immense.
And but naturally, the traditional Big4s (PwC; EY; Deloitte & KPMG) have a substantial presence in every other country. These firms just not need accountants for traditional services like assurance and taxation, but also for financial advisory and financial transformation services.
Lucrative job profiles
In terms of the actual job profiles, below are some of the sought after and exciting opportunities one can get into post CPA qualification:
- Internal and External Auditing – helping serve clients globally with statutory, internal and special assurance services as part of global engagement.
For e.g. PwC offers statutory audit services to all JP Morgan-owned and controlled entities across the world. To facilitate this, it requires accountants versed in foreign financial accounting standards and requirements.
- Foreign Accounting – helping clients maintain their books & records compliant with relevant regulatory and accounting mandates.
For e.g. Employees of Goldman Sachs in India perform financial accounting for its entities based out of countries like Australia, Japan, Europe and etc.
- Business and Management Consulting – advising clients’ management team and strategic teams to transform business operations in achieving business objectives
For e.g. Deloitte India offers financial accounting services to a US-headquartered company
- Tax Compliance & Reporting – helping global clients ensure compliance with US Tax laws and related reporting like Fed Reporting
- Advisory services like tax, transaction (M&A) etc. – providing specialised advisory services like transaction advisory and taxation matters
- Assurance Services – helping serve clients globally to provide assurance on the effective operation of client’s systems within a well-controlled environment
For e.g. PwC offers assurance services to all Citigroup entities for which it requires employees globally
- Forensic – on the bank of financial irregularities and frauds, help global clients with growing demand for forensic audit services
Life at global companies
Global companies that set up their bases in India are just not large by revenue or profit, they are equally well renowned for their employee well-being aspects as well. Not only do they provide lucrative salaries which are generally above market rate but they also provide additional support in form of health, family and retirement benefits. Employees are provided with best of class infrastructure to work from in form of state-of-art corporate offices which would make one feel at home and luxury at the same time.
Companies these days are also planning to rejig their real estate presence by consolidating their teams under a single roof and expanding across cities to attract more local talent especially from tier II-III cities. Further, they have a very encouraging internal mobility options to choose from like teams, divisions, cities and countries, thanks to their large scale of operations.
Biggest employers of US CPA in India
